Exhibition Development,
Sault Ste. Marie Métis Heritage Centre
Know History is proud to support multiple projects that honour and share the rich history of the Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community. Through exhibit development, archival research, oral history, and collections management, our team helped bring Métis stories to life in meaningful and lasting ways.
Exhibit Development, Design, and Installation
Know History partnered with the Sault Ste. Marie Métis Heritage Centre to develop and install two permanent exhibits that explore the unique culture and history of the local Métis community. Located in a former Anglican church donated to the Métis Nation of Ontario, the Centre is now a vibrant cultural hub.
The first exhibit, Born Upon the Soil: The Sault Ste. Marie Métis Experience, traces the history of Métis presence in the region since the fur trade era. The second, Remembering the Powley Case, honours the landmark legal decision that affirmed Métis harvesting rights in Canada. A companion travelling exhibit was also developed and has since been shared across the country, including at Batoche and the Indigenous History and Heritage Gathering.
The Centre, which opened to the public in October 2024, also features a makers’ space for artisans, a gift shop of Métis-made goods, and a child-friendly “My Little River Lot” play area.
“
This Heritage Centre is a celebration of our Métis history and a place where our community and visitors can come together…It’s an investment that will contribute to the growth of both our culture and the local economy. And it is an investment in reconciliation, which first requires the sharing of truth. The exhibits at the Heritage Centre make that abundantly clear and stand as a testament to the strength and resilience of our people to overcome displacement, denial, and adversity.
– Mitch Case, Councilor for the Huron-Superior Regional Métis Community on the importance of the Heritage Centre
Archival Research and Oral History at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal
Commissioned by Parks Canada, Know History conducted archival and oral history research to document Métis and First Nations presence on and around St. Mary’s and Whitefish Islands, near the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. Originally completed in 1895, the Canal is a testament to engineering ingenuity and regional development.
Our research team explored how Métis families have lived on and used the land over time by diving into historical records found in libraries and museums. To enrich this work, we also spoke with Knowledge Holders and Elders, gathering stories and insights that brought these histories to life. These interviews were done in close collaboration with the Métis Nation of Ontario, helping us ensure the community’s strong and lasting connection to the land was accurately represented.
Collections Management and Digital Access
In addition to exhibit development, Know History worked with the Sault Ste. Marie Métis Heritage Centre to organize, photograph, and digitize their growing artifact collection. With support from Heritage Canada, we hosted community workshops to better understand the Centre’s needs and developed a custom collections management database to make hundreds of items publicly accessible online.
From fur trade-era artifacts to family photos and community documents, the digital platform ensures this important history can be preserved and shared with future generations.
