Arctic Treasures at Canada Northern House

Canada Northern House, dedicated to the Yukon, North West Territories and Nunavut has opened, and the exhibit is well worth the visit.  As you enter, passing the real  (stuffed) caribou, you’re greeted by a 1.82 metre Inukshuk and inside, past the shaggy muskox and the handsome white Arctic wolf you’ll see some of the excellent arts and crafts of the northern people.  You can even enter a contest to win a diamond, a gold nugget or a hand-woven tapestry.

This free exhibit represents the three territories of the North.  You can take a virtual reality sleigh ride under the northern lights, experience First Nations performers and immerse yourself in their culture.

Northern House is a showcase of culture, wildlife and industry, showing how the territories are endowed with untapped natural resources.  Brose the galleries and see sample of stone carvings, build yourself a tiny Inukshuk statue while you view a video. Also on display are products made of the muskox referred to by the Inuit as the “Umingmak”, meaning “bearded one”.  They are an integral part of the Inuit liefstyle, using muskox hides to make clothing, bedding and shelter.

You’ll also see the cute little  Amatunguak (Packing dolls), little animals wearing a parka in which to carry their babies, inspired by a group of local women in a Nunavat community.  The dolls are hand sewn and then dressed in a parka (amauti) in which a baby is placed.  They are personalized by the artists’ names stitched in Inuktitut.  Each doll as ha legend surrounding it.

The pillars and walls of Northern House are decorated with illustrations and paintings by northern artists.  Inuit printmaker Andrew Qappik has depicted the life and legend of the north. An Timmons “Arctic Winter Dream’ shows the challenge of noerthern people to survive the Arctic. Bill Nasogaluak, a world renown self-taught sculptor and painter originally from Tuktoyaktuk, NWT  illustrates northern life in “Our Northern Atmosphere” with three different northern tales.

In the sculpture gallery downstairs, the highlight is a monumental sculpture by Pierre Karlik of Rankin Inlet featuring an 8ft (84.0 c) narwhal tusk in a grante stone base titled “Survival”

You’ll come away from this exhibit with a greater knowledge of the North country, provided by not only the displays, but videos and by the conversations with staff, who themselves live in the northern territories.  And as you head for the exit, a massive white polar bear bids you goodbye.  But you’ll be sure to come another time,  because Canada’s Northern House was such a pleasant and educational experience.

CANADA NORTHERN HOUSE

609 W.  Hastings St.