Woodland Cultural Centre

Established in 1972 with the closure of the Mohawk Institute Residential School, the Woodland Cultural Centre has been collecting artifacts and celebrating Indigenous cultural heritage for nearly 50 years. While the programming has changed in response to the social-political climate throughout the years, the Centre’s mission has remained the same: to present, encourage, and promote contemporary Indigenous art to all members of society by showcasing the unique voice of Indigenous artists with exhibits that teach, provoke and impact.

The Centre is made up of several departments including Art, Education, Language, Library, and Museum, and programming consists of museum exhibitions, art galleries, educational workshops, festivals and other events.

At the art gallery, guests can see a rotating sampling of contemporary art by Indigenous artists from around Canada. The Cultural Centre strives to showcase the unique voices of Indigenous artists through compelling exhibitions built around the Centre’s yearly theme.

The museum’s collection is one of the largest Canadian facilities administered by the First Nations, and includes everything from documents to sculptures, furniture to ethnographic materials. In the museum space, permanent and temporary exhibits tell the stories of the Iroquoian and Algonquian people from prehistoric to modern times.

The Language Department and Resource Centre is dedicated to preserving, strengthening, and revitalizing the Indigenous languages. There is even an app with iOS and Android versions available for people to learn more about the Cayuga language.

The Centre also features an extensive library with books, journals, newspapers, and other archival and research content available that focuses on Indigenous people.

Education is a primary facet for the Woodland Cultural Centre, which hosts educational workshops for all grade levels meant to inform students about various aspects of Indigenous culture. Teachers can book a workshop to have their students learn about the music and dance of the Haudenosaunee people, try their hand at crafting pottery or clay moccasins, or engage in meaningful discussions about the stereotypes and racism Indigenous people across North America have experienced.

Along with the indoor exhibits, the Centre features a gift shop where visitors can purchase books, art, and other gifts, and five acres of grounds to explore, where there are frequently outdoor exhibits and events. The Centre also owns the building of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School, a physical reminder of the harsh assimilation practices Indigenous children had to endure. Be sure to book before your visit.