Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture Launched On Campus

Posted October 22, 2003


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 22, 2003 2003-10-24-OTHER

Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture Launched On Campus

Today, the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) in partnership with the University
of Saskatchewan's Division of Media and Technology (DMT) released The
Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture on campus
(www.metismuseum.ca). The Virtual Museum was designed on campus by a team
from DMT, and is the most comprehensive attempt to chronicle traditional
Métis history and culture on the World Wide Web.

The Virtual Museum is the culmination of years of research gathering and
resource production and is based on GDI's resolute desire to ensure that the
Métis have their own stories told in a medium that is user-friendly,
free and accessible to all those interested in Métis history and
culture.

It contains a wealth of primary documents including oral history interviews,
photographs, and various archival documents in state-of-the-art visual,
audio and video files. The site is divided into six sections: Indigenous
Voices, Métis Celebration, Our Proud Heritage, Learning Resources,
Artistic Expressions and Moccasin Telegraph. These sections honour
traditional Métis values: pride in culture, language and country,
respect for the past and for Elders, commitment to learning, zest for life
and the desire to live freely and independently.

"The Virtual Museum gives us another vehicle to present accurate historical
depictions of the Métis. Too often, we have been portrayed in a
negative fashion. This truly is an opportunity to allow the Métis
people across Canada to celebrate their history with pride and dignity,"
said Calvin Racette, GDI's Executive Director. "It also is a recognition
that the Métis people play an important role in Canada's history, and
this is another method of validation."

"It's projects like this that the University of Saskatchewan wholeheartedly
strives to support and promote," said Danielle Fortosky, Director of DMT.
"We are excited to be part of this truly unique project which will be used
by many U of S students and staff as well as people around the world."

"The Virtual Museum is GDI's gift to the Métis and larger
communities. For years we have received unwavering support from a variety of
educational, government, community and cultural stakeholders. The Virtual
Museum is our way of expressing our gratitude to our many supporters. GDI is
very proud of the Virtual Museum and of our partnership with the University
of Saskatchewan's DMT, who so ably developed this wonderful showcase of
Métis heritage and pride", said Darren Préfontaine, GDI
Curriculum Development Officer.

The Virtual Museum is a multi-year project, which will see significant
development in the future including an oral history symposium, more content
in Aboriginal languages, on-line courses, and partnerships with archives and
museums which house significant Métis-specific image collections.

GDI acknowledges funding support from Saskatchewan Learning, the Department
of Canadian Heritage's Canadian Culture Online Program, the Canada Council
for the Arts, SaskCulture and the Government of Canada.

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For more information, please contact:

Darren R. Préfontaine
Curriculum Development Officer
Gabriel Dumont Institute
Tel: (306) 657-5711
www.metismuseum.ca

or

Danielle Fortosky
Director, Division of Media and Technology
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-4259