Northern Stars: 150 Years of U.S.-Canada Relations

Betsey Cushing Roosevelt, James Roosevelt, President Roosevelt, Lord and Lady Tweedsmuir (John Buchan, Governor General of Canada, and Susan Buchan), and Prime Minister King, 1936. Yousuf Karsh/Library and Archives Canada

As Canada celebrates the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, Meridian International Center, with support from the Embassy of the United States in Ottawa, is pleased to present two exhibitions that showcase the relationship between our nations as distinguished neighbors. Northern Stars: 150 Years of U.S.-Canada Relations imparts a historical perspective of both familiar and lesser-known connections while Eyes on the Arctic: U.S.-Canada Collaboration in the North offers an area focus on shared heritage and cooperation in the Arctic.

The bilingual exhibitions highlight intriguing stories involving the two countries and emphasize the shared cultural connections. Beginning prior to the sesquicentennial, Northern Stars finds its impetus with the attendance of Sir William McDougall, a prominent Canadian politician who helped to form the Canadian Confederation, to President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in 1863. The narrative continues through moments of history and shared culture to the present with Canadian Lorne Michaels’ legacy of Saturday Night Live.

In Photos: Northern Stars

The exhibitions are scheduled to travel throughout Canada in 2017. Check back here and follow along with #USCanada150 for updates.


Tentative schedule:

February 1 – February 19 – Ottawa
March 9 - April 30 - Tornoto Public Library (Eyes on the Arctic)
April 18 - April 30 - Toronto City Hall Routunda (Northern Stars)
May 17 – June 14 – Quebec City- Bureaux Parks Canada
June 30 – July 19 – Halifax International Airport (Northern Stars)
September 27- October 15 – Winnipeg- The Manitoba Museum (both exhibits)
October 25- November 22 – Calgary- Telus Convention Center (both exhibits)
November- December – Vancouver

N.B.–A second circulation of Eyes on the Arctic will be on display at the Montreal Biosphere beginning June 1.

Project Timeline

Project summary

Northern Stars: 150 Years of U.S.-Canada Relations | December 2017
Regions: Western Hemisphere
Countries: United States, Canada
Impact Areas: Cultural Diplomacy
Program Areas: Culture
Partners: Public Sector