A partnership between the Inuit of the Canadian Arctic and the Museum of Natural History in Lyon, France, is helping the Inuit learn the art of curatorship, and assisting the French museum in its portrayal of the Inuit culture. The exchange will lead to greater accuracy and sensitivity in the museum’s presentation of Inuit art and culture exhibit, and the Inuit hope to acquire valuable skills in curating their own collections. The museum’s exhibit includes the work of 61 Inuit artists from the Canadian Arctic, along with various Inuit artifacts. “There’s a lot about carvings and spirituality… The organizers wanted more about culture, real life and people [so they asked for Inuit participation]”, said an Inuit document center coordinator. Four Inuit participants will attend a session in January and May to learn how to organize, display, register and handle artifacts. One of the participants said that her desire to represent Nunavik in the Lyon program is a “natural extension of [her] cultural pride,” in the hope that her training will contribute to the preservation of Inuit culture. The exhibit is in Lyon until May 18, then will travel to museums around Europe.
