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In Kangiqsujuaq, on November 30, 2007, as part of the official opening of Pingualuit National Park, a permanent exhibition housed in the new park’s Interpretation Centre and designed by Avataq Cultural Institute was inaugurated. Premier Jean Charest cut the ceremonial sealskin ribbon in the presence of elders Amaamak Jaaka and Naalak Nappaaluk. Also in attendance were Maggie Emudluk, Pita Aatami, Mary A. Pilurtuut and Charlie Arngaq. News media covering the event included Radio-Canada, TVA, APTN, TNI, Nunatsiaq News, Makivik Magazine, CBC North and La Presse Canadienne.

The permanent exhibition had its genesis in the summer of 2002, when the Katavik Regional Government (KRG) requested the Atavaq Cultural Institute to draw up a list of cultural content for inclusion in the new park’s Educational Plan, then under preparation by the ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs (MDDEP).

Development of a permanent exhibition was the first stage in implementing the Educational Plan. Placing the utmost importance on faithfully representing the local culture, Avataq wrote a project proposal for the permanent exhibition in close collaboration with the community of Kangiqsujuaq. The project proposal was in turn submitted to and approved by the KRG. Over the years, the initial ideas laid out in the proposal have evolved to reflect the objectives and vision of the Service des parcs of the MDDEP, the governmental body responsible for overseeing the creation of provincial parks in Nunavik.

Five years have passed since then. In that time, four crossings were made by sea, three pre-exhibitions were held, and the more than 30 people directly involved in the project logged tens of thousands of hours of sustained effort and meticulous work. Local residents and many other individuals shared their (often exceptional) knowledge, photos, drawings and sound recordings with us, as well as helping with tasks of printing, packing and transportation. Here we have the final result: an exhibition highlighting not only the spectacular natural features of the Ungava Plateau and Crater, but also the history and culture, both material and immaterial, of the people of Kangiqsujuaq. Our collection of rare and special artefacts has a unique feature that sets it apart from other museums: all of the artefacts belonged at one time to individuals that are known and respected by local residents to this day. On display are objects that were created and used by Kangiqsujuarmiuts, including everyday household implements, works of art, and high-resolution photographs. Locals even donated some ancient artefacts so that they would be safely preserved and exposed at the Interpretation Center. This is a unique interpretive site – incomparable not only in Nunavik, but also internationally.

Highlights of the exhibition include:

• A kayak, everyday household implements, photographs and sculptures from Masiu Ningiuruvik.
• A large sculpture and several books by Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk
• A Resource Centre containing, among other things, several rare books dealing with the region
• A sculpture illustrating the story of Atungaq and representing the hare-shaped hill situated at the mouth of Wakeham Bay, near Kangiqsujuaq.
• An old qulliq (oil lamp) and ukkusiq (cooking pot) donated by Father Jules Dion, OMI.
• A petroglyph fragment from the Qajartalik area.
• Cores of lacustrine sediment taken from the bottom of lake Pingualuk (still to come).
• Photos of varied park landscapes
• Moulds of animal tracks
• 2 Dorset bowls, exceptional for their detailed edging and perfect symmetry

Acknowledgements and thanks are as great as the task itself :

• Thank you to our exhibition designers Line Villeneuve and Pierre-André Vézina; Thank you to our graphic designer Christine Lajeunesse;
• Thank you to our manufacturers ACME Services scéniques, Sylvain Malo, Marie-Joëlle Brassard and Nicolas Jobin;
• Thank you to our technicians Alain Lalumière, Yannick Leblanc and Fabrice Bucio;
• Thank you to our multi-media director Pierre Fauteux from Productions Train d’enfer;
• Thank you to Martine Gascon, Christel Durand and Laurence MacWay;
• Thank you to Laurent Gagnon and Benoît Montreuil;
• Thank you to all our editors and translators;
• Thank you to Bernard Saladin d’Anglure, Father Jules Dion, OMI and Father Robert Lechat, OMI;
• Thank you to the KRG, especially to Robert Fréchette, Michael Barrett and Nathalie Girard;
• Thank you to the MDDEP, in particular Gaétane Tardif and her team;
• Thank you to park staff Monica Pinguatuq, Markusi Qisiiq, Noah Annahatak, Jaaka Jaaka and Robert Fréchette;
• Thank you to the community members who generously participated in this project, offering us their help and support: Jessica Arngaq, Pasha Arngaq, Betsy Etidloie, Minnie Etidloie, Eva Ilimasaut, Alaku Jaaka, Attiituq Kiatainaq, Lucassie Nappaluk, Naalak Nappaaluk, Eyuka Pinguatuq;
• Thank you to our president Charlie Arngaq;
• Last but not least, thank you to Miguel Chew and Sylvie Gravel.