Raising the Totem: Exploring Northwest Coast Indigenous Cultures January 22, 2010

Coinciding with the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, "Raising the Totem: Exploring Northwest Coast Indigenous Cultures" opened to the general public on January 23. Organized by the Mitchell Museum and supported by the Canadian Consulate General in Chicago, the exhibit highlights the cultures of Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest.

The Vancouver Olympics, to be held in mid-February, are being co-hosted by a consortium of four Canadian First Nations of the Northwest Coast, whose history and culture will be showcased during the games. The
Mitchell, with its significant collection of Northwest Coast artifacts, felt that an exhibit about the region would provide museum visitors a closer connection with the Native peoples who will have a high profile during Olympic telecasts.

The exhibit will comprise approximately 50 objects, mostly from the museum's permanent collection, along with historical photos. On view will be ceremonial cedar masks, totem pole models, flat art, baskets,
rattles, and other items that help illustrate Northwest Coast spirituality, history, customs, and contemporary concerns. The displays "represent the best of the Mitchell Museum's Northwest Coast
collection," according to the curators.

The Mitchell Museum will be hosting exhibit-related programs, including documentary film screenings and children's activities. Details will be announced shortly, and will be posted on the calendar of events at mitchellmuseum.org.

Official Website: http://www.mitchellmuseum.org