Opportunity Question:
How can we best support MONOVA decolonize their collections?
Term: SPRING 2022
Department: Communications
Course: CMNS 261 – Interpreting Communication Documents
Instructor: Kym Stewart
Staff contact: Carol Ballard, Daien Ide (MONOVA); with support by MONOVA Indigenous Programmers
Project Description:
In support of continued efforts to decolonize their collection, The Museum of North Vancouver & Archives (MONOVA) are collaborating with CMNS 261 to respond to conversations with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Elders at MONOVA . Students will be producing a reflection piece to be shared back with the Elders and their communities.
In June 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) held its closing event in Ottawa and presented the executive summary of the findings including 94 “calls to action” to further reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.
At MONOVA, we feel strongly that museums and archives have an active role to play in responding to these TRC calls to action. Calls to action 67 to 70 speak directly to the role that museums and archives play in achieving reconciliation.
In 2019, British Columbia became the first province in Canada to legally commit to bringing its laws up to the standards outlined in the U.N. Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). (MONOVA website)
The North Vancouver City Library is a member of the Semá7maka canoe family. The Semá7maka family is one of many who participate in the annual Pulling Together journey each summer. The program is a partnership among Indigenous communities, law enforcement and public service organizations that focus on supporting and strengthening relationships with area youth.
The project will include:
·Having Squamish or Tsleil-Waututh Elders visit class (1-3 visits) to share knowledge and histories important to reconciliation
·Individually working with Archivist and team to support more fulsome research for documentation based off list of transcriptions (Choose Jan 31st)
·Learning about the archives and its resources – Feb 7th 2023
·Transcription of Interviews of Indigenous Elders at the Museum (if happens within timeline)
Reflection piece: What did you learn? What do people need to know to further Truth and Reconciliation actions?
