AR Great Lakes Map Launches at Bruce County Museum
An augmented-reality floor map of the Great Lakes region is now on display at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre.
Canadian Geographic created the Biinaagami Giant Floor Map as a story tool to educate people of all ages about the importance of water in the Great Lakes region.
The eight-by-six-metre map promotes curiosity, responsibility, and care for the region’s lands and waters. Augmented reality shares Indigenous knowledge and guides visitors along the path of an Anishinaabe Water Walker. This ceremonial role honours water as sacred and draws attention to protecting it.
Lakes, rivers, and shorelines shape much of daily life in the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory. These communities describe water as life, valuing it as more than just a resource.
Users can hear the authentic languages and place names associated with waterways. They can examine land use and consider where the waters flow. The experience also helps users find familiar locations and discover new places.
The museum and its community partners held the launch of the Biinaagami Giant Floor Map on 25 March at the James Mason Community Centre in Saugeen First Nation.
Local students in Grades 7 and 8 joined map-based activities led by BCM&CC and CWMP. The program studies nearshore environments through fish, water quality, and habitat, noting that impacts may start elsewhere. Students followed tributaries and debated how land use choices affect water, ecosystems, and aquatic life.
Students also learned about turtle lifecycles and teachings within Saukiing Anishinaabekiing, as well as practical ways to support turtle protection.
The Biinaagami Map curriculum supports teaching and learning about the importance of water to Indigenous communities. It is consistent with Grade 7 and 8 history and geography curricula and enables the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives, knowledge systems and practices in classroom learning. The interactive format supports a range of learning approaches.
After the launch, teachers can book the map through the museum’s online Education Centre at brucemuseum.ca/education-centre.
Later in the year, the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre will work with Saugeen Ojibway Nation knowledge keepers, the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board, the Bluewater District School Board, and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Environment Office. The collaboration will develop territory-specific experiences with content and learning resources for a more localised approach.
Ontario Power Generation’s Power for Change Project provided funding to support communities in its operating areas.
