Hiding in Plain Sight: Discovering the Métis Nation in the Archival Records of Library and Archives Canada

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Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, "Hiding in Plain Sight," 2018/2019

First Friday opening on February 1^st, 2019 from 5 – 8pm with light refreshments and a guided tour starting at 6pm.  Tour is being led by Kim Verrier, Exhibitions Coordinator and Co-Curator of the MAG components of the exhibition.

Explore some of the rich history of the Métis Nation by visiting Hiding in Plain Sight: Discovering the Métis Nation in the Archival Records of Library and Archives Canada. The travelling exhibition is on display at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery from December 15, 2018 to March 10, 2019. 

This exhibition explores the portrayal of the Métis people—some of whom are “hiding in plain sight”—in reproductions of artworks and photographic collections, and in the accompanying archival descriptions. The exhibition aims to foster a better understanding of the history and culture of the Métis Nation.

The exhibition was developed by Library and Archives Canada in collaboration with the Manitoba Metis Federation and the Métis National Council, with the support of the Government of Canada.

The Métis Nation

The Métis emerged as a distinct people or nation in the historic Northwest during the course of the 18th and 19th centuries. This area is known as the “historic Métis Nation Homeland,” which includes Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, extending into the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Ontario, Minnesota, Montana and North Dakota.

The Métis Nation continues to thrive through kinship, story telling, material culture, music, dance and song. Supported by the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery and the Métis community, local Métis citizens have generously shared treasures from their personal collections for the exhibition, along with items loaned from several institutional collections. These mementos document the rich and vibrant history of Métis culture, and enrich the story of the Métis Nation conveyed by the historical material from LAC.

About the exhibition

Library and Archives Canada has a wide variety of archival documents pertaining to the Métis Nation, including textual records, photographs, artwork, maps, stamps and sound recordings. This exhibition explores the portrayal of Métis Citizens—some of whom are “hiding in plain sight”—in art and photographic collections and the accompanying descriptions, and aims to foster a better understanding of the history and the culture of the Métis Nation.

Library and Archives Canada would like to recognize the knowledge and expertise provided by the Métis National Council and the Manitoba Metis Federation in the creation of this exhibition.