The aim of all this theatricality is obviously a spot on a talent show, from whence he can construct a short and undeserved career comprised of forgettable hits and tabloid scandal, netting me some hard-earned cash in the process. A father can have dreams, can't he?
Oh yes, the Museum of Anthropology. It's fantastic - huge, new, and absolutely riveting in its detail. Most of it is dedicated to the local First Nation cultures, who together with the Inuit and the Metis make up the aboriginal inhabitants of Canada.
The history of the First Nations is complicated, in the way that whenever the British Empire invaded a country and subjugated its people while stealing their land we like to describe it as "complicated". As one video in the museum pointed out, there was never any war - the first westerners to Canada were welcomed as guests, but went on to do various un-guestlike things that empires tend to. Things are slowly getting sorted out but it's...well, complicated.
The museum houses many thousands of First Nation artifacts, most of which are now displayed with permission, and has become something of a gallery for new local art and continuing heritage. It also has a ton of stuff from across Pacific island culture as far as Japan and Indonesia. I'm not sure how much of that is displayed by permission or was simply "acquired".
Hannah, who works extensively with the First Nations as part of her job, moved through the galleries methodically and thoughtfully, absorbing the vast information on display. I sprinted around the whole thing, chasing a two-yr-old intent on pulling open every drawer and display case, and determined to touch anything claiming to be 1500 years old or more. If you want to talk about cultural destruction in progress, look no further.
Some of the ancient totem poles, behind worryingly low glass barriers.
Pete listens and learns...perhaps.
Taking a short breather.
"Please touch gently" says the sign. Ha! Anyway, these things made nice noises when tapped.
Finally, some stillness. Short lived - Pete soon realised he couldn't find Peppa Pig on YouTube using this.
