Office of Terry Sheehan
Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie
MP Terry Sheehan and Ashley Larose, CEO Science North
Langston Day
MP Sheehan and Barbara Day
MP Terry Sheehan visits Indigenous Ingenuity federally funded travelling exhibition at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig
(January 20, 2023 - Sault Ste. Marie, ON) – Anishinaabewin Maamninendimowin: Pane Gii-Bite (Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions), presented by Indigenous Tourism Ontario and Science North, had its grand opening this morning at the Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. Sault Ste. Marie is the third stop of the tour, having already made stops in Kenora and Red Lake. Over the next two years, the exhibition will be travelling to approximately 20 communities across the north, presenting a clever and novel mix of science and culture intended to stir a sense of pride among First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities.
Guests at the event were treated to Indigenous drumming, followed by an opportunity to experience the exhibition. Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions is currently on display at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, 1491 Queen Street East, until Sunday, March 19. Stop by and see the exhibition for only five dollars, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The development of the customized 100 sqm Indigenous Ingenuity travelling exhibition and tour will reach communities across Northern Ontario from September 2022 to June 2024. Elements of the main 500 sqm exhibition have been redesigned into a tour-sized format capable of efficient travel, easy to install and host while maintaining an impactful and engaging visitor experience. In addition, this version adds new content inclusive of Northern Ontario and content that was developed specifically with guidance from Indigenous advisors. The northern tour of this exhibit will create a significant economic impact in the north through growth and diversification of the tourism sector, as well as job creation at Indigenous Tourism Ontario, Science North, and partner attractions.
The Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions travelling exhibition is proudly supported by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, and the Government of Canada. For more information about the Indigenous Ingenuity tour and upcoming stops on its tour, visit sciencenorth.ca/indigenous-ingenuity The Igloo installation in the exhibition is an original creation by the National Film Board, directed by Dan Thornhill, designed to bring to life the richness of Canadian Inuit culture. For more information, visit NFB.ca/Unikkausivut.
“Indigenous Ingenuity is an incredible and unique exhibit. We’re excited to welcome another Science North exhibition to our community. The Indigenous Ingenuity travelling exhibition highlights the critical contributions, knowledge, and inventions of Indigenous Peoples. Science North has been very kind to us in Sault Ste. Marie, regularly bringing exciting festivals and exhibitions. This will also be a great opportunity for our young students to also see the Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, one of turtle island’s newest post-secondary institutions. We look forward to seeing their continued growth in the community.”– Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour
“Thank you to Indigenous Tourism Ontario, Science North and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig for partnering to bring the Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions exhibition to Sault Ste Marie. This is a fantastic opportunity for our community and the surrounding area to interactively experience the culture and ingenuity of the Indigenous, Inuit and Métis communities.” –Ross Romano, Chief Government Whip and Member Provincial Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie
“I encourage community members to check out Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions while it is in Sault Ste. Marie. I appreciate Science North’s dedication to continue finding new ways to expand its programming across the north. Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig is preserving and promoting Indigenous culture in our community, and it is tremendous choice to host the travelling exhibition.” - Matthew Shoemaker, Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie
“Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG) is a teaching and research centre of excellence in Anishinaabe education, and one of nine Indigenous Institutes of higher learning that are legally recognized in Ontario. The Indigenous Ingenuity exhibit directly aligns with our vision here at SKG as we aim to educate and preserve the integrity of Anishinaabe knowledge and worldviews. It is with great excitement that we welcome this Exhibit to our space at SKG, opening our doors to students and community alike to learn the important role Indigenous people have contributed throughout history.” – Dianne Roach, Director of Operations, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig
“We are excited that people will learn about many of the crucial contributions, innovations and methods that Indigenous peoples have created and shared with the world,” said Kevin Eshkawkogan, CEO of Indigenous Tourism Ontario. “It’s an important step to see tourist attractions like Science North feature exhibitions that highlight Indigenous successes.”
“Science North has brought many exciting festivals, events, and exhibitions to Sault Ste. Marie. We are pleased to bring another one-of-a-kind exhibition to this community. Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions will help educate, highlight, and share the contributions of Indigenous peoples. I want to highlight the incredible team at Indigenous Tourism Ontario for all their efforts in bringing this exhibition to life. Thank you also to the amazing team from Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig for hosting this exhibition. We’re grateful for the support of the Sault Ste. Marie community and proud that Science North has a strong presence here.” - Ashley Larose MSc, CEO – Science North
About Indigenous Tourism Ontario
Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) is the province’s first and only dedicated Indigenous tourism organization. They are a membership-based non-profit whose mission it is to improve the economic conditions of Indigenous Peoples through the provision of meaningful financial, marketing, industry guidance and support, resources, and advocacy work to Indigenous tourism owners and operators across the province. ITO is recognized by the Chiefs of Ontario (COO), and Government of Ontario organizations and ministries for their work therein. For more information about ITO and their initiatives please visit indigenoustourismontario.ca.
About Science North
Science North is Northern Ontario’s most popular tourist attraction and an educational resource for children and adults across the province. Science North maintains the second – and eighth-largest science centres in Canada. Science North’s attractions include a science centre, IMAX® theatre, digital Planetarium, butterfly gallery, special exhibits hall, and Dynamic Earth: Home of the Big Nickel. Science North, in partnership with Laurentian University, offers North America’s first and only comprehensive Science Communication program, a joint master's and Graduate Diploma program. As part of its mandate, Science North provides science experiences throughout Northern Ontario including outreach to schools and festivals, summer science camps and more, and has a permanent base in Thunder Bay providing outreach to the Northwest. Science North is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For information, visit sciencenorth.ca.
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For media enquiries, contact:
Sandra Paul
Office of MP Terry Sheehan
705-941-2901
