Temporary Exhibits
Carrot Campaign
In honour of this year's Filomi Day’s theme, 'The Year of the Carrot', we have curated a quirky exhibition about the Carrot Campaign of 1976. This campaign advocated for a highway connecting Northern Vancouver Island to the rest of Vancouver Island. Promises of this road date back to the establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1840s.
Before the creation of the highway, North Island residents could only travel by ferry to the South end of the Island and Vancouver. In the 1960s treacherous logging roads opened for public use; this was not a solution. North Island residents came together to pressure the government to stop dangling the carrot (the highway) for votes, and to finally follow through and build it. As noted at the time by Campaign organizer, Roland Shanks, “That battered, half chewed, over-mature carrot that you clutch so tenaciously in your hand is mine! I want it now!”
Music of the North Island
Exploring the tangible and intangible aspects of the musical history of the North Island. Through a combination of online research, archival records, and interviews, we have developed a series of interlocking stories which you can now explore.
This exhibit was developed by summer student employees Brie Watson and Madeline Koski, with input from summer student Hyson Johnson and curator Robin Folvik.
We were also delighted to collaborate with the Sointula Museum (in particular, summer students Kezra and Michael), which will be hosting the exhibit next spring/summer. We are very grateful for their loaned items and the information they’ve shared.
We want to give a special thanks to everyone who participated in interviews for this exhibit. The story of a community is difficult to grasp without hearing from its members, so we sincerely appreciate the time you have offered us.
Lens On the North Island
In 2023, Madeline Kosksi, hired through the Young Canada Works program, digitized more than 700 images and worked with the museum curator to put together this temporary exhibit. Composed of photographs donated by Roland Shanks, former Editor and Owner of the North Island Gazette. Many of the photographs in the exhibit were from the 1970s. During the exhibit, community visitors were encouraged to record any stories they had related to the photos.
Please contact the Port Hardy Museum and Archive if you would like to view the collection info@porthardymuseum.com.
