Introduction
I would like to review the following book: First Peoples of Canada: Masterworks from the Canadian Museum of Civilization. In order to make my review deeper and broader, I decided to choose one of the reviews of the book by Brooke Penaloza Patzak and incorporate his point of view into my paper. In particular, he states:
Released in October of 2013 by the University of Toronto Press with the financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Book Fund, the volume was edited by exhibition organizers Nicholette Prince (former Curator of Plateau Ethnology), and Jean-Luc Pilon (Curator of Ontario Archaeology). (76)
The book provides the reader with information on the representation of the material culture of the First Nations of Canada, namely Indians, Métis, and Inuit people. The book was published based on artifacts from the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
The relevance of this book is identified by problems of modern history and anthropology and, mainly, by the need to examine the representation of artifacts of the First Nations as well as by the need to acquaint the reader with the past Canadian material culture.
Analysis
First and foremost, it is necessary to note that the book is divided into several parts, in other words, articles written by different people. The introduction part written by Prince and Pilon defines the goal of the book. Authors state the importance of history; they proclaim that studying the past, people are building the future guided by the rich experience of generations who lived many centuries before. No wonder that the most ardent lovers of history, the ancient Greeks, called it a “life mentor.” The study of history reveals the colorful world of the preceding reality. Observing old artifacts represented in the book, one becomes involved directly and entirely in the events sunk into oblivion that are reflected in the formation of modern human society. Personally, I agree with authors as I consider that history has no unimportant pages because every age humanity lived bears an instructive tutorial character. Some historical events tend to repeat to this day but in a modified form. History has shown the inability to change the past, but it proved the possibility of the repetition of some events.
Moreover, Prince and Pilon note the exhibition development speaking of the international cooperation between the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the National Museum of China in Bejing as well as museums of Germany, Japan, and Mexico, where the exhibition took place (Pilon and Prince 10). In the framework of the modern globalization process, it seems rather significant to share the experience with other countries. In addition, in the introduction, authors mention the structural organization of the book that is composed of two main parts: the first one consists of the description of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, its history and development, the portrayal of the First Nations, and the second one comprising the representation of artifacts and their description.
The next part of the book called A Bastion of our Past: a Short History of the Canadian Museum of Civilization written by Prince, Pilon, and Dyck states that the history of the museum began, in fact, even in the 1860s with a small showroom in Montreal that was open to the general public in order to demonstrate the unique collection of various minerals, biological specimens, historical and ethnological artifacts, and other exhibits collected by the Geological Survey of Canada. Besides, it is a known fact that the Canadian Museum of Civilization is a major research institution and has an extensive library along with unique archives. The distinctive combination of history, ancient traditions, and artifacts of the Canadian Museum of Civilization is a very significant part of history that allows getting acquainted with the cultural diversity of the First Nations of Canada.
The Canadian Museum of Civilization’ Collection of First Peoples’ Artifacts and Art part written by Andrea Laforet offers the reader the information about the development and material culture of First Peoples and their relations with the Canadian Museum of Civilization. She discusses that the emergence and formation of the Canadian state were as complex as its different climatic conditions and conflicting interests of people living on this territory. Features of the material and spiritual culture of this country were developing under certain social and historical peculiarities, in particular, assimilation of the cultural traditions of the local population of Indians with immigrants from European and Asian countries. Therefore, the panorama of material culture in the region is defined by the dominance of two nations coexisting as Franco-Anglo Canadians.
It is sometimes said that the culture of Canada is based solely on its constant quest to be different from its southern neighbor, the United States. However, there is a separate recognizable Canadian culture. They cite as an example, the preservation of traditions that came from the first French and English settlers, and a significant influx of Celtic immigrants in the later period of the country’s history. Since 1970, the Government of Canada holds the official policy of multiculturalism to make room for more recent immigrants from outside of France and the British Isles.
Laforet continues that at the time of the French colonization, there were several Indian tribes of different economic-cultural types and stages of development. Climatic conditions determined the occupation of Aboriginals, the specificity of their life, and social organization. The coast of the Western Pacific was settled by anglers; prairies along with the North East contributed to the development of hunting; on the shores of the Great Lakes farming was the most widespread occupation; on the Arctic Coast in conditions of the harsh climate, Eskimo unity was formed, its representatives were hunting and fishing. By the time Europeans arrived, the population of Canada was about 220-250 thousand people. The adaptation to the material culture of locals partially allowed newcoming settlers to adapt to the regional traditions and bring something new to them.
Moreover, Laforet pays her attention to the involvement of the First Peoples in the museum setting. She writes that the exhibits for the museum have been collected together with local residents (Patzak 78). Additionally, even the setting of the museum was created in accordance with the preferences of both parties. Thus, the museum complex consists of two parts connected by a common base. In the north, in the six-story wing of the Canadian Shield, the administration and storage are located. The building of the Southern Ice Wings is decorated with pillars, high glazed windows, undulating roofline, and copper dome. Not only the extensive part of the exposition of the Museum is located here, but also an ordinary audience, the Canadian Postal Museum, and Children’s Museum. Entering the building from the street, one would be taken straight to the lobby. Hence, he or she might observe a Great Hall. Tall columns of the hall harmonize with the totem pole.
