The Cultural Centre is in the process of building its collection of photographs, stories and other items that will help tell the story of life on the waterfront across generations. Additionally, we are proud to host other exhibits that showcase local history, contemporary life and and other cultures.
Recent Exhibits
Secrets of the Ice
June 21, 2012 to end of 2012
In the late 1990s, hot summers melted large patches of ice and snow on the mountaintops of southwest Yukon. Large concentrations of ancient caribou dung were unexpectedly discovered; even more surprising was the discovery of rare weapons once used by ancient hunters.
Over the past sixteen years more than 220 hunting-related artifacts have been discovered, each helping to tell a story about early Yukon people and their relationship to the land. The preserved remains of birds, small mammals and plants that have been frozen for thousands of years have also been found.
This exciting, and never before seen, public display of Yukon ice patch discoveries will tell an extraordinary story about these ancient archaeological objects in the Kwanlin Dün traditional territory and their important connection to Yukon First Nation People. On display will be some of the most unique artifacts ever found in North America.
Come and join us on this amazing journey of archaeological discovery!
Sewing our Traditions: Dolls of Canada’s North
March 5 to end of April, 2012
The Pan-Northern Doll Exhibit is a collection of hand-made dolls created by First Nations and Inuit across the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. It was originally presented at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The dolls represent the historical and contemporary perspective of Northern fashion, culture, and sport.
For this special Arctic Winter Games exhibition, dolls from the circumpolar north will also be included. Each doll has its own character and individuality that reflects the doll-maker’s personality and community landscape.
Together the dolls tell a story and provide a testimony of our unique culture of the North. From a brightly coloured cloth doll from Yamal Russia to painted Greenlandic dolls, to tiny intricate details like beaded moccasins and locally trapped fur and home-tanned hide, come and experience these truly exceptional examples of fine craft from across the north!
“Observers of children know that, for a child, anything can become a doll: a stick, a leaf, a bit of ragged leather, a peculiarly shaped stone, or tuft of fur. Beneath the delights of doll play is a more serious adult purpose: teaching children the skills required when they grow up. By imitating their mothers, little girls learn how to feed, dress, and care for a baby. They also learn the technical skills needed to make clothes for the family, an art that is for the most part a woman’s responsibility.” Jennifer Allen, curator of Sewing our Traditions.