Coming around the corner from where I left off yesterday, here is the view.
A photograph of Macdonald is here, with the original Centre Block in the background at the dawn of Confederation in 1867. Ottawa had already been chosen as the capital of the Canadas in the 1850s, with the original Parliamentary blocks erected. The original Centre Block would be destroyed by fire in 1916.
Pieces of that building are on display.
A large photograph is mounted on a wall showing how the first Dominion Day, as it was called for a long time, was marked in the town of Kingston, Ontario.
But the question of the indigenous peoples of the land would preoccupy much of the latter part of the century.
Artifacts here include knives and sheath, a hide scraper, and a harpoon head.
Another artifact is given a prominent place. The Blackfoot tribe straddled both sides of the border. This is an elk skin inscribed by a tribe member with images in a spiral going out, each image depicting an important moment of a year. These elk skins were called a winter count.
Close by are other artifacts, including a rifle and saddle. Horses, which gradually made their way into indigenous societies during the days of the Spanish far to the south, would change the tribes forever.
Found the elk skin fascinating.
ReplyDeleteYou remind me that when I was at primary school we had a book that had illustrations of such artefacts. For a while after that I was supporting the "Injuns" in western films and stories.
ReplyDeleteThe view coming around the corner is impressive!
ReplyDeleteI still prefer Dominion Day!
ReplyDeleteA friend and I visited Ottawa in 1967 and heard a little of the debate about changing it to Canada Day.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful exhibit, I like the inscribed elk skin.
Take care, have a great new week!
Esos artefactos de las vitrinas, son bastante curiosos y es una buena muestra, para conocer la historia de esa civilización.
ReplyDeleteYou have great museums there. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete@fun60: it's different.
ReplyDelete@John: it's odd how childhood shapes us.
@Gemel: that it is.
@David: both are good names.
@anvilcloud: the 60s were a time of debate.
@Eileen: thank you.
@Ventana: thanks.
@Iris: we're spoiled for museums.
...and they were big steps.
ReplyDeleteAboriginal issues have neve been solves since such imperfect treaties were made.
ReplyDeleteI liked seeing the elk skin with it's history of those peoples. THanks.
ReplyDeleteNice artifacts!
ReplyDeleteThat hide with the images is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful First Nation artifact photos ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteLiving in the moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
The elk skin is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteLots can be learned from the elk skin.
ReplyDelete@Tom: they were.
ReplyDelete@Red: true.
@Barbara: you're welcome.
@Bill: very much so.
@Sharon: I agree.
@Carol: thanks.
@RedPat: indeed.
@Marleen: true!
That skin has lovely pictographs.I like the colors too.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteOh, to be able to read that elk skin.
ReplyDeleteSome pictographs are more obvious than others.
DeleteThat chandelier in the first photo is quite something.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteSo cool they still have the original pieces.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteAppreciate your showing and telling, William. Adore North America history on both sides of the border as you say
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThose skin editing tools are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteThe elk skin is most intriguing.
ReplyDeleteVery much so.
Deleteartifacts are always fun. very unique. ( ;
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Delete