National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Long before settlers arrived in what later became known as British Columbia, the land on which the museum and archives now stands is the traditional territory of the Lekwungen peoples, today represented by the Songhees and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations. The Royal BC Museum acknowledges and respects the history of Indigenous peoples, who are our partners today in museum matters and community alike.

Walking with Indigenous Peoples on September 30 and Beyond

While September 30 serves as a valuable day for reflection, commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is required year-round. We encourage everyone, including ourselves, to walk with First Nations and Indigenous peoples and continue to learn about Canada's damaging legacy of colonial assimilation and genocide. Royal BC Museum honours and remembers the Indigenous children taken from their families, their communities, and their cultures through the residential school system. We honour those who did not return home, and we honour those who survived.

Steps on Our Journey

The Royal BC Museum is committed to walking with Indigenous communities to uphold the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and to building our understanding of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, year-round through:

  • Mandatory staff participation in San'yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program;
  • Hosting Indigenous educational and cultural presentations and discussions with our staff and volunteers throughout the year;
  • Development of the First Peoples Gallery Committee that brought together 21 representatives from the 7 language families in BC. This committee has been working together to plan the redevelopment of the First Peoples Gallery;
  • The Royal BC Museum, BC Archives and IMAX® Victoria are committed to continuous dialogue and collaboration with Indigenous communities in British Columbia regarding the collections they hold and the programs they deliver. This includes the active repatriation and cooperative management of Indigenous collections, ancestral remains and burial belongings in their care. More information is available at https://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/indigenous/indigenous-collections-and-repatriation-department; and
  • Commitment to develop an internal action plan to align with the United Nations Declaration of Reconciliation of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).

Five Ways to Walk with Indigenous Peoples

Learn about how you as an individual can make a positive impact, on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and throughout the year.

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Residential Schools and Reconciliation Learning Pathway

Explore the Royal BC Museum’s Residential Schools and Reconciliation learning pathway, an engaging learning experience that uses videos, audio clips and photographs to educate people about the Indian Residential Schools program in Canada and its tragic impact on Indigenous communities across Canada.

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BC Archives Residential School Records

The BC Archives holds various records relating to residential schools. Included in our holdings are the records of religious congregations that worked at the schools, photographs, newsletters, annuals, government records (including lands records, vital events records, coroner’s inquests and inquiries, and more), sound recordings of survivors, and publications.

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