Extremes: Life in Subarctic Canada
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
16 May - 5 October 2008
With a
blistering -40ºc winter and a sweltering +30ºc summer, the Tlicho people of subarctic
Canada live in harmony with a remote and hostile environment that boasts some
of the most extreme temperature changes on earth.
Now the
National Museum of Scotland’s moving new exhibition Extremes not only highlights the traditional
skills and crafts the Tlicho have used to thrive in these harsh conditions but
also the beneficial relationship they developed with Scotland after they won
the rights to self govern their own land.
The
exhibition describes how the successful land claim led the Tlicho to rediscover
the collection of National Museums Scotland, which inspired them
to begin a journey to connect with their own past. Dating from 1858 to 1862, the
unique collection contains some of the oldest surviving Tlicho objects and
documents the people’s long history of working and trading in the 39,000
sq km Canadian territory.
Chantal
Knowles, Principal Curator of Oceania, Americas & Africa,
said:
“This partnership has been fantastic. The Museum has
been able to expand the current collection of fascinating Tlicho artefacts and
gained a greater knowledge of the objects. The exhibition has also been an
inspiration to the Tlicho community, encouraging them to revive and celebrate
traditional styles.”
As
well as exciting information on the developing relationship between the two
cultures, the original and updated collections will also be on display.
On
show will be artefacts which examine how the Tlicho have adapted available
natural resources to survive in their extreme surroundings and create beautiful
objects, such as a ‘hunting bag’ (c1860) made from the lower legs
of a caribou. The bag was used to preserve and protect dried meat from wind
burn while travelling.
Many
items on display, such as a ‘man’s summer outfit’ (c1859),
highlight the clear progression of European influences on the Tlicho people. The
everyday outfit is made from caribou skin and moose hide sewn with sinew and the
effects of increased European trade can be seen in the shirt’s high
military collar.
John
B Zoe, an executive officer of the Tlicho government, said: “We are trying
to stay faithful to our culture whilst also integrating into modern Canadian
society. This is why the National Museums’ collection became of interest
- it provides a material link to our past.”
12 May 2008.
Further information Website www.nms.ac.uk
The National
Museum of Scotland is currently undergoing a £46 million
transformation. For more information visit:
http://www.nms.ac.uk/royal_museum_project.aspx
<http://www.nms.ac.uk/royal_museum_project.aspx>
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