Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, August 22, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The evolution of the North will be summed up in a video clip as the Prince of Wales Heritage centre creates a new multi-media exhibit welcoming visitors.

A relief map of the NWT, with video projections showing changes to the land throughout time, is being set up in the orientation gallery to give visitors an introduction to the territory.

Renovations at the museum are coming to an end, with just an upgrade needed to the main entrance for better handicap access, and a fire exit being added to the aviation gallery. With the end in sight, museum director Charles Arnold said he can now work on installing permanent exhibits in the renovated wings.

Arnold has been working with Yellowknife artist Terry Pamplin to populate the revamped space. While the renovations were underway, the majority of the exhibits at the museum were just temporary.

Pamplin said the direction they're taking is to focus on the evolution of the land in the NWT.

"I think it's an important thing to tell the story of the land," said Pamplin.

One of those stories will be the tale of Yamoria, a prominent figure in Dene culture recognized for bringing order to the land.

Another exhibit will feature the stories of various Northern animals such as muskrats, caribou and polar bears. Pamplin said the animals will passively tell their tales of survival and evolution on the land.

"It'll be like the land is telling you their stories," said Pamplin. "Showing how ingenious and how determined they are."

Leading up to this transition of exhibits, the building has undergone $9.6 million in renovations during the last three years.

The building had to close down last summer during the height of tourist season.

Arnold noted they held off on the last two changes until after the summer, not wanting to once again disrupt the museum's busiest time.

The renovations didn't bring any more exhibit room, but updated the museum's heating and electrical systems and brought a more modern look than its original design.