AGLOOKA: John Rae, Indigenous Knowledge and the Arctic

The Orkney Museum is delighted to present AGLOOKA: John Rae, Indigenous Knowledge and the Arctic, a new exhibition developed in partnership with the John Rae Society. The exhibition aims to introduce visitors to the Society's work in preserving the legacy of Orkney-born Arctic explorer John Rae while showcasing a remarkable collection of Inuit, First Nations, Métis and Orcadian art and artefacts.

Aglooka was the name by which John Rae was known to the Inuit he met and travelled with. Usually translated as "he who takes long strides", it refers to his remarkable endurance and his ability to cover vast distances on foot and by snowshoe, and reflects the respect he earned among the Inuit who shared their knowledge of the land with him.

Born at The Hall of Clestrain in the parish of Orphir, Orkney in 1813, Rae became one of the nineteenth century's most successful Arctic explorers. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he worked closely with Indigenous peoples and learned directly from Inuit knowledge and experience, skills that proved critical to his success in the Arctic.

Drawing on loans from members of the John Rae Society, objects from the collections of the Orkney Museum, and works by both Indigenous and Orcadian artists, the exhibition explores the connections between Orkney, northern Canada and the Arctic.

Many of the objects on display are not directly connected to Rae himself but have been selected to illustrate the cultures, knowledge and artistic traditions that helped shape Arctic exploration. These include Inuit carvings and artefacts loaned by members of the John Rae Society, many collected directly from Inuit communities by Society member David Sharp, alongside examples of Cree First Nations and Métis craftsmanship from the collections of the Orkney Museum.

The exhibition also features works by Indigenous artists, including Professor Willie Ermine and Connie Dickens, as well as contemporary Orcadian artists whose work reflects the continuing legacy of John Rae and the enduring links between Orkney and northern North America.

Through art, artefacts and personal stories, AGLOOKA celebrates cultural exchange, highlights the work of the John Rae Society, and invites visitors to discover the people, places and traditions that shaped one of Orkney's most internationally significant historical figures.