New Exhibits Opening at Lambton Heritage Museum

Grand Bend, ON – Lambton Heritage Museum is pleased to announce its reopening on Wednesday, August 4 featuring a new exhibit – Nnigiiwemin / We Are Going Home.

Nnigiiwemin / We Are Going Home examines the relationship between colonialism and the loss of land by the Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation. A response to the 25th anniversary of the “Ipperwash Crisis” of 1995, this exhibit introduces the concept of Chi‐Naakinigewin, or Natural Law, as a driving force for land and water protection. Using interviews, maps, moving images, soundscapes, and wampum, it illustrates the relationship between people, land, and Anishinaabeg Nationhood. Co‐curated by Summer Bressette and Monica Virtue with illustrations by Bridget George, this exhibit was originally organized as Gaawiin Ogiibagidenaawaasiiwaawan / They Did Not Let It Go by Museum London.

“This exhibit was originally presented at Museum London in 2020,” said Dana Thorne, Curator/Supervisor, Lambton Heritage Museum. ”We are pleased to have an opportunity to bring this exhibit home. It has been a pleasure to work with Summer Bressette and other Anishinaabe from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation in presenting this exhibit.” Admission to the Museum for Indigenous visitors will be waived for the duration of the exhibition.

Additionally, a virtual talk will be presented on Tuesday, July 27 with the exhibit’s co-curators. Monica and Summer will contextualize some of the exhibit’s cultural content by exploring themes like Chi-Naaknigewin, or Natural Law, and the use of the Anishinaabemowin language. They will discuss allyship and the ongoing process of decolonizing museums. Finally, they will reflect on the significance of presenting this exhibit so close to their community. The talk is free to all to attend, but preregistration is required.

To learn more about this exhibit or to register for the upcoming talk, visit the exhibit page on the Lambton Heritage Museum website.

Also opening at the Museum on August 4 is the bi-annual North Lambton Quilter’s Guild Show. This show, normally only presented over a weekend, is being extended to accommodate physical distancing and will run for two and a half weeks. Join us to explore antique quilts from the Lambton Heritage Museum collection as well as new creations from this talented Guild.

Nnigiiwemin / We Are Going Home will be open August 4 – September 26, 2021 and the North Lambton Quilter’s Guild Show will be open August 4 – 21, 2021.

To book a time to visit the Museum and explore these exciting new exhibits in person, visit the Lambton Heritage Museum website.

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Please contact:

Dana Thorne

Curator/Supervisor, Lambton Heritage Museum

County of Lambton

519-243-2600 ext. 3151

dana.thorne@county-lambton.on.ca