Royal BC Museum shutting down Becoming BC, First Peoples galleries as part of 'decolonization' efforts
CTV
The Royal BC Museum (RBCM) will begin closing down its First Peoples and Becoming BC galleries, which comprise the entire third floor of the downtown Victoria museum.
The museum says the galleries are being closed to support "decolonization" efforts, because many portions of the exhibits "focused on promoting the story of the European settlement of B.C."
Eventually, the third-floor galleries will be recreated to include a more diverse range of perspectives on the province's history.
"Decolonization of the museum’s galleries is important and long overdue," reads part of a statement from RBCM acting CEO Daniel Muzyka.
"This is necessary to begin the long-term work of creating new narratives that include under-represented voices and reflect the lived experiences and contemporary stories of the people in B.C.," he said.
The First Peoples and Becoming BC galleries will be closed in phases, before being completely shut down on Jan. 2, 2022.
The museum says the phased closure will give visitors a chance to view the exhibits as they currently appear before they're overhauled next year.
A portion of the First Peoples gallery is shown: (Royal BC Museum)
"Our government’s commitment to truth and reconciliation demands that we diversify and decolonize the way we share the history of B.C.," said B.C. Tourism Minister Melanie Mark in a statement Wednesday.
