Exploring the Unseen Narratives
First World War Comes to Life travelling exhibition
A group of people standing in front of an old ambulance at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
The origins of Encounters with Canada
Encounters with Canada was a national youth forum that brought groups of roughly 100 teenagers from all over the country to Ottawa, throughout the school year, for week-long conferences structured around particular themes. It was one of the country’s largest youth-exchange conferences, and touched the lives of more than 113,000 teens in Canada, not to mention thousands of volunteers.
It started out as the brainchild of the organization that became the Council for Canadian Unity. The Council was a pan-Canadian organization born in the mid-1960s. Quebec’s Quiet Revolution was stirring nationalist and separatist sentiment in the province, causing concern within federalist circles. Concerned primarily with the perceived threat of Quebec separation, the Council worked actively for the “No” side during the two Quebec referendums. It also sought to initiate programs and initiatives to repair what it saw as frayed national identity and unity.
In 1978, following a national survey showing support for national-scale youth programs that were designed to foster Canadian identity and build knowledge of the country, the Council began planning just such a program.
First World War Comes to Life travelling exhibition
A man in a military uniform at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
Closure and collection
“It was a very painful but necessary decision to close the program for good,” says Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO of Historica Canada. “It was costing us many thousands of dollars a month to maintain our facilities during the shutdown, without our usual sources of revenue. We had no idea when we could open our doors again, or who would be willing to come even if we could, given all the health concerns. As a charitable organization, we couldn’t afford to do that without putting our other programs at risk.”
After the program’s closure, the Terry Fox Youth Centre was put up for sale by Historica Canada. It was purchased by an anonymous buyer with the goal of creating a community centre. The Manor Park Community Council will be the lead community programmer for the building.
The Canadian Museum of History worked with representatives of both Historica Canada and the Community Council to acquire selected objects from the building, before demolition and renovation work began.
As an alumnus of the program (I travelled from Kamloops, BC to attend a week on Canadian politics in the mid-1990s), walking down the halls of the building gave me fascinating moments of teenage flashbacks. Memories of chaotic meals in the auditorium, guest speakers, and mock political assemblies filled my mind as we went through material in the now empty space. A lone guitar case, with an Encounters sticker proudly featured on its side, brought back memories of improvised talent shows and enthusiastic teacher chaperones herding students into the large dorm spaces at curfew.
Primary - Exploring the Unseen Narratives
Secondary - Exploring the Unseen Narratives
Tertiary - Exploring the Unseen Narratives
Quaternary - Exploring the Unseen Narratives
No matter where you live, our Museums come to you, helping you get to know more about our shared past. The Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum are located in Gatineau and Ottawa, as well as online and on social media, and in your community.
Children have been waiting for it for a long time, parents have been desperately hoping for it, and now the long-awaited moment has finally arrived: Birthday parties are back at the Canadian Children’s Museum!
As of today, it’s once again possible for children ages 3 to 7 to celebrate their birthday with friends at the Children’s Museum. Parents are sure to enjoy the new package, which includes access to a private party room for three hours, surprises for the kids invited to the party, a special gift for the birthday child, and priority access to the Children’s Museum. A catering service is also available, so parents only have to think of the cake!
In addition to having fun and participating in all kinds of creative and fun-filled activities, children and parents can also visit the Canadian Museum of History and watch a movie at CINÉ+. Everything you need for a memorable birthday!
Birthday parties can be held on weekends. Each party includes admission and access to the Children’s Museum for the day, for up to 10 kids and two adults. Additional guests can be added at an extra cost, up to a maximum of 24.
For reservations or more information about hosting a birthday party at the Canadian Children’s Museum, please contact us at 819-776-7014, 1-800-555-5621 or information@historymuseum.ca.
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Disclaimer – The collections of the Canadian Museum of History are diverse, and include culturally sensitive content, as well as objects and images pertaining to violence, war and other forms of conflict. The breadth of the collection reflects Canada and its people, and a history that continues to evolve in the stories we tell, and how they are told.