Awarded Honourable Mention for Excellence in Exhibitions
Submitted by: Richard Cuddy, President of the MNO Credit River Métis Council
MNO Vice-chair Sharon McBride, the Honourable Michael Chan, MNO Credit
River Métis Council President Richard Cuddy and PAMA Acting Manager Marty
Brent at the 2013 OMA Awards of Excellence Ceremony.
Earlier this year, the Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives (PAMA) embarked on a project to represent the Aboriginal identity and history in the Region of Peel. Accordingly, an exhibition entitled, “We Are Here” or “On Nay Icit” in Michif, was created.
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was heavily involved in this project having three citizens part of the project committee. Representing Métis on committee were MNO Vice-chair Sharon McBride, MNO Credit River Métis Council President Richard Cuddy and MNO citizen Bill Morrison. The committee worked with the Vilnis Cultural Design Works to make the project a reality. Through innovative presentation and authentic voice, this exhibition provided visitors with an understanding of the Aboriginal experience over the past two centuries.
On November 7, the “We Are Here” exhibit was recognized by the Ontario Museum Association (OMA) for outstanding contributions to the Ontario museum community. The exhibit was awarded the Honourable Mention for Excellence in Exhibitions at the 2013 Awards of Excellence Ceremony in Markham, Ontario.
MNO Vice-chair McBride and MNO Credit River Métis Council President Cuddy attended the ceremony and accepted the award on behalf of all Métis. The award was presented by Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
The OMA awards are designed to recognize outstanding contributions to the Ontario museum community with an emphasis on innovation, to advance the museum profession in Ontario and to encourage high standards of excellence in the museum field.
PAMA generously donated a duplicate of one of the actual display panels from the exhibit to the MNO Credit River Métis Council where it will soon be on display at the Council office.
The “We Are Here” exhibit will continue to be displayed at PAMA with the intention to continually update the content, keeping the experience fresh and expanding the learning potential.