The Hall dedicated to the art and culture of the indigenous inhabitants of the northwest coast of British Columbia. Several copies of the dwellings of tribal leaders are also presented here. In other galleries, there are both temporary and permanent exhibitions. In the Canadian Chamber on the third floor, visitors could go on an exciting journey through the history of the country. Laforet also “indicates the role of policy in museum practice and the significance of digitization in providing some amount of access to museum collection” (Patzak 77). Indeed, it seems important to protect museum exhibits digitally in order to limit access to them to some extent. For example, only an appropriate and timely photo and video should be allowed. About four million items allowing learning about the history of Canada and about world history and ethnology to a lesser extent are presented in the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Thereby, the main objective of this museum is the collection, study, and preservation of all materials that illuminate the human history of Canada and the cultural diversity of its people.
The concluding essay of the book, namely the First Nations of Canada by Eldon Yellowhorn is, perhaps, the most influential part of the book. The author discusses the notions of life of Indian, Inuit, and Métis focusing on their geographical dislocation and legal designations based on the 1876 Indian Act to the current lack of acknowledgment for the designation of First Nations. Stretching from Alaska to Greenland, the far North has long been the territory of the Inuit, nomadic hunters who lived in summer in tents from leather and in winter in a snow igloo. The harsh climate of the Arctic and a limited amount of food determined their lifestyle.
Precisely speaking, they settled in small family clans and gathered by the whole tribe only under certain circumstances such as the annual migration of reindeer. Among the indigenous population of Canada, there is also Métis, descendants of mixed marriages of indigenous Canadians and French-speaking European traders. To resolve issues of relations with indigenous people, the Indian Act to the current lack of acknowledgment for the designation of First Nations was accepted in 1867 (McMillan and Yellowhorn 127). It is the main legislation governing the relationships between indigenous people and the Government of Canada. The law covers mainly land relations, but also regulates the social structure, education, agriculture, the use of subsoil resources in indigenous territories, alcohol restrictions, etc.
Finally, the second part of the book is devoted to full-color images and comprises about 130 pages. Patzak notes that descriptions are “depicted against neutral backgrounds and range from a 10,000-11,000-year-old projectile point made of jasper to a brass heeled knife thought to be the result of 18th-century trade with Russia, and a wall hanging made by contemporary Inuit artist Victoria Mamnguqsua” (78). It is also should be noted that regional features defined the mode of life of the local population ranging from economic and residential buildings and ending with the traditional customs and artwork wigwam tent – “tipi”, or dugouts – “long houses” made from the bark and trunks of trees, huts made of stone and bone were decorated with wood carvings, stones, and bones. The strictness of life was combined with the desire to reveal its charm and enrich life with beautiful things (jewelry art, embroidery, weaving, weaving, pottery, and etching).
In addition, the Canadian Museum of Civilization presents a lot of clothing, jewelry, glassware, weapon, and totem poles belonging to the First Nations. One could notice how their life was arranged, their habits, and some scenes from their life, for example, hunting or angling. Plenty of archaeological finds reveal this information more and more. Exhibits also vividly depict the Vikings and their ships, ships other sailors, and their remains close to the shores of the Canadian land.
Speaking of the procedural design flaws, the thing worth turning one’s attention to the shortage of illustrative material such as diagrams, for example. It would be better if the article included some proved data or statistics organized in tables. Besides, the following flaw was noted by Patzak in his First Peoples of Canada: Masterworks from the Canadian Museum of Civilization review of the book: “the very basic index that catalogs the objects, unfortunately, fails to account for the texts, thus thwarting straightforward correlation between the two and lasting in an unnecessary disjuncture” (78). In my opinion, it was the very idea of authors who decided to create something new and attract the reader. However, due to its organization, the book might be written in different ways, for example, beginning with the introduction part as usual or from images to make learning more interesting.
The analysis of the data that was made by authors can be proved. It could not be easily argued and denied, as there is evidence of it being taken from reliable sources. Therefore, the historical information presented in the article appears to be accurate and trustworthy. The book has a flow and is easy to comprehend. It allows readers to follow the development of the First Nations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be stressed that the book is a very important specimen showing the material culture of the First Peoples of Canada. Authors are not just released the book full of pictures of objects of that time, but also suggested the reader important and helpful information. In particular, the book describes the history of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, its relations with the locals, as well as their life, and household items. In my opinion, the book would be very useful for scientists in their further studies as well as for the average reader. Moreover, the book is not only significant for the reader from Canada, or for someone who is associated with it, but also for all readers from all over the world. In the framework of the modern globalization, where cultural boundaries are erasing more and more, it becomes necessary to study and to know not only your culture but also the culture of the world.
Authors of the book pointed out the main ideas, changes, and other peculiarities that were connected to the Canadian Museum of Civilization and its exhibition. Consequently, one may conclude that the goal desired by authors was achieved because they provided an average reader with valuable and comprehensible information.
Works Cited
McMillan, Alan D., and Eldon Yellowhorn. First Peoples in Canada. 3rd ed. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2014. Print.
Patzak, Brooke Penaloza. “First Peoples of Canada: Masterworks from the Canadian Museum of Civilization.” Museum Anthropology Review 8.1 (2014): 77-79. Print.
Pilon, Jean-Luc, and Nicholette Prince. First Peoples of Canada: Masterworks from the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Toronto: University of Toronto, 2013. Print