Temporary Exhibitions

Indigenous ingenuity: Timeless Inventions

Photos taken by Nick Ryma at the Kenora exhibition
An interactive adventure from Science North, Indigenous Tourism Ontario, and the Montréal Science Centre!

Indigenous Ingenuity is an exhibition by Science North that explores the ways in which the Indigenous peoples of North America use science and nature to explore and innovate. By observing, listening, experimenting, and sharing, visitors can experience and participate in Indigenous ways of thinking and experimenting with the world around them.

Indigenous Ingenuity celebrates the resourcefulness, diversity, knowledge and interconnectedness of our First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities through a mixture of culture and science.

Indigenous Ingenuity will be running from November 10-December 14; there is no entry fee.
Photo taken by Trevor Osmond at the RLRHC exhibition

Main Exhibit Gallery: TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Permanent Exhibits

Beneath It All; Red Lake's Mining Story

Since 1926, the Red Lake mining industry has dominated both the industrial and physical landscape of the Red Lake region. Red Lake boasts one of Canada’s top gold mines and has been home to 29 producing mines. Beneath It All explores the rich history of mining in Red Lake and the people and stories that make it what it is. Enter the mine and find out what’s beneath it all.
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The Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre would like to thank all the volunteers, interviewees and sponsors who made this exhibit possible.

Animal Tracks

The exhibit is intended to offer an additional educational component in the main hallway that is both related to Northern Nature Trading and is a stand alone interactive. The exhibit will give the audience a chance to look at animal footprints, learning what to look for when they are out in the wild.

They will also get a chance to explore what kind of paw made those prints, and how it matches up with the track. Additionally they will also have a chance to discover the other thing that all animals leave behind, fecal matter. Visitors will be able to pick up replicas of animal droppings and discover what kind of animals they came from and what to look out for when in the Boral Forest.
This project is made possible by funding from FedNor and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

We are open for trading Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.

Northern Nature Trading

In partnership with Science North

Northern Nature Trading is a new, interactive visitor experience based on Science North's Nature Exchange in Sudbury. Trading is fun for the whole family or for nature enthusiasts of any age!

Anyone can become a trader by doing a quiz, or by bringing in natural objects for trade (rocks, minerals, fossils, shells, pine cones). Please do not bring in anything living, furs, feathers, nests, or endangered species. 

Trading is based on points. We award you points for:

1. What you know about your item
2. What makes it different from similar ones
3. Its quality, is it clean, and in good condition?

Educational programming based on the Northern Nature Trading experience is available for school groups.

Current Multi-Media Exhibits

Listen to Naamiwan’s Dream and the Legend of Red Lake

(Available in English and Ojibway) 
Listen to descendants of Naamiwan (Fairwind) as they tell the extraordinarily beautiful and inspiring story of a very special drum displayed in a recreated dance pavilion. 

Experience the haunting sounds of Fairwind’s dream-dance ceremony.

Let an Aboriginal Elder tell you about the Legend of Red Lake, as he heard it from his ancestors.

History of Aviation showing on giant HD screen

Step back in time and travel through 85 years of bush flying history with legendary pilot Harold Farrington. Then, take a thrilling simulated Norseman ride over Red Lake during the traditional flyby at the annual Norseman Festival. Hold on to your seats!

Visit Hell’s Acres

Pay a visit to Gramma Gene Campbell at Hell’s Acres and listen to her remarkable story, richly seasoned with her unique brand of wisdom. 

Flip through an old scrapbook on a touch screen and learn about the lives of other remarkable Red Lake women. Listen to Lotte Bauza from Germany and Irma Deedas from Latvia share their touching stories about coming to Red Lake in search of a better life.

Meet a Legendary Prospector

Discover Red Lake’s gold mining history through the eyes of Cliff Harvey, a lifelong and legendary Red Lake prospector. Cliff will tell you hair-raising stories of hardship and survival, infected with the passionate drive that has kept him, and many others, looking for gold all these years.

Historical Exhibits

A One Way Ticket: Red Lake’s Immigration Story 

Since the Red Lake gold rush of 1926, thousands of immigrants and displaced persons from around the world have found their way to Red Lake to work in the gold mines. Read their stories, see how they lived, and learn about their contributions to the economic and social development of the community. 

View more stories on our immigration site.

Donor Wall Project

In 2004, the Heritage Centre launched a fundraising campaign to support special projects and exhibits that promote Red Lake's rich history. Since being unveiled in July 2010, the Donor Wall has become one of our most popular exhibits. If you are interested in purchasing a tile or want more information, please visit the Donor Wall page.

Three Centuries of Fur Trading: Hudson's Bay Co. Trading Post

Relive fur trading history through a replica of a typical Hudson's Bay Company trading post. The exhibit explains the history of the two most powerful fur trading companies, their battle to stay on top and the outcome. The relationship between Aboriginal women and the fur traders is explored and a special local section highlights the history of the Hudson's Bay Company and other fur traders in Red Lake. The exhibition features a Timeline which provides an overview of the national developments that affected the fur trade in Canada and their impact on Red Lake. 

Click to view the timeline

Red Lake's First Resident Dentist: Dr J.B. Aiken

Dr. Aiken practiced dentistry in Red Lake from 1934 to 1964.  His office was located on the Red Lake waterfront, across from the Lakeview Restaurant.

Before indoor plumbing arrived in Red Lake, Dr. Aiken had to haul water from the lake to sterilize his instruments. To maximize space in his tiny office, he stored supplies on a shelf above the chemical toilet which was concealed behind a curtain.  

He used the manual foot-pump drill along with the other primitive instruments on display in this exhibit.

“If the pain gets to be too much, grab my arm”, he’d tell his terrified patients before stepping on the foot pedal.  

Replica of Mel White's Barber Shop

Mel White arrived in Red Lake in 1934 at the age of 28 and ran Mel's Barber Shop for nearly 50 years. The building was located on Howey Street, next to the Lakeview Restaurant. 

On Sundays he would cut hair in surrounding communities. He pulled a sleigh loaded with his tools across the ice to reach his customers. 

At first, his wife Lil did not like living in Red Lake (she hated the mud and snow) so Mel suggested she go for a holiday. Years later, she recalled thinking, "Once I get out of this Godforsaken place I'll never go back!" Soon, she was back in Red Lake where she lived for more than 50 years.

Main Gallery Art Wall

Local Woodland artists' work including Norval Morrisseau and Joshim Kakegamic are showcased on our Art Wall when entering the main gallery. 

Among the display cases, you can find a variety of Aboriginal crafted artifacts such as moccasins, bead-work and textiles. Each case includes many drawers with more artifacts inside that are accessible to all.

Wildfires! A firefighting Adventure

Wildfires! is an exciting film adventure that reveals the science of fire from the first small spark to the intensity of a full-scale wildfire. Journey with a ground crew into the remote wilderness as they battle to contain the rapidly spreading fire. Ride along with the Air Attack Officer as operations are directed from a seat high above the blaze. Experience the drama from the cockpit of a CL415 Waterbomber as it flies through the smoke and flames to deliver its payload. Science North's Wildfires! captures incredible, never before seen, aerial and ground footage of one of the biggest fires to hit North America in decades, delivering a show that combines suspense, emotion, and information for a truly unforgettable experience.

Please contact us to request a viewing of Wildfires! (22:18 min) at the Heritage Centre.
Come visit us at the Heritage Centre to see many more exhibits!