Inuit Heritage Centre
In 1993 the elders of Baker Lake chose a fall caribou crossing on the Kazan River as a special place they would like to see established as a National Historic Site. Barnabas Piryuaq, an elder, said without a fall caribou crossing the Inuit of Baker Lake would not exist. People depended on the caribou for skins for winter clothing and meat for food to see them through the winter. There are many caribou crossings but the elders chose one on the Kazan River as a place to commemorate their history. That summer Parks Canada conducted an archaeological survey at the crossing and included elders and youth in the research. One evening, the group gathered for tea in the main cooking tent and discussed the day's work. Everyone was quite excited as many artifacts and interesting features were found. The elders made the work interesting, as they knew the history of the area and who used to live there. Barnabas Piryuaq said that the youth today have many other interests and do not listen to elders as they used to in the past. He said that when he and other elders die all their knowledge would be lost. Barnabas suggested a Heritage Centre be established in Baker Lake as a place where youth could visit and learn about their culture. He wanted a place where elders played the lead role in deciding how their culture would be exhibited. That way their knowledge will live on and youth will learn about their culture for many years.
On June 3, 1998, Mr. Romeo LeBlanc, the Governor General of Canada and his wife, Mrs. Diana Fowler LeBlanc, and the Elders of Baker Lake officially opened the Heritage Centre to the public. The Centre's staff is kept busy working on a number of programs that help to preserve, protect and promote Inuit culture.
About the Collections
The Centre represents the culture of nine different groups of Inuit that used to live in the Baker Lake area but have now settled in the Hamlet of Baker Lake. The collection consists of handmade traditional objects as well as artifacts and art on loan from other institutions such as The Canadian Museum of Civilization, The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, The MacDonald Stewart Art Centre and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. A room, for the elders, is included in the Centre for a place to meet, record oral histories and teach the youth about the traditional way of life.
Archives
In the process of setting up a photo archive.
Prints and Drawings •
Sound Recordings
Fine Arts
Collection includes work from Clarence Tillenius of Winnipeg.
Culture:
Inuit
Media:
Painting •
Film and Video
Human History
Collection includes traditonal costumes, caribou skin kayaks, etc.
Archaeological Objects
•
Costumes and Accessories
•
Oral History
•
Transportation
: Marine
Services & Activities
Visitor Services
Washrooms
Other: photo archive, resource centre
Publications and Products
Inuit Nunamiut/Inland Inuit, a book of oral histories of Baker Lake elders by Hattie Mannik and Kathy Bergquist. Tuhaalruuqtut, a CD of traditional Baker Lake music. Amarok's Song, a video directed by Martin Kreelak and Ole Gjerstad.
Other: books, video 'Amarok's Song'
Featured Images
Clarence Tillenius, from winnipeg, painted this fall caribou crossing diorama with instruction from the elders.
For © contact Inuit Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.
Iglu exhibit with a mannequin of a small girl and other items inside.
For © contact Inuit Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.
Ladies beaded amautiq
For © contact Inuit Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.
Cleaning a caribou skin
For © contact Inuit Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.
Caribou skin kayaks
For © contact Inuit Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.
