Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day

Date: Jun 21
10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Where: Everywhere

Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day at The Rooms

The Rooms celebrates the rich and diverse voices, experiences and histories of Inuit, Innu and Mi’kmaq and 9000 years of presence in this place – today and every day.

Free admission to exhibitions all day.

Check out self-guided family activities in the Level 4 museum exhibition: This Place: Our Lives on Land and Sea.

Make Inuit snow goggles, play traditional string games, or try your hand at a traditional Mi’kmaq game of Waltes.

2 pm – 2:30 pm –Celebrate with Kilautiup Songuning-Strength of the Drum. Performance outdoors in the Fortis Courtyard (note: if weather is not suitable, the performance will move to Level 3 atrium).

2 pm – 4 pm

The Rooms will share in the excitement and showcase the art car, Whale Family on its grounds. Come by for a photo opp!

A unique three-way partnership between a local business (MINI St. John’s), a local non-profit (Business and Arts NL), and a Newfoundland artist (Marcus Gosse) launched on Tuesday, June 13, to help celebrate and promote works of public art across the province. 

Business and Arts and MINI received proposals from many artists across the province, interested in creating a unique artwork that could be printed and wrapped onto a 2023 MINI Countryman. The artist selected was Marcus Gosse. Not only is 

it a moveable piece of art, but the back window entices passersby to check out Business and Arts’ Explore Art NL public art app, which features 111 pieces of public art across the province. 

Marcus’ work is also available for purchase in The Rooms Giftshop. Check out the series of Colouring Mi’kma’ki: A Colouring Book of Mi’kmaq Territory.

About Marcus Gosse and “Whale Family”

Artist: Marcus Gosse (Mi’kmaq Name: “Ala’suinu” (“Traveller”))

Art Car Title: “Whale Family” (“Putup Ni’kmaq”) (Pronounced: Boo-doop Nee-gim-ock)

Description: This digital image wrap titled “Whale Family” (“Putup Ni’kmaq”) displays different families of humpback whales swimming and gathering together to display their love of Ktaqmkuk(Newfoundland). The designs featured on the SUV are Mi’kmaq Petroglyphs(Carvings in Stone), such as the Mi’kmaq Star, ancient appliqué patterns, double curve motifs, and the Mi’kmaq hieroglyphs(symbols which represent words) for “Forever In Peace”. Each double curve design symbolizes the life cycle of a person, or, living thing. The curve on the left represents youth; the centre middle age; and the curve on the right represents becoming a senior, or, an Elder. When each of these people, or, curves, are connected it symbolizes community connectedness, pride, unity, and support. It also symbolizes people holding hands, and connecting, not only physically, but, spiritually as well. The whale reminds us that it is not about the destination; it’s about the journey. We are all connected on this journey. As we travel, let us support each other spiritually, and have fun doing it. Msit No’kmaq(All My Relations-We Are All Connected).

Visit some of our new exhibitions, including Jerry Evans: Weljesi and Double Vision.