A Taste of the North: Canadian Nature Museum Hosts Edible Arctic Festival

Do you have an appetite for bannock bread, Arctic char, or muskox? If you’re unfamiliar with these dishes, swing by the Edible Arctic festival and immerse yourself in the culture, traditions, and culinary specialties of Canada’s North.

The festival will be held from April 3 to 7 at the Canadian Museum of Nature and will feature several programs and exhibits that demonstrate the vibrant Arctic life and culture. Activities on schedule include a scavenger hunt, story-telling, igloo-building, musical and art performances, and a photo exhibit about Inuit country food in urban areas. In addition, there are two days of programs for elementary and high school students that include an Arctic Youth Action Day and inspirational talks.

The event, which focuses on the cultural and scientific aspects of food in the Arctic, is supported by Nunavut Tourism and Adventure Canada.

“This is the second year that the Museum is presenting a festival honouring Canada’s Arctic,” said Meg Beckel, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature, in a press release. “The Arctic is a crucial region; it acts as an early-warning system for global environmental change. Through active scientific research in the Arctic, our museum serves an important role in contributing to the global record of knowledge. This festival will explore some of the science and also highlight some of the amazing culture and people from this unique land.”

Highlights of the festival consist of free museum admission after 5 p.m. on Thursday—catch a documentary screening of Thin Ice: The Inside Story of Climate Science at 6:30 p.m., and an “aurora borealis” light show in the Queens’ Lantern. On Saturday, there will be an “after-hours” special event for adults for which you may purchase tickets. There will be a 3D screening of The Wings of Johnny May, which is a collaboration from the museum and the National Film Board of Canada; it will be the first 3D screening of the movie in Ottawa. The festival culminates in a Taste of the Arctic gala event for Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami at the National Arts Centre.

The event promises education and awareness about the Arctic through fun activities; you will leave the museum more knowledgeable about the exotic land of the North!

For more information, visit: http://nature.ca/en/plan-your-visit/what-see-do/whats/edible-arctic-festival