“Resiliency” exhibit unveiled at the Park House Museum

Park House Museum curator Kat Bezaire gestures as she speaks about the new “Resiliency” exhibit on the museum’s second floor. The new exhibit was officially unveiled last Wednesday morning and features the work of three Indigenous artists.

A new exhibit honouring the Indigenous community is now open at the Park House Museum.

The grand opening of “Resiliency” was unveiled last Wednesday morning at the museum’s Indigenous History Learning Gallery. Park House curator Kat Bezaire said the museum is “a settler’s site” and that it represents a role in the colonization of Essex County.

Museums are “deeply colonized,” she said but can change as times change.

“Museums can challenge their traditional views and mindsets,” said Bezaire.

Bezaire said museums should strive to be more inclusive sites, noting the Indigenous communities have shown resiliency in facing the challenges they have had for generations. That led to the name of the exhibit.

Three Indigenous artists are featured as part of the “Resiliency” exhibit. Those include Lyndsy Trahan of Empty Shell Designs, Mark Peltier of Native Wonders and Crafts and Zoe Litow Day of Wild Rabbit.

The plan originally was to unveil the “Resiliency” exhibit sooner, but building repairs delayed it from happening. Bezaire said roof and ceiling upgrades caused the second floor of the museum to be used for temporary storage and that is where the exhibit is located.

Bezaire gave credit to former curator Stephanie Pouget-Papak for coming up with the concept for the exhibit. She added it will stay in its current form for at least one year but the museum is aiming to keep the concept of the exhibit up as a permanent installation to “challenge traditional beliefs and have new Indigenous creators get an opportunity show their art. 

Some of the items on display at the Park House Museum’s “Resiliency” exhibit are in this display case. The exhibit will be on display in its current form for at least one year.

“We’re always open to Indigenous creators,” said Bezaire.

Theresa Sims, an Elder with the Ska:Na Learning Centre, said the Indigenous Peoples are creative.

“You give us something, we’ll make something creative out of it,” said Sims.

Sims said in the Indigenous culture, it is important to keep things going for the next seven generations. She added when she was young, it was illegal for her to speak her own language.

“We need allies,” said Sims. “We’re only three to four per cent of the population. We need supporters.”

The Indigenous Peoples were regarded negatively and are now being asked for their stories, she said.

The Park House Museum also plans on being involved in the next Truth and Reconciliation Day in Amherstburg, which is planned for Sept. 26. The museum is located at 214 Dalhousie St. For more information, call 519-736-2511 or www.parkhousemuseum.com. 

“Resiliency” exhibit unveiled at the Park House Museum

By Ron Giofu