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.
Auks, Wolves and Whales
What fills the void when a species is no more? Legends, folklore, and history worth learning from. Come listen to the stories of the Great Auk, the Newfoundland Wolf, and Endangered Whales as they echo across the ages through their body and bones. Commiserate with the extinct, heed the calls of the endangered, hold ossified bones, and see how artists transform tragedy into hope for a sustainable future.
Tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and included in the cost of admission.
Join us at The Rooms for an inspiring drawing class designed specifically for teens. Whether you’re a budding artist or just curious about exploring your artistic interests, this class is perfect for you!
What to Expect:
Our experienced instructor will guide you through fundamental drawing techniques, from line work to shading. Each session focuses on a different theme, from drawing the harbor view to capturing the details of our natural history collection.
This fun and relaxed atmosphere is a place for teens to meet fellow teen artists, share ideas, and enjoy a supportive environment.
Materials Provided: High-quality drawing supplies will be provided.
Unlock your creativity, express yourself, and create beautiful art! No prior experience necessary. Let’s make art together!
Cost: $20 plus HST per session. 10% discount for Rooms Members. Reserve your spot by calling (709) 757-8090.
How do we teach our boys to become better men?
Set against the backdrop of his son’s first five years of life—from cooing infant to hurricane of a boy—filmmaker Justin Simms looks at modern masculinity through the lens of fatherhood as he asks an increasingly urgent question: How do we teach our boys to be better men?
There will be a Q&A with Justin Simms and Hasan Hai after the film.
This is a free event but a ticket is required. Please reserve your free ticket online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
About the Filmmaker
Justin Simms is a Newfoundland and Labrador filmmaker. His first feature film, Down to the Dirt, received the best Atlantic feature and best screenplay awards at the Atlantic Film Festival. His feature film adaptation Away from Everywhere (2016), based on the Chad Pelley novel of the same name, had its world premiere at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival as part of Telefilm Canada’s Perspectives Canada program. His non-fiction credits include Hard Light (2011), Danny (2014) and the short Hand.Line.Cod (2016), which premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.
Presented by The Rooms, Nickel Film Festival, and the National Film Board of Canada