For a long time, the rest of the population has been very interested in Aboriginal cultures because of the different traditions, exotic handicrafts, languages and unfamiliar music. This is why non-Aboriginal people have studied Aboriginal cultures, have written about them and exhibited their art and handicrafts. Often, especially before the 1950s, the world’s Aboriginal cultures were portrayed as strange populations frozen in time.
Over the years, Aboriginal peoples have regained some of the rights that were taken away from them. With these rights have come greater confidence and a willingness to explain to the rest of the world who they really are. This is why many Aboriginal communities have created their own museums, to present history from their perspective.
Now when researchers and museums present studies or exhibitions on Aboriginal cultures, they make sure that the people speak for themselves about their history, their traditions and their lives today. That is why the Musée de la civilisation exhibition is called This is our Story: hundreds of Aboriginal people in Quebec helped create it.