Government House Launches Canada 150 Feature Exhibit

Released on May 18, 2017

It’s a special day at Government House in Regina today, with the official opening of the Canada 150 feature exhibit, Canada: Day 1 taking place on International Museum Day.  The multimedia, interactive Canada: Day 1 exhibit explores the immigration experiences of Canadian newcomers, from Confederation in 1867 to present day.

It details their first day of arrival, what and who they left behind, the people they met along the way, and the challenges they faced and overcame to make Canada their new home.

“Canada has been attracting newcomers in search of a better way of life for more than 100 years,” Minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission Christine Tell said.  “In that same spirit, new Canadians continue to help strengthen our social and economic fabric, and contribute to the beautiful mosaic of cultures that we call Canada.”

The exhibit is a mini, travelling version of a larger exhibit at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada produced the exhibits in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Immigration as a legacy project for Canada’s 150th anniversary, supported by Royal Bank of Canada Foundation.

The Canada: Day 1 exhibit at Government House incorporates text, images, artifacts and video to recount new Canadians’ journeys and first experiences in Canada.  Visitors can use an iPad to select and play the heartfelt stories of what brought eight Canadian newcomers to the province of Saskatchewan, and how they adjusted to a new way of life.

“I was excited to be coming to Canada, but it was almost three years before my whole family was together again,” White City Town Councillor and new Canadian Rebecca Otitoju said.  “At first we were concerned we would be alone, but it has worked out well.  We met new friends and there was a well-established community association and families from my homeland of Nigeria who helped us along the way.”

The exhibit will be on display at Government House until September 2017, and is available for viewing during regular museum hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.  Admission is always free, and all ages are invited to come explore a bit of history that celebrates Canada’s 150th anniversary.

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For more information, contact:

Art Newton
Central Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2215
Email: art.newton@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-1175