First Fishers exhibit design for the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Nova Scotia.

1. First FishersAn exhibit recognizing that fishing has been an
essential part of life in Mi’kma’ki for 13,500 years.
Nova Scotia Museum, Binney 1979.146.1
Designed by:
Grant Murray Design
Client:
Fisheries Museum
of the Atlantic

2. I designed the “First Fishers” permanent exhibit in
association with a wonderful team of private and
public sector interpreters, writers, illustrators,
conservators, multimedia designers, fabricators
and installers. All contributors where from
Nova Scotia which goes to show how much
home grown talent we have here.

3. Exhibit introduction

4. “From HereWe Sprouted”
exhibit describing the
spiritual relationship the
Mi’kmaq have with the
place they live. Includes
an in-wall case containing
sweet grass, tobacco, and
sage burned in Mi’kmaq
spiritual ceremonies.

5. Exhibit describing the
Mi’kmaq“Way of Life”
including a video
presentation.

6. Exhibit describing the types
of weir fishing methods
used by the Mi’kmaq and
their orientation on river
systems.

7. Exhibit on the types of
Mi’kmaq fishing methods.
Includes an in-wall case
displaying replicas of
spearhead and ulu
artifacts supplied by
the Nova Scotia Museum.

8. Illustration and in-wall case
describing fishing with
a leister.We incorporated
a water effect light in the
in-wall case to enhance
the underwater feel of the
display of the speared
salmon reproductions.

9. Custom designed case with
humidity controls to match
conservatorial requirements
for the 100+ year old
Mi’kmaq canoe. Includes
a backlit interpretive rail
along the front of the case
discribing the canoe
making process.

10. “Peace and Friendship”
exhibit describing the
relationship between the
Mi’kmaq and the Acadians.
Includes a Mi’kmaq trade
pipe in an in-wall case.

11. “The Changing Landscape”
exhibit timelining the
displacement of Mi’kmaq
communities.

12. Ancient Nova Scotian
forest photo on the back
of the“From HereWe
Sprouted”exhibit.

13. An interpretive panel
focused on the future
of the Mi’kmaq fishery
and the influence
of Donald Marshall
winning his fishing
rights supreme
court case.

14. I have even more of an appreciation for
all we can learn and owe to the indigenous
peoples of the Maritimes, both past and
present, after working on this project.