Learn about the canoe traditions of the Fijian, Squamish, and Haida people and understand the historical and ongoing importance of canoe culture for these Indigenous peoples. The site features interviews from Indigenous artists, canoe makers and others to encourage students to consider multiple points of view, and to question what is historically significant and what evidence is used to determine historical significance. It also hosts a range of evidence – photographs, maps, interviews, historical texts and short films. This website was developed by MOA in conjunction with The History Education Network/Histoire et Education en Reseau.
Learn more about the fierce opposition by the Heiltsuk Nation to the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and oil-tanker traffic in their ancestral waters. The site features films, photos of Heiltsuk territory, and community protests during the Project Review Panel’s visit to Bella Bella. The MOA installation (in Multiversity Galleries, Exhibit Case 23) shows the ancestral guardian of the undersea world, ’Yágis, swallowing an oil tanker trespassing in Heiltsuk waters. ’Yágis, the mask was created by Heiltsuk artist ’Nusí to invoke ancient Heiltsuk teachings and the law of Káxláya Gvi’ílás in order to protect their land and seas for the future.
This comprehensive online resource approaches the study of Islam through calligraphy. The site features examples of Islamic calligraphy, historical timelines, cultural connections, calligraphy writing lessons, and interactive elements including sound and visual aids. Discover the diverse voices of Islam by listening to community interviews. The resource section is designed for teachers and includes notable dates, a glossary, and lesson plans surrounding issues of stereotyping and diversity. Funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Learn about The Respect to Bill Reid Pole and the artists through behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and a video of the pole being raised. The Respect to Bill Reid Pole was raised at MOA in 2002 honouring the well-known Haida artist Bill Reid. The carving was led by Chief 7idansuu (Jim Hart) and features familiar crests of the Wolf of Tanuu, Raven, and Eagle. This site documents the creation of the Haida House at MOA and follows the process of carving and raising a pole. Funded by the Virtual Museum of Canada.
This site (best experienced in Google Chrome and Firefox browsers)—or MOA Sourcebook—features the stories of weavers in the First Nations community of Musqueam in Vancouver. These artists speak about the process of learning to weave and its ongoing importance in their daily and cultural lives. These personal narratives are accompanied by image galleries showing examples of the artists’ work. Funded by Canada’s Digital Collections Initiative, Industry Canada.
Instead of a paper catalogue, MOA produced an online magazine to accompany the exhibition Border Zones: New Art Across Cultures shown at the museum from January 23 to September 12, 2010. Here you’ll find video interviews with the 12 participating artists, artworks exclusive to the zine, provocative reviews of the exhibition, and a blog devoted to the idea of borders.
In conjunction with major seismic upgrades to MOA’s Great Hall, the exhibition Shake Up: Preserving What We Value explores the convergence of earthquake science and technology with the rich Indigenous knowledge and oral history of the living cultures represented in MOA’s Northwest Coast collection. Beyond scientific discoveries, Shake Up also puts into the foreground traditional knowledge of earthquakes and natural disasters that has been passed down through generations throughout many cultures. This website shows showcases the oral and visual histories, multimedia installations, and contemporary First Nations art and cultural objects shown in the exhibition.