Musée maritime du Québec – Capitaine J.E. Bernier

To leave, travel and discover new horizons was the desire of the famous mariner from L’Islet, Captain Joseph-Elzéar Bernier. Through this exhibition, wander into the Arctic territory where Bernier led his crew. These men, for the most part from the Côte-du-Sud , traveled through miles of frozen territory at a time when the race to reach the North Pole was comparable to the conquest of outer space today. These home-grown explorers, the Berniers, Morins, Chassés, Tremblays and many others, never made it into our history books. And yet, these valorous Canadians ensured Canada’s sovereignty over the Arctic territory. Captain Bernier, known as Kapitaikallak by the Inuit, and his crew survived inhuman conditions where many others lost their lives.

Beyond the acquisition of this inhospitable region, there is the encounter of two worlds: Inuit and francophone. The Inuit men and women provided an invaluable contribution to the expeditions of Bernier and his men, teaching them survival techniques, guiding their steps on this little-known land, protecting and sheltering them. They eased the solitude of the crew through their games and dances.

Ilititaa… is an impressive journey into the North with throat singing, personal accounts, and objects many of which have never been displayed to the public.

 

Click here to visit the virtual exhibition

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