Saukiing Anishnaabekiing presents Our Stories (image from Grey Roots Museum and Archives website)
Grey Roots Museum and Archives has launched a new exhibit to mark National Indigenous History Month.
Community Historian at the museum Stephanie McMullen says the new exhibit, which launched June 2, is titled Saukiing Anishnaabekiing presents Our Stories.
“It is a collaborative exhibit between Grey Roots, and particularly Nyle Miigizi Johnston, who is an artist from Neyashinigmiing. It is an exhibit that looks at the roots of this region as part of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory and the process by which Grey County was created from that homeland,” says McMullen.
She adds the exhibit features works depicting different Anishnaabe creation stories, with panels showing history, the relationship with the world and everything in it, and maps showing treaties.
“As a museum, we have responsibilities to share history and to address some of that history that is bigger and wider then the stories of pioneers and settlers. That Grey County’s history stretches back centuries, that there were people here who had full, rich lives and culture and economy and relationships that have been here since the very beginning,” says McMullen.
McMullen says they also wanted to take advantage of National Indigenous History Month to open the exhibit and hopefully reach a broader audience.
Additionally, she says the exhibit was supported by their Indigenous advisory circle, who provided guidance and feedback as part of the process.