GATINEAU, QUEBEC.- The remarkable sophistication and complexity of the vibrant Haida culture is explored in a special exhibition presented through January 23, 2011 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Haida: Life. Spirit. Art. features more than 80 masterpieces from the outstanding Haida collection of the McCord Museum in Montréal. Most of the objects date from the 18th and 19th centuries and reflect the great skill of Haida artists and the richness of their ancient culture. The artifacts range from intricate bentwood boxes to a beautifully painted woven hat; from carved fish-hooks to model totem poles. They provide fascinating insights into a culture that took root thousands of years ago in Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) and remains vibrant today along Canada’s Northwest Coast. “This exhibition is a wonderful complement to our own permanent exhibits devoted to the Haida’s captivatin