Table of Contents 6 2012 OVATION Awards Winning Entries

On November 3, 2010, media, select guests and key influencers were invited by the Science Centre to
attend a traditional Māori dawn ceremony led by Elders from New Zealand. Chief Bryan LaForme from
the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Felicity Buchanan, New Zealand Deputy High
Commissioner, Michelle Hippolite, Kaihautu (co‐leader), Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
and Lesley Lewis, CEO, Ontario Science Centre were on‐site to take part in and contribute to the
ceremony and blessing. Special guests from Toronto’s New Zealand community were invited to
participate in this celebration of their culture. Mark Cohon, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Ontario
Science Centre, Laura Albanese, MPP and Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Culture also
participated.
In keeping with the tradition of the blessing of the exhibition, we needed to re‐create a symbolic handover
of the exhibition and its artifacts from the Māori people to the Chief of the Mississaugas of the New
Credit First Nation, in essence, a coming together of two cultures. To create a dignified atmosphere, the
communications team directed the Canadian representatives to enter the Science Centre at the back of
the building and wait just outside of the exhibition hall to greet the New Zealand delegation. The New
Zealand guests entered through the front of the building and were led down through the Science Centre
to meet Chief LaForme and the Canadian delegation. This served two purposes. First, it enabled us to
create an atmosphere of anticipation and welcome. Second, the procession from the front of the
Science Centre, down into the exhibition hall afforded enough time for the Kaumātua to prepare
themselves spiritually for the blessing and the ceremony that was about to take place.
Once the New Zealanders arrived in the exhibition hall, they were greeted by the Canadian delegation
and the formal rituals began. In all, over 150 people representing Canada and New Zealand participated.
To underline the significance of Māori traditions relating to whales, the Elders and Chief LaForme then
led the participants into the exhibition, passing under a reproduction of a Māori wharenui (meeting
house). The Elders were clothed in traditional cloaks – helping to further illustrate the strong spiritual
and traditional ties the Māori have with whales and whale artifacts.
As the group made its way through the exhibition, prayers and blessings were recited – this infused the
importance of the tradition and the significance of the entire ceremony into the atmosphere, creating a
serene mood. Singing plays an important role in Māori culture. In respect of that tradition, a hymn
(Morning Has Broken) was sung by a Science Centre host to end the ritual.
The presentation was concluded with speeches and, most noteworthy, hongi (pressing of noses),
between the Elders and Chief LaForme and other special guests. The hongi is a customary Māori
greeting in New Zealand, comparable to a formal handshake in Western culture. It is performed at major
ceremonies and helps set the tone for a positive encounter. Through the exchange of this special
greeting, one is no longer deemed a visitor, but rather one of the people of the land.
Following the formal remarks, the entire proceedings were brought to a close with the sharing of a
meal, Parakuihi, in this case a breakfast of fresh fruit, pastries and pikelets, a traditional New Zealand
pancake. By partaking in this informal process, the sacredness of the morning was concluded. Guests
were then treated to a performance by the Mississaugas of the New Credit Manitou Singers.