Mashteuiatsh – Yesterday evening, the Native Museum of Mashteuiatsh was honoured by the Canadian Museums Association (CMA) with an Outstanding Achievement Award in the Exhibition category for the exhibition Tshilanu Ilnuatsh (We the Ilnuatsh). Each year, the CMA Awards recognize and encourage excellence in Canadian museums. The Tshilanu Ilnuatsh exhibition stood out for its inclusiveness, innovation and relevance.

The exhibition was created to be a setting for transmitting and discussing Pekuakamiulnuatsh culture, while respecting its oral and intangible nature. Language and relationship with the territory are essential elements for understanding the identity, the personality and the values of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh. Visitors are invited to explore the exhibition through various experiential and immersive activities. In the central activity space, inspired by a fire pit under the stars, guides, storytellers and elders share their knowledge with visitors. Listening stations include videos of seasonal activities carried out by community elders with a focus on various themes such as lifestyle, hunting, fishing, food and clothing.

The concept of the exhibition was the result of consultations conducted over a period of three years with the Pekuakamiulnuatsh. It was then developed and undertaken in collaboration with the team from La Boite Rouge Vif in Chicoutimi and Construction Mitshuap of Mashteuiatsh. The consultation carried out with community members and the collaborative approach adopted throughout the process were essential elements for the exhibition and representative of its promotion of local cultural expression and expertise.

“We are honoured to receive this Outstanding Achievement Award for our new permanent exhibition Tshilanu Ilnuatsh. The pooling of local and regional expertise enabled us to mount an award-winning museum exhibition that truly highlights and promotes our culture,” declared Sylvie Langevin, Chair of the board of directors of the Société d’histoire et d’archéologie de Mashteuiatsh and of the Native Museum of Mashteuiatsh.

This major project was made possible by the financial contribution of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec, Heritage Canada, Indigenous Services Canada and the Fondation de l’héritage culturel autochtone.

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Information:
Raphaëlle Langevin
Native Museum of Mashteuiatsh
raphaelle.langevin@cultureilnu.ca
418-637-2574