Indigenous Cultures

The Indigenous Cultures collection is composed of over 16,000 archaeological and historical objects covering nearly 12,000 years of history. Eloquent examples of the material culture of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people living primarily in Canada but also in regions of the United States, Siberia and Greenland, these items reflect the great diversity and richness of Indigenous cultures.
Explore the collection online

Clothing and accessories comprise over a quarter of the historic objects; the oldest date back to the late 18^th century while the most recent were created in the 21^st century. The collection also features everyday objects, mainly from the 19^th and early 20^th centuries: bowls, spoons, baskets and other domestic items, weapons of war, hunting and fishing equipment, materials related to transportation, as well as masks, drums and other ceremonial objects. Many items exemplify the creative integration of Indigenous forms and Euro-Canadian styles.

Objects from the Arctic regions represent one of the largest parts of the collection, thanks to their geographical and historical scope, while those from the Eastern Woodlands and the Northwest Coast are among the most outstanding for their age and rarity.

The collection includes over 8,500 archaeological objects, such as potsherds and stone and bone tools. These articles were found across Canada and the Northeastern US, but mostly in Ontario and Quebec.

Curator, Indigenous Cultures

Jonathan joined the McCord Museum team in 2020. His areas of interests include the social, political and cultural history of Indigenous peoples in Quebec and Canada, particularly wampum belts and the Huron-Wendat Nation. He is especially interested in the history of objects and collections over time.

Meet curator Jonathan Lainey and learn more about his expertise and his work.
Learn more

Curatorial Assistant, Indigenous Cultures

Celina Yellowbird is Nehiyawak and French. She belongs to the Alexander First Nation, located 40 minutes outside Edmonton. She studied at the University of Alberta, graduating with a B.A. in Native Studies in 2023. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Native Studies. Her master’s project focuses on missing and murdered Indigenous and two-spirit women and girls in the Prairies.

Learn more about her new position as Curatorial Assistant, Indigenous Cultures.
Read Press release

Indigenous communities seeking information about cultural objects from the Museum’s Indigenous Cultures Collection, please contact: autochtones-indigenous@mccord-stewart.ca.