Today is the first day of Indigenous History Month. In recognition of this, we are sharing resources that we are using to take action on reconciliation in our own lives and work. As a settler-led organization, we are doing this work of unlearning and decolonizing along with many of you.
With this in mind, we will also be using our publicplatforms to highlight stories related to Truth-Telling, Reconciliation and Decolonization throughout June. We will be sharing the Indigenous stories and testimonies that are helping us better understand the truth of settler colonialism in BC. If you have related stories that you would like us to amplify within our heritage community, please email us.
Please take care of your well being when engaging with this content.
Some of the pieces shared below include mention of Residential 'Schools',
Assimilation, Intergenerational Trauma, and Colonial Impacts.
This resource discusses the Heritage Conservation Act, Bill C-15, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), laws on intellectual property, museums and archives, reserve lands, parks and more. It also includes a list of additional resources on laws and Indigenous cultural heritage, information on modern treaties and other legislation with impacts on Indigenous heritage. Learn more and download this resource.
Watch
Truth Telling as a Pre-Cursor to ReconciliationWatch Ry Moran, Canada’s inaugural Associate University Librarian – Reconciliation at the University of Victoria, explore the vital importance of truth telling in our collective work of reconciliation, healing and peace making. Central in Ry's talk is the importance of known and unknown histories in these efforts. Ry's talk is available for free on youtube.
Listen
Decolonizing our narratives with podcasts
In 2017, an article pronounced that "Indigenous podcasts have emerged as a tool to 'decolonize the airwaves' ". This much remains true half a decade later, as Indigenous podcasts offer a chance to learn about the histories and truths that have long been left out of Canada's dominant narratives.
Decolonize your education by finding your next podcast through a curated list, or dive right into the podcast we have lined up on our devices: Kuper Island with Anishinaabe journalist, Duncan McCue.
Share
Travelling exhibits on the residential 'school' system, sixties scoop
The Legacy of Hope Foundation is a national Indigenous charitable organization that educates, and creates awareness and understanding about the history of residential 'schools' and intergenerational traumas. Their work addresses racism, fosters empathy and understanding, and inspires action to improve the situation of Indigenous Peoples today.
They offer workshops and training, curricular resources and more. Consider borrowing a travelling exhibit from their Exhibition Catalogue, featuring exhibits that have been presented in 100 communities across Canada.
Implement
Setting the Bar: A Guide to Achieve New Standards for Reconciliation within the Heritage Sector It has been over a year since we first launched our Setting the Bar guide. The ten actions outlined in the guide are as relevant as ever for settler-led institutions making our first steps towards reconciliation in our communities.
This year, we were excited to see Heritage Societies such as Ladysmith's and Abbotsford's take the pledge.
What actions have you taken? What will you take next?
Board of Directors
Thank you to Jennifer Iredale, Katherine Carlson and Vincent Kwan whose tenure on our Board of Directors came to a close at our AGM last week. We are grateful for the years of dedicated time, energy and expertise that you have brought to our organization. We will miss you, and best of luck in your next endeavours.
And a warm welcome to our 2022/2023 Board ...
Britney Dack, Chair
Nelson Wight, Vice-Chair
Richard Bennett, Treasurer
Adam Hatch
Angie Bain
Berdine Jonker
Christina Reid
Dianne Hinkley
Kate Cox
Kathryn Gagnon
John Somogyi-Csizmazia
Judith Mosley
BECOME A MEMBER
Heritage BC is your provincial service organization supporting heritage conservation across British Columbia through education, training and skills development, capacity building in heritage planning and funding through the Heritage Legacy Fund.
Support your provincial heritage organization by becoming a member today. Membership fees start as low of $35.
As an organization of provincial scope, Heritage BC recognizes that its members, and the local history and heritage they seek to preserve, occupy the lands and territories of B.C.’s Indigenous peoples. Heritage BC asks its members and all people to reflect on the places where they reside and work, and to respect the diversity of cultures and experiences that form the richness of our provincial heritage.
