[BCMA] Museum sector closures?

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Hello all

What a great conversation to start. We too are working towards a decision. We are a large Cultural Centre, Museum, Cafe and Gift Shop in Whistler, BC.

Tourism Whistler has closed it’s visitor centre until November 26th, discouraging visitor travel to Whistler.  On Tuesday, with this in mind, and after talking to staff and the leadership team, the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler closed to the public this week.  The majority of our guests are tourists, and although my dream is that one day our First Nations museum will be an essential service to locals (so they can learn about the land they work, live, and play on; gleaning stewardship and knowledge from Squamish and Lil’wat Nations), we are not there yet and need to take action that mitigates exposure from groups deciding to not follow Dr. Henry’s recommendations.

·         The SLCC staff are all healthy, with no reported COVID cases amongst them or their community
·         We are still running private tours for schools – both in person and virtually
·         Our online Gift Shop  is still open, with curbside pickup options www.slcc.ca<http://www.slcc.ca>
·         This month we will be bringing back the successful “Bringing Home the Bannock” Friday take out dinner and meal kit options
·         The Indigenous Youth Ambassador Educational program will still be taking place in the building
·         We are scheduled to reopen on November 26th, but are now reassessing based on Trudeau and Dr. Henry’s recent “essential travel” announcement.
·         During this 4 day closure our safety protocols have been reaffirmed as we continue to make the SLCC a safe, inspiring, and welcoming place for visitors and locals

At the SLCC we are 95% Indigenous staff living on reserve traveling up to 3 hours a day to work in Whistler. I am so proud of the staff and the example they have been in their communities over the last 8 months. The young Indigenous adults working in the building have taken actions and stepped up their safety protocols selflessly, embracing a deeper isolation in order to save Elders and Knowledge Keepers, preserving a near-extinct language, culture and history. They make their ancestors proud, and their great-grand-children will know the benefits of this sacrifice and love.

In Canada we call them the most vulnerable. In COVID, I have witnessed the Indigenous people as the most powerful. Their stewardship, intent, and compassion for each other is saving lives.

Huy Chexw (thank you) Wa Chexw Yuu (take care)– Squamish Language
Kukw`stumc`kalap (Thank-you all) – Lil’wat Language,

Heather Paul – Executive Director - Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Cell: 604.966.4247
________________________________
From: bcma-bounces at lists.vifa.ca <bcma-bounces at lists.vifa.ca> on behalf of Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv. <bcma at lists.vifa.ca>
Sent: November 20, 2020 9:44:08 AM
To: bcma at lists.vifa.ca
Subject: [BCMA] Museum sector closures?

Hi All,

I’m wondering how those in the Museum sector are interpreting the recent provincial health orders in terms of the limitations on community events and gatherings? If anyone has any experiences or concrete plans already hashed out, please let me know either by the listserve or personally: jane.lemke at burnaby.ca

Jane Lemke MA, MMSt
Curator
Direct: 604-297-4542
City of Burnaby  |  Burnaby Village Museum
6501 Deer Lake Ave |  Burnaby, BC V5G 3T6

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