Walking Across Canada

The third section of the Canadian History Hall is set on the upper level of this space, and picks up with the First World War. The way up to it is a long circling ramp that takes you around the main entrance space, with a physical map of Canada laid out on the floor. In the first case, you're looking at it as if from a southerly perspective. In the second, it's seen from the east, not typically how you see it in maps, but the familiar shape of Hudson Bay helps get you oriented.

Here we have a series of displays on the First World War. The timeline carries on from here.

The Irish artist William Orpin painted this portrait of our wartime Prime Minister, Sir Robert Borden, in 1919 after what was supposed to be the war to end all wars had ended.

The Canadian politician Tommy Douglas is profiled here in the museum; one of his signature hats accompanies the displays. Douglas was a giant of politics in Canada, federally and provincially, from 1935 until 1979, a democratic socialist who introduced socialized health care during his time as Saskatchewan premier, a concept adopted by the federal government later. Today's New Democratic Party, federally and provincially, is his legacy, and he was the first leader of the federal party.

1967 was the nation's centennial, and it is covered here with several items and displays. One of those is this dress. It was the centennial project of Marjorie Gehl, the daughter of a Canadian diplomat stationed in the United States. She sewed this evening dress, adorned with the fabric maple leaves, to be worn at various functions her family attended. Today it is here.

1967 also marked the World Fair coming to Canada in the form of Expo 67 in Montreal. The event is featured here with multiple photographs.

Close by, these display cases were about sports and cultural icons.

One of the display cases holds the cap and gloves of the late Canadian classical pianist Glenn Gould.

The other includes a 1964 Kentucky Derby trophy, among other items, for the legendary race horse Northern Dancer, a Canadian horse who also won the Preakness that year, and the Queen's Plate race here in Canada. He went on to sire many a horse afterwards.

This stained glass window is a copy of one that's been installed on Parliament Hill in recent years. Giniigaaniimenaaning (Looking Ahead) is the title for this window by the Metis artist Christi Belcourt, meant to recognize the survivors of residential schools and their families, part of the ongoing process of reconciliation between First Nations and Canada as a whole. 

As the story of the First Nations has been woven into the story of the country in the reorganization of the permanent galleries, something seen in how things are exhibited, so too is the case as this area starts to come towards its conclusion with a number of thematic displays. I leave off for today with these examples of First Nation artworks. We'll pick up here tomorrow for the conclusion to this extended series.