Two Arctic adventures: A comparison of the Arctic collections of Diamond Jenness and Joseph Bernard

Collections are narratives that when viewed as texts and placed within their own contexts can reveal the motivations of the producers, consumers and collectors of the objects. Collections are valuable only to the extent that their connection with people is established. These ideas are examined by comparing two Arctic collections: The Diamond Jenness Collection from the Canadian Arctic Expedition and the Joseph Bernard Collection. By analyzing the many factors that helped to create these collections it is shown that all collections provide information beyond their original intent. Reinterpretation of collections provides information on the transmission and creation of knowledge.