The construction of the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations is part of a broader tourism development plan involving the creation of other complementary components, such as a tourism office, a Tourism Québec bureau, the Huron-Wendat interpretation centre and a 350-seat outdoor amphitheatre for vocal, musical, theatre, dance and drumming performances. Many buildings in the community echo the same architectural design. The tourism development plan is also an outgrowth of a previous master plan to renew Vieux-Wendake.

This project is a unique alliance between 4-star accommodations and a museum experience that takes visitors on an exceptional voyage through the traditions and contemporary culture of the First Nations and Inuit. Located in an enchanting setting on the Akiawenrahk River, the hotel/museum complex evokes the architecture of the longhouse, traditional dwelling of the Iroquois people, who include the Huron-Wendat Nation. Combining contemporary comfort and cultural experience, the establishment warmly welcomes guests to its 55 4-star rooms and suites, worthy of the legendary hospitality of the Huron-Wendat. The evocative location adds a special cachet to business meetings and receptions, along with the authentic flavours of gourmet cuisine inspired by the First Nations, a 125-seat restaurant with a private dining room and 5 meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 140 people.

Its cone shape is reminiscent of an Algonquin smokehouse and the hospitality of a hearth shared by all nations. The design also symbolically evokes a lowered stockade, a place where peace and harmony reign and where protective defences are no longer necessary. The two buildings therefore symbolize the two great cultural families of the East, the Iroquois and Algonquin. The museum presents a living history and artefacts imbued with a tangible memory. The interactive format displays a collection of rare objects central to the Huron-Wendat culture, exploring themes of territories, memories and knowledge.

More than just a tour, the museum offers visitors a veritable cultural voyage. In addition to the buildings themselves, the surrounding area includes a reclaimed stream, along which thematic gardens reveal the beauty of indigenous flora and the power of medicinal plants. There is also a gift shop featuring exclusive works of art, historical or otherwise, and an interpretation centre of traditional knowledge where artisans demonstrate their respective crafts. LEMAYMICHAUD Architecture Design

This entry was posted on Friday, March 12th, 2010 at 6:34 am and is filed under Architecture Design, Modern Design. Tags: Aboriginal peoples in Canada, Akiawenrahk River, Architecture Design, First Nations, First Nations in Ontario, First Nations in Quebec, History of North America, Hôtel-Musée, Huron-Wendat Nation, Indigenous peoples of North America, Interpretation centre, Languages of Canada, LEMAYMICHAUD Architecture Design, Long house, Native American tribes, traditions and contemporary culture, Wyandot, Wyandot people. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.