Awarded projects submitted as part of the 2024 call for proposals
15 May 2025
Following the Advisory Committee evaluations, Digital Museums Canada (DMC) is pleased to announce an investment of over $2 million in 18 new online projects from the 2024 Call for Proposals.
DMC received over 150 proposals from every province in Canada and would like to thank organizations for their continued interest in the program.
The 2025 call for proposals opens June 15.
Digital Projects
(Note: Project titles may change)
IAIN BAXTER&: What’s the Big Idea?
IAIN BAXTER&: What’s the Big Idea? explores the limitless world of conceptual art. Geared towards educators, this project provides an engaging interactive platform to introduce expansive thinking into the classroom with and through art!
IAIN BAXTER& (CC, OOnt, OBC) is recognized as Canada’s first conceptual artist. BAXTER&’s work is held in gallery and museum collections across Canada. Inspired by the imaginative potential in a list of unrealized works in the catalogue for BAXTER&’s first exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada, this project uses the unique possibilities of digital technologies to create an accessible, innovative resource that brings conceptual art to new audiences. Interactive renderings, activities, and resources on expansive thinking, critical inquiry, and creativity will inspire visitors. Social, ecological and technological issues long present in BAXTER&’s work are employed to explore “impossible” ideas. IAIN BAXTER&: What’s the Big Idea? demonstrates how novel approaches can open brave spaces for dialogue and experimentation.
Voices From the Past, Echoes of the Future: Black History Across Canada
Capital Heritage Connexion Patrimoine de la Capitale
This exciting digital project led by the Black Legacy Collective (BLC) in partnership with Capital Heritage Connexion (CHC), brings the rich history of 19th-century Black life in Canada to you through an interactive and accessible digital platform. It showcases the migration, resilience, and contributions of Black communities in provinces and territories. Featuring archival photographs, oral histories, short video interviews, and interactive maps, the project immerses you in stories of perseverance and community-building. Designed for students and educators, and accessible to the public, the platform offers school-friendly educational resources and stories that link the past to today. With a focus on being inclusive and accessible, the project ensures these important narratives are open to all, helping to build understanding and appreciation for Canada’s diverse heritage. Explore a digital museum that honours the legacy of Black Canadians and inspires a stronger connection to the shared history that shapes us all.
Preserving the Legacy: The Marieval IRS and Cowessess First Nation Story
The Marieval IRS digital project is our first opportunity to showcase the strength and resiliency demonstrated by former students and Survivors of the Marieval Indian Residential School. Through this project we acknowledge the shared history we have and the collective memories we hold of the Sacred Heart of Mary Parish and its congregants, who viewed the mission parish at Marieval as their religious community. We recognize the significance of being the custodians of this shared history.
From the time of our birth, through the loss of identity, culture, family and language, we have remained. We are proud of the work being done to recapture and reclaim our cultural legacies and we proudly demonstrate our awareness of the importance of reconnecting our tethers to the land and to our culture — for the benefit of future generations and to support acts of reconciliation within the settler communities around Cowessess.
Bak̓wa̱mk̓ala Revitalization, Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Resurgence: Bringing Their Voices and Dialects Forward
Gwagwaltama Revitalization Society
The Gwagwa̱ltama Revitalization Society is launching a digital exhibit to showcase the strength and resilience of the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw communities it serves. Drawing upon the wisdom and stories of Elders, the exhibit will ensure Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw communities can access linguistic and cultural materials to support their language journeys and the overall resurgence of Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw culture and well-being. The exhibit will share the story of the dedicated efforts of Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw Elders in language preservation who have left a legacy of resurgence that we gratefully take up in their honour.
Voices of Hesquiaht: Stories Carried Through Time
The Voices of Hesquiaht project is an immersive digital platform that brings the voices of Hesquiaht Elders to life. Recorded in the 1970s, ancestral voices preserve the language and cultural knowledge of the Hesquiaht Nation, and Elders recorded in the 2020s add further substance for the benefit of language and culture enthusiasts. Featuring audio recordings, English transcripts, archival photographs, and new videos, photos, and animations, the platform showcases Hesquiaht heritage.
Organized around three thematic storylines, “Life on the Pacific Coast,” “Teachings of the Elders,” and “Ancestral Stories,” learners can explore narratives through interactive maps, timelines, and multimedia tools. Designed for accessibility, the platform ensures audiences can engage with Hesquiaht culture from any device.
This project promotes intergenerational learning, supports Indigenous language revitalization, and shares unique Hesquiaht perspectives with the world. Voices of Hesquiaht is a celebration of resilience, language and community that offers inspiration and connection to users of all ages.
