[BCMA] Royal BC Museum launches repatriation grant program for Indigenous communities

Tue Apr 10 12:14:04 PDT 2018

April 10, 2018

The Royal BC Museum launches a new grant program
for Indigenous communities
VICTORIA, BC-Indigenous communities in BC engaged in the significant work of repatriating belongings or ancestors from cultural institutions across the globe can now apply for financial assistance from the Royal BC Museum.

Repatriation grants are available to First Nations in BC and associated organizations (e.g. cultural societies, repatriation committees, etc.) for the purpose of assisting in consultation, documentation and repatriation of First Nations cultural items, ancestral remains and burial items, as well as intangible cultural heritage (e.g. songs, stories and language recordings) from museums around the world.

"In the spirit of reconciliation, cultural institutions, including the Royal BC Museum, are repatriating cultural treasures to Indigenous communities throughout BC," said Prof. Jack Lohman, CEO of the Royal BC Museum. "My hope is that this granting program can lighten the financial burden of their rightful owners, Indigenous communities wishing to return materials to their places of origin and deepest meaning, their cultural homes."

The Province of BC, which in 2016 allocated $2M to the Royal BC Museum to develop a First Nations department and repatriation program, has made the grants possible; $500,000 is available to successful applicants through this program.

"These grants distributed by the Royal BC Museum are a step towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples," said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. "Returning ancestral remains and cultural objects is essential to recognizing historical wrongs and honouring the rich traditions of BC's history. This is important work that promotes healing and well-being for all British Columbians."

Each grant awarded could be up to $30,000. Applicants may submit one application only. Successful applicants will receive 80% on approval and 20% on completion and acceptance of a repatriation grant report.

The deadline for applications is 4:30 pm, May 28, 2018. Applications and more background information is available at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/first-nations/first-nations-repatriation/grant<https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/first-nations/first-nations-repatriation/grant>.

Applications will be reviewed by Royal BC Museum staff for completeness and clarity before the Grant Committee of the Royal BC Museum's First Nations Advisory and Advocacy Committee (FNAAC) reviews the submissions and identifies the successful applicants.

For more information about the Royal BC Museum's First Nations and Repatriation program, visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/first-nations/first-nations-repatriation<https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/first-nations/first-nations-repatriation>.

About the Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum explores the province's human history and natural history, advances new knowledge and understanding of BC, and provides a dynamic forum for discussion and a place for reflection. The museum and archives celebrate culture and history, telling the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire. Located in Victoria on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen (Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations), we are a hub of community connections in BC-onsite, offsite and online-taking pride in our collective histories.

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Media contact:
Royal BC Museum Media Inquiries
250-387-5051
news at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca<mailto:news at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca>
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