Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Encounter between the Aboriginal peoples and Europeans - 400 years of shared history

The 400th anniversary celebrations not only mark the founding of Québec City and the establishment of the first French colony in North America, but also commemorate the encounter between Aboriginal peoples and the first European settlers in America and the more than 400 years of history shared between them. It was largely through the inception and evolution of this relationship that the Canadian state as we now know it took shape.

The theme of the celebrations - The Encounter – is fitting, as it exemplifies the extent to which the first European settlers in North America depended on the ancestral knowledge passed on to them by the Aboriginal people they encountered, knowledge that in return allowed them to survive and adapt to the harsh climate. These initial contacts were to define entire chapters of Canadian history. Aboriginal people have made rich, diverse and valuable contributions to the fabric of Canadian life.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) has a special relationship with Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis. As we celebrate the 400th anniversary of Québec City, INAC wishes to offer Canadians and foreign visitors a glimpse of the vitality and richness of the cultures of each of these three Aboriginal groups. In collaboration with them, INAC is taking this opportunity to present the contemporary face of Aboriginal communities and peoples in order to help demystify (prejudice) perceptions and beliefs and instil a sense of mutual understanding and respect.

Highlights

What was done

  • From June 21 to July 1, 2008
    • Domagaya – The Meeting of Aboriginal Cultures and Digital Arts

      This activity took place at the Bassin Louise, facing Espace 400e from June 21 (National Aboriginal Day) to July 1 (Canada Day) and showed a one-of-a-kind Aboriginal multimedia experience.  In the giant dome there was a whole universe to discover where contemporary and traditional Aboriginal artistic influences blended. There was a 360° projection, keynote speakers and electrifying MixSessions evenings.

      For details about the Domagaya– the Meeting of Aboriginal Cultures and Digital Arts activities’ that took place, click here
  • From June 12 to September 1, 2008
    • Canada Space on the Plains of Abraham

      Visit the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada stand at Canada Space. There will be virtual games and resources at the stand, allowing visitors to learn more about Aboriginal people.
  • From June 12 to September 1, 2008
    • Overcoming Prejudice exhibit

      This exhibit is designed to raise public awareness of the prejudices affecting Aboriginal people and the real circumstances of their lives.  It is a joint initiative of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Canadian Heritage.

      The exhibit is presented at Canada Space on the Plains of Abraham.

What’s being done

  • From June 2008 to June 2009
    • Contemporaneous exhibition

      Discover 18 works of art by Canadian Aboriginal artists from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s National Collection of Indian and Inuit Art, which contains works produced by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists in Canada.

      The exhibition runs at theHuron-Wendat Museum in Wendake

What will remain

Participation by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in the 400th anniversary celebrations will have:

  • given visitors a better understanding of the relationship between the Aboriginal peoples and Europeans, a relationship that has played a key role in building the Canada we know today;
  • fostered interaction between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, while helping to eradicate certain prejudices against Aboriginal people;
  • presented the contemporary reality of Aboriginal life in Canada.