Royal B.C. Museum Apologizes for Racism

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The Royal British Columbia Museum apologized Tuesday for the way it has treated both its workers and the communities it serves, while acknowledging the systemic racism inherent in the museum's colonial history.

"We are sorry," the Victoria museum says in a statement posted on its website. "We will do better. We are committed to making changes and are following a comprehensive plan to ensure our actions align with our values."

The announcement follows an investigation by the B.C. Public Service Agency and a separate inclusion and psychological safety audit commissioned by the museum’s board. They were triggered by the resignation last summer of Lucy Bell, the museum’s head of Indigenous collections. She cited the racism she had experienced as one reason for her departure. The museum's CEO, Jack Lohman, stepped down in February.

The findings established that exhibits focus too narrowly on colonial history, that there was discrimination and discriminatory behaviour, and that many workers view the museum as a toxic workplace.

The museum said it will be reviewing "every aspect" of the organization, from governance, staffing, human resources policies and remuneration to collections, research, exhibits and repatriation. It said it plans to replace outdated human history displays with exhibits that reflect the diversity of the province's people and histories.

"This work will involve incorporating the experiences and contributions of contemporary Indigenous peoples, as well as Canadians from other cultural heritages, including Chinese, Japanese, South Asian and Black communities that have been underrepresented or ignored at the museum," it said.

Source: Royal British Columbia Museum