Page 14 - 2025-2026 Travel Guide to Canada

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CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Canada’s Past
Comes to Life
Experiences Await at the Canadian Museum of History.
BY FIONA TAPP
Across the Ottawa River in Gatineau,
Québec, the Canadian Museum
of History offers a compelling
exploration of Canada, from the
Indigenous peoples who first shaped
the land to the diverse, multicultural
nation it is today.
Designed by Indigenous architect
Douglas Cardinal, the museum’s
flowing, organic design is inspired by
Canada’s natural landscape. Its curving
walls, clad in the same type of stone
used on the buildings of the Canadian
Parliament, are meant to evoke the
shape of the land, and the museum’s
expansive glass façade allows visitors to
feel connected to the outside world.
Be sure to enjoy the Zen Garden
before or after your visit, designed
by renowned landscape artist and
Buddhist monk, Shunamyo Toshiaki
Masuno.
One of the most striking features of the
museum is the Grand Hall, which houses
the world’s largest indoor collection of
totem poles. These towering works of art
set the tone for the museum’s narrative,
one that is grounded in the stories and
traditions of First Nations people across
the land.
Slowly circle the original plaster pattern
of Bill Reid’s stunning sculpture Spirit of
Haida Gwaii, a canoe carrying human,
animal, and supernatural beings. Also in
the Haida Gwaii Salon, be sure to stand
beneath Alex Janvier’s Morning Star, then
look up to the dome and the kaleidoscope
of colours presented.
A RICH DISPLAY OF
CANADIAN HISTORY
Wander through the Canadian History Hall,
where you’ll learn about key moments in
Canadian history, from the first European
settlers to the creation of the Canadian
Confederation, and everything in between.
The First Peoples Hall is a fascinating,
permanent exhibit where visitors
experience the histories, cultures, and
traditions of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Witness both the heritage and the ongoing
struggles of many Indigenous communi-
ties, providing visitors with a deeper
understanding of Canada’s diverse identity.
Look for the Sky Woman sculpture by
Shelley Niro (Hodinohso;ni).
THE INDIAN RESIDENTIAL
SCHOOL MEMORIAL MONUMENT
In the Four Seasons Salon, you’ll find the
Indian Residential School Memorial
Monument—a sombre reminder of Canada’s
dark history. Carved from red cedar by
Kwaguʼł master carver Stanley C. Hunt, this
monumental sculpture features 130
unsmiling children’s faces and a protective
raven overhead. It serves as a call for all
Canadians to bear witness to the harm caused
by the residential school system and reflects
the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.
SPECIAL EXHIBITION: RETRO–
POPULAR MUSIC IN CANADA
If you’re a music fan, don’t miss the Retro–
Popular Music in Canada From the ’60s, ’70s
and ’80s exhibition (June-January). Iconic
albums, vintage photos, and memorabilia
culled from Canada’s music industry
showcase bold artists like Joni Mitchell,
The Band and Céline Dion. See K.D. Lang’s
striking stage outfit and a guitar used by
Rush on tour—just two of the many
artifacts celebrating Canada’s unflinching
musical legacy.
A PLACE FOR REFLECTION
AND DISCOVERY
Additionally, within the museum, you’ll
also find the thoroughly enjoyable
Canadian Children’s Museum offering
interactive exhibits for young visitors,
while CINÉ+ showcases engaging
documentary films.
With its beautiful architecture,
immersive exhibits, and thought-
provoking monuments, visiting the
Canadian Museum of History is an
enriching experience for anyone eager to
understand the complexities of Canada’s
history, its diverse cultural heritage, and
the future we are all writing together as a
nation (www.historymuseum.ca).