| This thesis, on the representation of Aboriginal history and culture in Ontario's small community museums centers on two case studies, The Perth Museum and Matheson House and the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, in order to discuss the extent to which post-colonial, pluralistic, and collaborative museological strategies have been adopted by these institutions in representing First Peoples to their respective audiences. It argues that meta-narratives of progress and evolution continue to inform exhibitions of indigenous history in these museums, frequently using Aboriginal history as a preface to settler history. Furthermore, this thesis demonstrates that in spite of changing scholarly and professional attitudes towards the role of the museum which advocate a shift away from Eurocentric tropes, small community museums' involvement with community economic incentives such as 'heritage tourism' make these institutions hesitant to follow suit. Ultimately, this adherence to dated modes of representation is harmful to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community relations in this time of renewed land claim activity in the province. |
