You can visit Canada from coast to coast at this Toronto exhibit. Here is a look inside their latest Northern addition
Little Canada is turning down the thermostat and turning up the northern lights with their latest exhibit now open for public viewing
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Little Canada is turning down the thermostat and turning up the northern lights with their latest exhibit now open for public viewing.
The Toronto attraction unveiled its latest addition on Friday as it features an immersive, temperature-controlled Arctic room set at 16 C. There is also a day-night cycle, and a glowing Northern Lights projection designed to make visitors feel they're in Canada’s northernmost landscapes.
“We want people to really be immersed in the north,” said design specialist Aliyah Tom. “In feeling the cold and seeing the Northern Lights and really experiencing what the North has to give.” (Little Canada photo).
The exhibit’s creative and technical teams spent nearly a year developing the new destination, which began with research in late December. Tom says about 35 people worked five days a week to bring the miniature Arctic to life (Little Canada photo).
“We have a good mix of people who are both technical and creative,” Tom said. “So it’s very much a collaboration between those two.”
That collaboration is best seen during the new day-night cycle, a lighting system adapted to replicate the prolonged darkness of the northern winter.
“We actually had to change our day-night cycle for this destination particularly, to convey that darkness,” said Tom. “We’re trying to have the Northern Lights be a star of the projection.”
Beyond the light show, the exhibit weaves together realism and reflection, designers say. The exhibit features three territories — Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon — each with its own landscapes, stories, and lessons (Little Canada photo).
“We have all three territories represented,” said Mark Domanski, Little Canada’s director of operations. “We usually have a bit more day than night in our displays, but here, we’ve actually made it to show you the northern lights.” (CTV Toronto photo).
Officials emphasize that art and accuracy were also equally important when crafting the exhibit or choosing what elements to include. Cultural consultants from Naheyawin, an Indigenous-owned company, worked with the design team to ensure each scene was respectful and true to its roots (Little Canada photo).
“We have a specific company that we work with — they’re kind of our middleman to reach out to Indigenous people,” Tom said. “If our company decides that it’s not a good idea, then we just wouldn’t go any further with it, out of respect for the Indigenous communities.” (Little Canada photo).
For visual art specialist Dhwani Gandhi, the most powerful stories in Little North lie in the details (Little Canada photo).
“In Tuktoyaktuk, there’s a lot of coastal erosion due to climate change, so we’re showcasing home relocation scenes,” Gandhi said. “We’re really highlighting these scenes to talk about climate change.” (Little Canada photo).
Those quiet educational moments, she said, are woven into the wonder of the exhibit — reminders that beauty and loss coexist in the Arctic (Little Canada photo).
“We’re trying to be as accurate as we can to the struggles and also the experiences of the locals in the north,” Gandhi said. “There are only two trees in Nunavut, and they’re kind of tucked in at the very back that most people wouldn’t see.” (Little Canada photo).
Tom said the team hopes Little North helps visitors connect with a part of Canada few will ever visit in person (Little Canada photo).
“It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing,” she said. “They’re probably not going to get to the north, and this will be their little snippet of experiencing it.” (Little Canada photo).
After months of research, design, and testing, the team is ready to open the Arctic to the public. (Little Canada photo).
“We’re just excited to be able to show everyone,” Tom said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
Little Canada also features several other exhibits including Petit Quebec, Little Toronto, and Little West Coast. (Little Canada photo).
