The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre (BCM&CC) is proud to be delivering a unique educational program in November in partnership with guest curator Dr Bimadoshka Pucan. In a BCM&CC media release, the program is designed to provide an ideal opportunity for students in Bruce and Grey county schools to learn more about local Indigenous culture and compliments the recently opened exhibit Voices of Chief’s Point. Dr Pucan will be sharing the knowledge of her ancestors which was recorded on wax cylinders in 1938 by Dr Edwin Seaborn. These recordings contain songs and stories recorded by Robert and Elizabeth Thompson of Chief’s Point Indian Reserve #28.

This program is an excellent chance for students to learn firsthand from Dr Pucan and the research that she undertook in digitizing the recordings, creating the exhibit with Museum London.

The work also led to the completion of her PHD dissertation on this project. Students will experience history brought to life as they listen to the oral histories told through stories and songs, a traditional means to pass down Anishinaabe culture. They will also learn how research can look different than an internet search and the types of technological advances that are being made in conservation. Students will reflect on this tradition and their own experiences by creating audio recordings. This educational program is geared towards students in Grade 6 through Grade 12.

This program, presented by Bruce Power, is available during the week of November 18 to 21, 2019, with space available for eight classes to participate.

Teachers are encouraged to call Education Coordinator Lauren Beer at 519-797-2080 or email lbeer@brucecounty.on.ca to reserve their class visit. The “Voices of Chief’s Point” exhibit was developed by Museum London in partnership with Saugeen First Nation, University of Western Ontario, and was funded in part by the Government of Canada. The exhibit is open until December 14.

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