It’s a day of museum fun for the whole family at MOA, where kids and youth can take part and take the lead! Listen to children’s stories about African and Black Canadian heritage, follow a youth-led tour of the exhibition Sankofa: African Routes, Canadian Roots, participate in a hands-on conservation lab, and chat with our artist-in-residence, Willy White, as he demonstrates Chilkat weaving. Discover fun activities throughout the Museum all afternoon!

The event is open to youth of all ages. Kids under 12 should be accompanied by an adult. The event is free with museum admission.
Plus, there’s many more family activities at Kids Take Over UBC, happening all across the UBC campus.

Program Schedule at MOA

Kids Conservation Lab | 11 am – 2 pm
Learning Lab
A drop-in activity where all ages can practice the care and repair of materials found in the museum. There will be demonstrations on mending for paper, mini ceramic repair and the polishing of metals like pennies. Come have fun with this hands-on activity and then take your projects home.

Sankofa Tours | 1 – 2 pm
Audain Gallery
Tours by members of African Descent Society’s Heritage Keepers: special 20-minute tours that explores the exhibition Sankofa: African Routes, Canadian Roots from a individual African descent and youth perspectives.

Storytelling | 11 – 11:30 am + 12 – 12:30 pm
Presentation Circle
Listen to Njamba Koffi (author of Refuge-e: The Journey Much Desired), read a selection of illustrated children’s books exploring West African and Black Canadian heritage.

Chilkat Weaving | 11 am – 3 pm
Textile Research Room
Watch our artist-in-residence, Willy White, weave a Chilkat dance apron and matching leggings as part of his artist residency at MOA. Learn more about his techniques, Chilkat weaving, and Tsimshian ceremonial practices.

Bios

Njamba “John Michael” Koffi, author of Refuge-e: The Journey Much Desired and BA student of International Relations and Affairs at UBC, is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and has lived and travelled in multiple countries as a refugee. He appreciates multiculturalism, is highly passionate about youth empowerment, and advocates for recognition and resolution of minority issues, especially issues affecting refugee youth.

Mauray Katherine Toutloff is an objects conservator at MOA. She has an M.A.C. from Queen’s University and a B.Sc. from the University of Regina. Mauray is focused on collaborative research for preventative and treatment-oriented conservation strategies. She lectures on conservation for the Department of Anthropology, is the regional representative for the Canadian Association of Conservation, and is an ardent supporter of disseminating conservation education and training to students, volunteers, community members and the public.

William (Willy) White is an internationally recognized Chilkat weaver and a carrier of the traditional knowledge among the people of the Tsimshian Nation. In 1996, he publicly wove the first Tsimshian Raven’s Tail robe made since European contact, at the Museum of Northern British Columbia. For the last ten years, he has focused on reviving ancient weaving techniques used in producing Chilkat, as well as reviving its use in ceremonies. Willy is committed to teaching other Tsimshian weavers, including his current apprentice, Pearl Innis.

The African Descent Society BC (ADSBC) is a non-profit organization that promotes African Descent arts, culture and education in Vancouver, the province of British Columbia, and beyond. ADSBC organizes the annual African Descent Festival as well as other live music events, music workshops, and weekly shows for emerging African Descent artists. ADSBC is also a leading organizer of Black History Month programs, Heritage and Black Strathcona walking tours, and other cultural activities in BC in collaboration with schools, community organizations and colleges.