NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA PARKS
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FORT ERIE – The Niagara Parks Commission, in association with Plenty Canada, recently announced the publication of Landscape of Nations: Beyond the Mist, a 256-page coffee table book featuring works from 17 authors, numerous photographers, mapmakers and artists, that chronicles the history of Indigenous peoples who have lived within the Niagara region for some 13,000 years.
This anthology reveals an unprecedented examination and presentation of the full spectrum of Indigenous life within the Niagara River corridor across millennia, bringing forward previously unknown insights and revelations from a variety of sources, including the meta narratives of Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek cultures, archaeological data and British Indian Department records, along with photographs, artwork and objects from the collections of numerous museums, libraries and archives. The group of authors who contributed to the book comprise the leading scholars and Indigenous knowledge holders with expertise on Indigenous history and culture within the Niagara region.
Landscape of Nations: Beyond the Mist was co-edited by Rick Hill, a renowned educator of Indigenous cultures, histories and arts who currently serves as an Indigenous Innovations Specialist at Mohawk College and Tim Johnson, Senior Advisor for Heritage and Legacy with the Niagara Parks Commission and Plenty Canada, Indigenous Advisor to Lord Cultural Resources and Executive Producer of the multiple award-winning documentary, RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World. Both are former Smithsonian Institution executives.
The book’s unveiling program was held at Niagara Parks’ Old Fort Erie Visitor Centre and featured remarks from the book’s editors, authors, and contributors and representatives of Niagara Parks, followed by a book signing and reception. Copies of Landscape of Nations: Beyond the Mist were made available for purchase at the event.
Following the launch, copies of Landscape of Nations: Beyond the Mist will be available for purchase across Niagara Parks retail stores and other participating locations across the region such as the Niagara Falls History Museum, Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, and Fort George.
For more information about Indigenous connections along the Niagara River corridor, visit exploretheniagara.com.
Quotes
“It is amazing to think that for some 13,000 years, my ancestors have been living within the beautiful environs of the Niagara Peninsula, and that my relatives continue to call this place our home. Now, we get to share our stories and the stories of this important place. The land continues to inspire us and as you will see, continues to sustain us as Indigenous peoples. We welcome you to our world,” said General Editor Rick Hill.
“I couldn’t be more gratified by the depth of content that the book’s scholars, Indigenous knowledge holders, and artists contributed to its pages. This magnificent book does something truly remarkable, it greatly expands understanding and comprehension of the deep Indigenous history along the Niagara River corridor while simultaneously revealing the place-based learning power inherent at heritage destinations throughout the Niagara Parks system, extending 56 kilometres from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario,” said Concept and Managing Editor Tim Johnson.
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