thumb|Indians of Canada pavilion.
The Indians of Canada Pavilion was a pavilion at the 1967 International and Universal Exposition in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The Pavilion, constructed as a temporary structure for public exhibition at Expo 67, contained works of Indigenous art and culture alongside historical and political commentary concerning the past and present issues facing the Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Organizers consulted with Indigenous leaders and advisors to create the narrative and content exhibited within the pavilion, content which proved to be unexpectedly provocative and controversial by both the Government of Canada and the general public. The exhibits emphasized an Indigenous view of history, which stressed the role the non-Indigenous Canadians and the Canadian Government played in the suppression of Indigenous culture and values, the assimilation of Indigenous children in government funded residential schools, and the history of colonialism and the impact of the doctrine of discovery on the lives Indigenous people from contact to the present day.
Exhibits and central theme
The Contents of the Exhibits were intended to reflect the Indigenous people's answer to the question: "What do you want to tell the people of Canada and the World when they come to Expo in 1967?".
A section near the end of the pathway through the pavilion contained photographs of indigenous people in modern occupations such as tradesman, craftsmen and farmers, markedly more upbeat than previous exhibits. This section was designed by a branch of Indian Affairs.
Response and media reaction
Reactions to the exhibits present in the Pavilion from the government, the public and the press ranged from outrage and shock to acceptance and accolade. The Globe and Mail and other newspapers complained that "Ottawa footed the bill" to embarrass itself. An article in the Montreal Star suggest that "the pavilion may raise some hackles in government circles". Other journalists took a different tack, claiming that the Pavilion was a "dig at the white man".
Positive reaction by the mainstream press was more commonplace. Some outlets considered the pavilion thought provoking,</blockquote>Reaction by Indigenous peoples was nuanced. One Indigenous leader thought the pavilion was a "True reflection of the Indian's spirit of dignity". While the then director of the National Congress of American Indians was impressed with the fact that "Canadian Indians may be 50 to 75 years behind [American Indians] in our relations with the federal government".
See also
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Canada)