The Peterborough Museum & Archives has been honoured with the Canadian Museums Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Exhibitions category for their exhibit “To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales, 1860”, which was on display last year from April to November.
The exhibition showcased 13 quilled wiigwassii makakoon (birch bark baskets) lent by his Majesty The King from the Royal Collection. These remarkable makakoon, created by highly skilled women of what is now Hiawatha First Nation, were gifts to the Prince of Wales during his visit to Hiawatha on September 7, 1860, as part of a cross Canada royal tour.
Visitors were captivated by the intricate quillwork and immersed themselves in the cultural significance of the makakoon, reflecting on both Michi Saagiig and settler histories in the region. Indigenous-led programming included gallery tours, quillwork workshops by Hiawatha First Nation artist Sandra Moore, and Michi Saagiig language sessions by Curve Lake First Nation member Jonathan Taylor.
Gayle McIntyre, past Chair of the Peterborough Museum & Archives Advisory Committee, expressed her congratulations to the museum team, the To Honour and Respect Planning Circle, guest curators Dr. Lori Beavis and Dr. Laura Peers, and the Royal Collection Trust for this well-deserved recognition. She highlighted the exhibition as a symbol of collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices, perspectives, and institutions.
Peterborough Museum & Archives, a City of Peterborough service and facility, is located at 300 Hunter St. East, Ashburnham Memorial Park.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
