Elders partner with Museum to launch Mikinak-Keya (The Spirit Tour)

Winnipeg – December 10, 2014 – In a unique partnership with Elders, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) today announced a new cultural experience exploring rights and responsibilities from a First Nations perspective. Developed with a group of seven Elders representing Anishinaabe, Cree and Dakota nations, Mikinak-Keya (The Spirit Tour) will launch in January. Visitors will spend approximately 90 minutes with the Museum’s Indigenous program interpreters, exploring how the symbolism in the building’s architecture profoundly relates to the Seven Sacred Laws and the teachings of Grandmother Turtle. “The Museum has received a gift from the Elders Circle Seven using the symbol of the Turtle to share their perspectives on rights and responsibilities,” said CMHR interim President and CEO Gail Stephens. “As the Original People, we are the roots of our homeland. Through our leadership we have come to share our knowledge about where all our human rights come from. Mikinak-Keya reminds us to live in accordance with the principles of respect, love, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility and truth. These traditional teachings show us that we are all related and equal,” said Elder Dave Courchene. “Mikinak-Keya, the Trail of the Turtle, will inspire Canadian and international visitors to understand Natural Laws and foster a new relationship with the Earth and each other.” This new cultural experience will be offered on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and significant dates, such as full moons. CMHR architect Antoine Predock and Dr. Frank Albo, an architectural historian whose research inspired The Hermetic Code tour of the Manitoba Legislature, assisted in the development of the project. Pre-registrations for the $39 offering are now being accepted. Please e-mail education [at] humanrights.ca for more information about availability and times. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights. Using multimedia technology and other innovative approaches, the CMHR will create inspiring encounters with human rights for all ages, in a visitor experience unlike any other.  More information on CMHR website. To read more detail about Mikinak-Keya – Trail of the Turtle (The Spirit Tour) and what it means, please Click here. Photo Courtesy Erica Daniels.  L to R:  Mikinak-Keya Core Team Members and Ankanootamagate (Tour Guides) – Ali Fontaine, Elder Harry Bone, Sylvia Dueck, Elder William Easter, Elder Henry Skywater, Elder Dave Courchene, Grandmother Sherry Copenace, Elder Peter Atkinson, Dr. Frank Albo, Chandra Erlendson.  Missing: Elder Robert Greene.