Newsletter - Spring 2026

New News

We’ve had a busy spring at MCC! We welcomed the MCC’s inaugural steering committee, who have  graciously offered to serve until July 1, 2027 (see a list of this year's committee members below). In addition, we have added in two new assistants, Jillian Moggy, an MA student at Dalhousie, who will manage our website, and Dr. Samantha Ruckenstein, Mount Allison and St. Thomas Universities, who will manage our social media (you can now find us on instragram and facebook). Our first steering committee meeting was super productive: we discussed keeping membership to the Collective at no cost, and we’ve introduced four new programming initiatives:

•   The launch of the MCC Speakers Series, with 2 new sessions starting in fall 2026 (See side bar on p. 1 for details).

•   The launch of the Canadian Textiles Study Group (see side bar on pg. 2).

•   The release of the 3rd Mystery Object (& reveals of 1 & 2)

•   Stay In the Loop: Excerpts from Lisa Binkley’s conversation with Dr. Gerald Pocius - available May 1st, 2026 under the In the Loop blog tab on the MCC website. 

*We welcome submissions for short blogs, articles or interviews on anything material culture related (max 1000 words). This is a great way to profile your research!

New Publication! As well, we have released MCC’s first publication with Goose Lane Press: Where We Meet: Expressions from the Indigenous Artists Collective, featuring the work of Indigenous artists, Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Cheyenne Henry, and Megan Samms, following a 2-year SSHRC-funded collaboration that resulted in this full-colour catalogue of the artists’ creative work and personal essays. 

The catalogue (80 pages) is currently available through the Material Culture Collective and local book stores in the Halifax area (stay tuned for details where you can pick up a copy). Books are also available through the MCC, $25 + shipping.

Email us for your copy: materialculturecollective@gmail.com

*All profits go directly to the artists.

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Material Culture Collective Speakers Series

Looking to expand your research? Interested in proposing a topic for discussion?

We'd like to introduce the New MCC Speakers Series and invite calls for 2 new sessions during the Fall 2026 season: Session 1: late October; Session 2: late November or early December.

Sessions will consist of either:

2 x 30 minute papers or

3 x 20 minute papers,

Followed by 30 minutes for discussion

Send session proposals and bios to materialculturecollective@gmail.com

by July 1st, 2026

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New Publications

Where We Meet features the original works and creative practices of three Indigenous artists, Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Wolastoqey from Niqotkuk (Tobique First Nations), Megan Samms, L'nu and Nlha7kápmx from Katalisk, Ktaqmkuk, Mi'kma'ki, Wabanaki Territory, and Cheyenne Henry, Anihsinaabekwe (Ojibwe) from Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation and currently living in Montreal. Following a two-year collaborative process between the artists and the author/editors, this book features a collection of creative expression that circumvents the Western art historical canon. The book includes full-colour images of each of the artists' work and their personal essays, and an introductory chapter by Dr. Lisa Binkley, Dalhousie University, Halifax, SJ Jones, PhD Candidate, Dalhousie University, and Dr. Rachel Hurst, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish. 

Available through MCC and local bookstores (details coming soon)

All profits go directly to the artists. materialculturecollective@gmail.com

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*New* Canadian Textile Study Group

We’ve added a new special program to the MCC network dedicated to the study of Canadian textiles and needlework. The CTSG welcomes new members, who wish to connect, network, and share research.

On September 23rd, 2026, the CTSG will launch its first online Speakers Workshop,

Quilts of War.

CFP: Please email us at materialculturecollective@gmail.com if you would like to participate in this session. Papers will be 20 mins., followed by a Q&A session. Abstracts and bios are due by July 1, 2026.

Attend the session: Watch for registration under coming events - coming soon.

And, watch the CTSG space for more on meetings, research, and speakers events. If you are interested in proposing a topic for the Speakers Workshop or a special Keynote, email us.

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Steering Committee 2026-2027

Dr. Lauren Beck, Mt. Allison University, Sackville, NB

Dr. Antonia Behan, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON

Dr. Lisa Binkley, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

Lisa Bower, Curator/Registrar, Cultural History Collection, Nova Scotia Museum

Dr. Rachel Bryant, University of New Brunswick -St. John, NB

Dr. Ian Brodie, Cape Breton University, Sydney, NS

Holly Dickinson, PhD Candidate, Dalhousie University

Dr. Hilary Doda, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

Dr. Catherine Girard, Saint Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS

SJ Jones, PhD Candidate, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

Amber Laurie, PhD Candidate and Senior Curator, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

Dr. Kelley Totten, Memorial University, St. John’s, NFLD