The Culture Rooms
Date: Jun 17
10:00 am
- 5:00 pm
Where: Level 2 & 3 Atrium
Experience what makes the people and this place so unique. MUSIC: When we are not talking, we are singing. And dancing. And having a time. Learn why music runs in our veins and try out an instrument or two yourself. Have you ever played an ugly stick? LANGUAGE: Did you know we have our own dictionary? Become acquainted with local authors. Learn some new words, like sleeveen or callibogus. And discover place names that will make you giggle, such as Come By Chance or Blow Me Down Provincial Park. NATURE: Mother Nature is highly respected here. Her high winds, dense fog, deep snow and horizontal rain have made us a hearty bunch and have defined our fashion sense. Learn about our spectacular hiking trails. Touch a piece of iceberg. And find out what capelin weather is all about. HISTORY: Come find out what brought people to these shores hundreds of years ago and what has made us such a resilient and creative lot. Try your hand at splitting a cod or bring a turn of water. Learn about resettlement and the salt cod trade. GENEALOGY: Many visitors have "roots" in this province. Some come with a clear understanding of where their families came from, while others only know that somewhere in their past there was a generation that started here. This kiosk shows you how to begin!
Today's Events & Programs
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon with Gemma Hickey, renowned author, humanitarian, and architect of change.
Gemma does not simply tell stories; they move systems. From quiet rooms to global stages, grassroots movements to halls of power, Gemma’s voice has challenged governments, confronted the Catholic Church, and amplified the rights and recognition of marginalized communities worldwide. Their art and advocacy rise from lived experience, razor-sharp insight, and a wit that disarms even as it demands attention.
In this candid conversation, Gemma reflects on childhood, gender fluidity, and a life lived beyond the boundaries others tried to impose. Anchored by the enduring love of their Nan, these stories trace a powerful arc; from vulnerability to resilience, silence to truth, survival to change, and show how one voice, spoken without fear or apology, can echo far beyond the room, changing lives, laws, and futures at home and beyond.
The event includes a live audience Q&A. Includes admission to the exhibition Erica Rutherford: Her Lives and Works.
Tickets: $12 plus HST. Free for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling 709-757-8090.