MONTREAL, CANADA.- Thanks to a grant from the Canadian Culture Online program of the Department of Canadian Heritage, Keys to History enters a fourth phase of development, devoted entirely to Aboriginal culture. In total, some 5,000 exceptional Aboriginal objects made and used by peoples from all regions of Canada will be digitized and made accessible online via the McCord Museum’s Website. They will become part of a database that already contains 125,000 images.

Starting in April 2007, through thematic capsules, games and learning activities, Web surfers will be able to discover clothing embellished with beadwork, headdresses, baby carriers, fishing and hunting equipment, and many other objects. They will even be able to create and post their own Web tour!

By making one of Canada’s largest and internationally recognized collections accessible electronically, the Keys to History—Aboriginal Cultures section aims to make “a real contribution to the building of long-lasting and meaningful ties between the members of diverse communities,” explains Dr. Nicole Vallières, Director, Knowledge and Collections Management. “It is an excellent way to highlight the McCord’s collections and to give members of the various communities, as well as elementary and secondary students and the general public, an opportunity to become familiar with this remarkable collection,” she says. “This project continues the McCord Museum’s long-standing commitment to the interpretation and presentation of Aboriginal history and art in collaboration with First Nations organizations,” adds Moira McCaffrey, Director of Research and Exhibitions.

The project, based on multiple partnerships, brings together several collaborators from the university, education and private sectors, as well as partners from Aboriginal communities such as the Avataq Cultural Institute, the Huron-Wendat Nation Council and the Conseil des Innus de Ekuanitshit who play a vital role in producing the content.