A New Canada

 We start today with a model of the Indian Pavilion, which was part of Expo 67.

These display cases feature prominent Canadians of that time. Northern Dancer was the legendary horse that won the Kentucky Derby. Glenn Gould was the brilliant but reclusive classical pianist, and the case includes a pair of his gloves and one of his hats. Nancy Greene was an alpine champion skier who won gold at the 1968 Olympics.

The Canadian government moved forward with a Canadian constitution, signed into law by Queen Elizabeth in this historical photograph as the prime minister at the time, Pierre Trudeau, looks on.

Women's rights continues to be a preoccupation; as much progress has been made, there is more to go.

Our relationship with our American neighbours has long been an interesting one. Quotes by Kennedy and Trudeau accompany these displays.

The last portion of the gallery looks at various themes in Canadian history. Our darkest chapter is the first one, namely the treatment of First Nations peoples, and in particular the stain of the residential schools. The last of those schools closed in the 1990s, so this is something still very much in living memory.

It became the policy of the federal government after Confederation to establish residential schools as a way to get the Indian out of the Indian. The abuse and upheaval that would ensue would create damage spanning generations.

Not everyone saw it the same way. Peter Bryce was a medical doctor working as the chief medical doctor for Indian Affairs. He was alarmed by what he saw during inspections of residential schools in western Canada, calling it a national crime. He was largely ignored. Today his grave in Beechwood Cemetery here in Ottawa is a sacred place, even including a mailbox where people can leave letters.

This map of the country shows each location of a residential school.

But most poignant and heartbreaking is the testimony seen on a video display. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established to gather evidence, to hear the testimony of residential school survivors, and to make recommendations for making things right. Survivors talk about their experiences and the effect the schools have had on their lives ever since.