Branches of Her Wisdom: Stories of Traditional Practices of Food Sovereignty and Cultural Preservation
Branches of Her Wisdom: Stories of Traditional Practices of Food Sovereignty and Cultural Preservation uses digital storytelling to explore Indigenous knowledge through the engaging narrative of Elder Thalia, a fictional character featured in a comic series. Elder Thalia guides audiences on a journey of cultural preservation and food sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of sustainable food systems and traditional practices. The project combines storytelling with interactive tools, including videos of real-life Elders, interactive maps, and resources to inspire the revitalization of traditional foodways. By addressing the loss of cultural knowledge and the challenges posed by modern food systems, this initiative fosters understanding and empowers communities. It bridges generational gaps, highlights Indigenous resilience, and responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action by promoting awareness, education, and respect for Indigenous perspectives through innovative and accessible digital media.
Mineral Journeys: Pasts, Presents and Futures
Mineral Journeys: Pasts, Presents, and Futures is an engaging digital experience that brings the interconnected stories of Earth’s minerals to life. Developed by the Pacific Museum of Earth, this project explores the histories, uses, and futures of six minerals— lithium, cobalt, and copper, recognized as critical minerals in Canada for their essential role in modern technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy—alongside montmorillonite, sylvite, and quartz. Through an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure narrative, users journey across time and geography, uncovering the environmental, social, and cultural impacts of these resources. Designed for Grades 5–9 students and educators across Canada, Mineral Journeys supports classroom learning by aligning with curricular objectives while encouraging critical thinking about sustainability and stewardship. The project combines digital storytelling with advanced tools, including immersive 3D models, soundscapes, and interactive maps, to make geoscience concepts accessible and engaging. By connecting the past and present to potential futures, Mineral Journeys empowers users to explore how human choices shape the planet, fostering thoughtful and sustainable relationships with natural resources.
IN/VISIBLE: Reimagining the Worst Day of My Life
Société des arts technologiques
Discover IN/VISIBLE: Reimagining the Worst Day of My Life, an innovative online experience that makes the invisible visible when it comes to mental health. Thanks to generative artificial intelligence and collaboration with artists, you can immerse yourself in the deep emotions of people living with mental illness. Browse through striking images that convey intimate experiences, listen to authentic testimonials, and explore behind the scenes of creation.
This project aims to de-stigmatize mental illness, to open dialogue, and to foster understanding and empathy. Accessible to all, IN/VISIBLE invites you on a unique emotional journey that combines art, technology and humanity.
Join us as we explore these powerful stories and help transform hearts and minds on the topic of mental health.
Driving Canada: a digital exhibition
This digital platform created by the Toronto Ward Museum in partnership with Qissa Stories invites users to explore Canada’s immigration history through a unique, interactive experience modelled after an Uber ride. Featuring oral histories of Uber drivers, the project highlights personal stories of migration, resilience and belonging. Users step into the role of the interviewer, engaging with the narratives while symbolically embarking on a journey of migration. Designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, the platform integrates English and French content, along with engaging multimedia elements like animations and contextual text.
Community Stories
(Note: Project titles may change)
Forged in Fire: The Black Loyalists 1775-1800
Black Loyalist Heritage Society
This digital project traces the extraordinary journey of self-emancipated Black Loyalists from the Thirteen Colonies to Nova Scotia, the Caribbean, Sierra Leone, and beyond. Drawing on rare primary source documents from archives across four continents, Forged in Fire reframes the Black Loyalist narrative as a transatlantic epic of resilience and self-determination. Curated by Black scholars and descendants of Black Loyalists, the project delves into intersections with Indigenous communities, explores Black-led resistance to colonial systems, and highlights contributions often erased from dominant histories.
Presented through Black voices, this initiative provides educators, community members, and researchers with authentic resources and fresh perspectives. With accessibility features and translations into Krio, French, and English, the project fosters global connections and inclusivity. Anchored by the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre’s 10th anniversary and international conferences, Forged in Fire positions the Black Loyalists’ legacy as a vital thread in the tapestry of Atlantic world history.
Sport and Anishinaabe Values: Seven Grandfather Gifts and Seventh Generation Principle in Parry Sound
The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame places values at the centre of the stories we tell: values held by Bobby Orr and those that sport teaches us, exemplified by our inductees. As we make our stories more inclusive, we want to highlight Indigenous values through the Seventh Generation Principle and Seven Grandfather Teachings. The Seventh Generation Principle is a core value held by some Indigenous nations in the region, centred on respecting the world we live in and making decisions today that will benefit those who live seven generations from now. The Seven Grandfather Gifts is an Anishinaabe teaching that provides guidance for living a good life, based on Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty, Humility and Wisdom. These teachings and their connection to sport will be the focus of a digital exhibit featuring newly created videos of First Nations community members discussing the teachings and what each one means to them.
The Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital; community healthcare in rural Newfoundland 1938-2001
The Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation, with the support of Digital Museums Canada, will create a digital story of community health care in rural Newfoundland. This story will be told through a collection of archival material and new research from the Old Cottage Hospital of Norris Point, N.L. (1938–2001). This facility was built with volunteer labour and donated materials. It was the structural home for doctors and nurses from across the globe, who worked hand in hand with local community members to deliver health care to rural and isolated communities in the region. This digital story focuses on the building of the hospital, the experiences of those who staffed it, and the experiences of those who received care there.
The Untold Stories of Force 136 – from Canada to [Hong Kong, India, and Borneo]
Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society
In The Untold Stories of Force 136, follow the lives of three Canadians of Chinese descent who navigated a critical period in Canada’s development toward multiculturalism. The Second World War was a crucible of change. These native-born Canadians — voteless and nearly stateless — volunteered to serve in what some described as a suicide mission, for the so-called British Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Special Operations Executive, or SOE). Sent around the world, they participated in secret military operations in [Hong Kong, India and Borneo]. Today, the community speaks of “one war, two victories,” because the war was only the first of many battles to be won. New research from The National Archives, London provides never-before-seen details from declassified SOE files, allowing a more in-depth understanding of how a community gained its rights in the face of powerful political opposition. This is a truly Canadian story.
Forgotten Loyalty: New Brunswick’s Hidden Connection to the No. 2 Construction Battalion
Forgotten Loyalty honours the No. 2 Construction Battalion, and in particular the region’s local connections to this historic regiment. The stories of the New Brunswick soldiers in the battalion are often only partially told or remain completely untold. This Community Story not only highlights the military history of the No. 2 Construction Battalion as a unit, but also delves into the identities of the local men who were members and their significant contributions. This virtual exhibition provides an opportunity to learn more about a previously unseen part of Fredericton’s past.
We’re here, we’ve always been here: tracing the struggles and contributions of Black LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people in Quebec
This groundbreaking initiative addresses the systemic erasure of Black LGBTQ+ women and non-binary individuals in Quebec, offering them long-overdue recognition and representation. By reframing historical narratives, the project combats invisibility, preserves vital stories, and fosters narrative justice. Through a unique partnership with the Archives lesbiennes du Québec, it builds an accessible archive of untold contributions, empowering communities and inspiring future generations. Guided by a “for us, by us” approach, Harambec’s team — composed of Black queer women — channels their lived experiences and expertise in community, academia, and the arts. This initiative not only promotes awareness of intersectionality but also strengthens public understanding of dual marginalization, advocating for visibility and equity in historical preservation. Together, we honour the past, amplify present voices, and secure a richer, more inclusive future.
Kelowna’s Forgotten Chinatown: A Digital Reclamation
Discover the hidden history of Kelowna’s Chinatown, a once-thriving community that has been largely overlooked. This digital project delves into the significant contributions of the Chinese community to the city’s development.
Through in-depth research and captivating storytelling, follow along as we reclaim a lost history, honour the Chinese Canadian experience, and inspire future generations. Join us on a journey to rediscover Kelowna’s past and appreciate the city’s diverse cultural heritage.
The Olympic Games in Montréal
Relive the excitement of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montréal, and discover the flip side of this major event, which was rocked by multiple controversies. Featuring exclusive interviews, original themes, and current perspectives, this virtual exhibition will take you on a journey of commemoration and critical analysis. The McCord Stewart Museum’s The Montréal Olympic Games (1976): Grandeur and Controversy brings this tumultuous time in the Quebec metropolis to life, through a rich variety of objects and documents drawn from the museum’s collections of material culture, fashion and textiles, photographs, archives, and political cartoons.
Honouring Semá:th X̱ó:tsa: Community Stories of Sumas Lake
Since time immemorial, Semá:th Xó:tsa (Sumas Lake) has functioned as natural fortification, a vital source of sustenance and medicines, and a site of spiritual significance for the Semá:th people. Occupying around 10,000 acres between Abbotsford and Chilliwack, B.C. at average water levels, and more than 30,000 acres across B.C. and Washington State during the annual freshet, the lake was central to the physical, spiritual and cultural well-being and prosperity of the Stó:lō people for millennia. As colonial profiteering transformed what we know today as the Fraser Valley, the site of Sumas Lake was seen by settlers as an untapped resource for agricultural activity. With no regard for the significance that Semá:th Xó:tsa played in the lifeworld of the Semá:th and their Stó:lō neighbours, the Province of British Columbia oversaw the drainage of Sumas Lake in the early 1920s. In telling the transcultural story of Sumas Lake and its loss, Honouring Semá:th X̱ó:tsa (HSX̱) centres Indigenous perspectives.