[BCMA] BCMA Council Update and Apology

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

On Monday, September 28th, Sharanjit Kaur Sandra (Sharn) officially
resigned from the BC Museums Association’s (BCMA) Council. As an expert in
critical race theory, as the first Sikh/Punjabi woman in the Council’s 70+
year history, and as a vocal champion of anti-racism within the museum
sector, Sharn’s resignation is a tremendous loss to the BCMA.

Repeatedly in 2020 the resignations and dismissals of BIPOC (Black,
Indigenous, and People of Colour) professionals at Canadian cultural
institutions demonstrate that colonial legacies and practices are still a
part of the fabric of our sector. Sharn urged the BCMA to speak out against
racist and discriminatory practices within the museum sector and, as an
organization, we failed. We failed to effectively communicate, to make a
critical statement in a timely fashion, and most importantly, we failed to
work together in a way that ensured that everyone left feeling respected
and valued.

The BC Museums Association condemns racism, discrimination, and oppression
in all forms, and we pledge to work to support equity, diversity, and
inclusion both as an organization and within our sector. A critical part of
this work is being open, honest, and transparent about our shortcomings and
to speak publicly about how we can improve.

This experience has shown just how far the BCMA must go to truly promote
equity, diversity, and inclusion within its organizational practices and
culture. Creating an inclusive culture goes beyond making statements and
adopting pledges, it requires effort, action, and honesty. Through this
statement we hope to be honest and to own our failures. The next steps,
effort and action, will take time, but in the coming weeks, months, and
years, we hope to demonstrate to our community that our pledge transcends
words and platitudes.

To Sharn, we would like to publicly apologize to you. Thank you for
everything you have contributed to the BCMA and for your critical work in
organizing and moderating the *Beyond the Black Squares *panel at our
upcoming virtual conference.

Sincerely,

Ryan Hunt, Executive Director & the Council of the BC Museums Association

*-This statement is available on our website
<http://museumsassn.bc.ca/bcma-council-update-and-apology/>*
*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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