Our Canoe Has Landed

The Nisga’a Museum will provide a fitting home for showcasing internationally significant Nisga’a artifacts. In addition, the museum will be a centre for research, learning, and creating new works of art. Multipurpose space will host cultural performances and provide international researchers with the opportunity to conduct original research. The Nisga’a Museum is destined to become a focal point for cultural tourism in northwest British Columbia.

The building covers 10,000 square feet and will cost $6.5 million. The structure’s design is inspired by a traditional canoe with oars in the water. The footprint (the shape of the floor) is that of a Nisga’a ceremonial food tray. The tall end of the building is covered in glass and will accommodate the 53 foot totem which is being repatriated. The building includes permanent gallery space, a classroom, conference room, gift shop, cafeteria, offices and a storage and workshop area. The building and site design provide space for indoor and outdoor cultural events. 

The museum will open in August 2010. Construction started earlier this fall. Preparing the site required moving 17,000 cubic meters of gravel from the Grizzly Hill gravel pit to the site. This was one of the largest earth moving projects in the northwest in recent years. Concrete will be poured this fall and construction will resume in the spring. Maximizing local participation during construction is an essential part of the project. This includes not only employment but also services and supplies.

During the earth moving, for example, every dump truck available in the valley was used, flaggers were local and supplies were bought in the valley. In fact most of the money spent moving the gravel was spent in the valley.

In addition to construction, work is also proceeding on the exhibit design. Fran Johnson of Ayuukhl Nisga’a has been working with the exhibit designers to develop the museum’s theme. The museum will hold about 300 artifacts in its permanent collection. These pieces are being repatriated from the Royal BC Museum and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

The museum will employ a full-time director and guides during the tourism season. The Capital Finance Commission is responsible for construction. A committee which includes Fred Tolmie, Edmond Wright, Clayton Harmon, Fran Johnson and Dan Schweng administer the project on behalf of the commission.

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