Arctic Voices exhibit in Ottawa highlights northern diversity

Visitors to the Canadian Museum of Nature’s Arctic Voices exhibit will be able to test their knowledge of Arctic animal behaviour in this friendly, competitive quiz game where you need to be quick on the buzzer. This photo shows a family doing just that at the opening of the travelling exhibit in Sudbury’s Science North. (PHOTO COURTESY CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE)

People and landscapes in the Arctic are often the subject of well-worn stereotypes, but the Canadian Museum of Nature is hoping to change those perspectives.

Arctic Voices, a travelling exhibit co-produced with Sudbury’s Science North, features interactive components, videos, sound, photography and science to help southern audiences understand the diversity that exists north of 60.

“Arctic Voices shows how we are all connected to the Arctic. Visitors will discover a colourful land that’s actually closer to their own backyard than they might think,” says a Dec. 3 news release from the museum.

“The voices of the people who inhabit this region are an integral part of this exhibition, as they share their knowledge about the land and their unique culture.”

Visitors will be able to view rare Arctic specimens such as animal skulls and plants which are usually stored at climate-controlled facilities in Gatineau.

Museum experts will also be on hand to explain the kinds of research they do to understand the Arctic’s biodiversity.

And people will also be invited to try throat singing at a karaoke-style booth made especially for the exhibit with Ottawa-based Inuit performers Lynda Brown and Heidi Langille.

The exhibit has plenty to offer families with special hands-on areas for children, the news release says.

“Children can discover animal life in the Arctic by pouncing, hopping and crawling their way through a variety of fun activities. There will also be two touch tables with polar bear, muskox and seal fur; muskox horns and lichen,” the release says.

The exhibit will act as the forerunner of a permanent Arctic gallery which Canadian Museum of Nature curators have been planning for several years and which will be launched in 2017, to coincide with Canada’s 150th birthday.

Arctic Voices runs until May 3, 2015, and will then travel to science centres and museums across Canada and the United States after that.

For more information, visit the museum’s website here.