Refuge Canada is a travelling exhibition created by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 

Refuge Canada

No one wants to be a refugee. Anyone could become a refugee.

Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, and The Exploration Place, in partnership with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, are thrilled to bring you a new exhibit that will be coming to Prince George in early June: Spirit Bear and Children Make History.

Starting early June, children, youth, and adults can experience this multi-media and interactive exhibit featuring hand-crafted puppets and sets from Spirit Bear’s four stop-motion animation films by the award-winning Indigenous studio Spotted Fawn Productions. Visitors will learn how Spirit Bear and the children stand up for equity for First Nations children, how to learn from the past, and how we can all work together to fulfill the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Please stay tuned for more details in the near future. We can bearly wait!

Opening early June, 2024
Official exhibit opening: June 21, 2024

To learn more about Spirit Bear, please see the following resources:

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society - Spirit Bear
Spirit Bear TV, where you can watch all the Spirit Bear films for free
Spirit Bear music video

More About George...

George Phillips was a key figure in the history of the Exploration Place Museum + Science Centre.  His arrival as Executive Director in 1992 heralded the beginning of our transformation from a small, local history museum to the world-class, multidisciplinary organization we are today.  

He believed passionately that the future of collecting institutions depended on their relevance to their communities; a relevance that was built one-on-one, beginning as early as possible.  He often said words to the effect that someone doesn't just wake up at 18 years old and decide to be an engineer; that an affinity for the arts and the sciences  grows over a lifetime of experiences.  Museums are one place where those experiences can originate.  Dedicating our temporary exhibit space to George is both to honour his memory and the impact he had on this Museum, as well as to imbed that philosophy of discovery and inspiration in the culture of our organization.  

The George Phillips Exhibit Gallery will play host to traveling and in house exhibits, embracing a vast array of topics. It is a perfect legacy for a man who brought the world to our community by inviting us to look closely at our history while dreaming about our collective future.

Benefits of Becoming a Community Keeper

• All donations of $25 or more come with a receipt for income tax purposes
• With donations of $50 or more, you will receive a personalized digital certificate
• With donations of $100 or more, your name or business logo will be displayed on our website for one year
• With donations of $200 or more,  your name or business logo will be displayed on our digital billboard for one year
• Contribute $1,000 to be an exclusive presenting sponsor of your favourite Ambassador!
• Invitation to our Members & Sponsors Christmas Party
• Invitations to special Community Keeper-only events
• Making a Difference: Becoming a Community Keeper makes you an integral part of an Animal Ambassador's health and well-being and supports The Exploration Place, a non-profit organization and registered Canadian charity