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.
Events & Programs
Join us for an afternoon with Joe Goudie.
The land trappers of Labrador—primarily Innu, Inuit, and settler hunters—lived off the land by trapping animals like fox, marten, and beaver for food and fur.
Using snowshoes, sleds, and later snowmobiles, they followed long traplines through the wilderness, staying in small cabins or tents during the winter months.
Trapping was central to both survival and the fur trade, with furs traded at posts like those run by the Hudson’s Bay Company. The practice blended Indigenous knowledge with settler traditions and shaped life in Labrador for generations. Though less common today, it remains an important part of the region’s heritage.
Tickets: $12 plus HST. Free for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
About the speaker:
Joe Goudie was born to James and Elizabeth Goudie at Mud Lake, Labrador, in 1939. The family moved to Happy Valley-Goose Bay in 1943, where he graduated high school in 1958.
Joe began working in 1959 as Town Clerk, eventually serving as Town Manager until 1962. He then became manager of an automotive parts supply store until he moved on to become a radio announcer/operator with radio station CFGB Goose Bay until 1973. He then worked in community development with the Company of Young Canadians.
In 1975, Joe was elected as MHA for Naskaupi District in Central Labrador. During that time, he became the first Indigenous Minister to serve on Executive Council until 1985. He then worked in tourism development in Labrador and finished his career as Native Liaison Officer with 5 Wing Goose Bay in 1996.
Joe went on to retrain, learning how to build cedar and canvas canoes. He is now in the final stages of constructing an 18-foot canoe for two of his friends (the final canoe). Among many other accomplishments, Joe was a hunter and trapper and served as Honorary Coronal for 5 Wing Goose Bay.
He holds the Monarch’s Medal for over 50 years of volunteer work, which was presented to him by the Governor General of Canada. His involvement with the community culminated in his admittance to the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.