[BCMA] BCMA Anti-Racism Statement

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Throughout 2020 we have seen resignations and dismissals of BIPOC (Black,
Indigenous, and People of Colour) from museums, galleries, and cultural
organizations across the country, that shine a spotlight on the racism and
discrimination that are commonplace in Canada’s cultural sector. The Globe
and Mail article
<https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-royal-bc-museum-responds-to-accusations-of-racism/>
published
on September 12th regarding Lucy Bell’s experiences at the Royal BC Museum
clearly shows that discrimination is as much a reality in British
Columbia’s cultural sector as it is in the rest of Canada.

The mandate of the BC Museums Association (BCMA) states that we exist to
provide “a unified voice for the institutions, trustees, professional staff
and volunteers.” Let us now clearly and unequivocally use that voice – *racism
and discrimination are unacceptable*. As a sector, as organizations, and as
individuals we *must* prioritize eliminating systemic racism and
discrimination by devoting time, effort, and funding to address these
injustices.

We recognize that racism is pervasive in our field and in our society, but
we are also keenly aware that the BCMA lacks the experience and diversity
to be a voice that can speak on behalf of those who face discrimination.
While we cannot speak on behalf of BIPOC museum professionals, we can
provide our unwavering support and belief, and a platform to amplify these
critical voices. To help the BCMA provide a platform for new voices and to
expand our organization’s diversity and expertise we are dedicated to
creating new opportunities for BIPOC professionals to join our team and our
Council. In the coming weeks we will have updates to share about new
opportunities to lend your voice and work with the BCMA.

We also encourage all museum professionals to join our Virtual Conference
next week where we have opportunities to explore how BC’s cultural sector
can support diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism:

   - *Thursday, October 8, 11am-12pm: **Beyond the Black Squares: A
   Meaningful Conversation on Museums and Allyship*
   <https://members.museumsassn.bc.ca/public/event/details/3274ea1f99e224096f361fd0ee2957e8c70fb687/1>
      - This panel – a bold, honest and meaningful conversation led by
      IBPOC museum professionals across Canada will reflect on the ongoing race
      revolution around the world, the unsilencing of racism within white-led
      institutions and specific calls to action on how museums can become true
      allies. Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra, Sdaahl Ḵ’awaas Lucy Bell, 方靜怡
Denise Fong,
      and Armando Perla will share their range of experiences and truths, but
      through those experiences offer meaningful solutions to museums
and museum
      leaders.
   - *Thursday, October 8, 1-2pm: **A Conversation on** Decolonization*
   <https://members.museumsassn.bc.ca/public/event/details/b7aeee373e5a3b3f579465b9b97bb080d0a17fc8/1>
      - Taking steps to decolonize your institution’s practices requires
      time, empathy, relationship building, and emotional investment. Join
      Ta7talíya Nahanee and Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George for a
      facilitated discussion of how you can take meaningful steps to
improve your
      practices no matter where you are in your decolonizing journey.
   - *Roundup Issue 279: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in
   BC’s Cultural Sector (Coming Soon)*
      - This issue will highlight diverse voices, perspectives, stories,
      and experiences from across the province and asks contributors for their
      straightforward and honest recommendations on how museums, galleries, and
      other culture and heritage organizations can work to become spaces of
      activism, inclusion, and better represent their communities.

The work to support BIPOC members of our community and to support our
partners and members to dismantle colonial systems of oppression to
transform our sector to truly support diversity and inclusion will take
time. If you have suggestions or feedback on our work, or ways we can
improve our practices, please contact us (bcma at museumsassn.bc.ca) and share
your voice. We will continue to update the Accessibility, Diversity, and
Inclusion
<http://museumsassn.bc.ca/brain/tools-and-resources/diversity-and-inclusion/>
page
of our website with new resources and opportunities as they are developed.

If you are interested in learning about other organizations and groups in
Canada working to improve our sector, here are links to learn more:

   - Sector Equity for Anti-Racism in the Arts (SEARA)
   <https://searafund.ca/> (website launching soon)
   - Museum Professionals of Colour (MPOC)
   <https://www.facebook.com/mpoc.uoft/>
   - Decolonizing Practices <https://www.decolonizingpractices.org/>
   - Cicely Blain Consulting <https://www.cicelyblainconsulting.com/>


*Ryan Hunt*
Executive Director
Pronouns: He/him

The BC Museums Association Secretariat is located on the traditional lands
of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations. We are grateful for the
opportunity to live and learn here in mutual respect and appreciation.

BC Museums Association || 675 Belleville Street  || Victoria, BC || V8W 9W2

Direct: 250-884-0499 || Office: 250-356-5700  || www.museumsassn.bc.ca


BCMA‘s *first-ever* virtual conference is happening from October 6 - 8,
2020. *Registration is free! *museumsassn.bc.ca/conferences/2020-conference/
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