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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif" align="center"><b><span style="color:black">BC MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION 50^th ANNIVERSARY AWARDS: <span></span></span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif" align="center"><b><span style="color:black">CELEBRATING INNOVATION, SOCIAL IMPACT, AND BRAVE VOICES<span></span></span></b></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">VICTORIA, BC </span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">–</span><span style="color:black"> </span></b><span style="color:black">Museum, gallery, heritage
professionals and volunteers from every corner of British Columbia came
together for </span><span style="color:black">the BC Museums Association</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">s (BCMA) 50^th
anniversary Awards for Outstanding Achievement on October 28, 2021. This
virtual event recognized institutions and individuals who embody excellence in
the province</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">s museums, galleries,
and heritage sector, who dedicate their careers to making a difference in their
communities, and who challenge us to never stop growing and evolving. <span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">“The past two years have been
unbelievably challenging for museums but looking at the nominees and winners
gives me hope that the future of BC’s heritage sector will be a bright
one," says Ryan Hunt, BCMA’s Executive Director. "Congratulations to
all of the 2021 recipients.”<span></span></span></p>





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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">Adrienne Silver and the team</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> </span><span style="color:black">at St</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">ó</span><span style="color:black">:L</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">ō</span><span style="color:black"> Aboriginal Skills &
Employment Training (SASET)</span></b><span style="color:black"> received the <b>Award
of Merit: Excellence in Social Action.</b></span><b><span style="color:rgb(68,114,196)"> </span></b><span style="color:black">SASET makes it possible for museums to engage Indigenous
youth in a transformative way and be the change through hiring practices. SASET
creates positive social impact through the generous method of reciprocity in
their work; not only do they provide funding, but they provide ongoing support
to all parties and ensure that they build relationships with the organizations
they fund.</span><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(68,114,196)"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(68,114,196)"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">The Reach Gallery Museum and contributors</span></b><span style="color:black"> received the <b>Award of Merit: Excellence in Community
Engagement </b>for</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> </span><i><span style="color:black">SEM</span></i><i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Á</span><span style="color:black">:TH
XO:TSA: Great-Gramma</span></i><i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">s
Lake</span></i><span style="color:black"> storybook. Key contributors include: Thet</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">á</span><span style="color:black">x Chris Silver, X</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">é</span><span style="color:black">mont</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">é</span><span style="color:black">l</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">ó</span><span style="color:black">t Carrielynn Victor, Kris Foulds, and Laura Schneider. The
Reach</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">s Sem</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">á</span><span style="color:black">:th</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> </span><span style="color:black">Xo:tsa project, in</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> </span><span style="color:black">partnership with St</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">ó</span><span style="color:black">:l</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">ō</span><span style="color:black"> collaborators, resulted in the publication of a children</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">s book, exhibition and community
programs about the drainage of Sumas Lake in 1924. The project renounces the
celebratory settler narrative to focus on the enduring and profound impact
drainage had on the lives and livelihood of the St</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">ó</span><span style="color:black">:l</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">ō</span><span style="color:black"> people.<span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">University
of Victoria and Partner Organizations </span></b><span style="color:black">received
the <b>Award of Merit: Innovative Practice</b> for</span><i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> </span><span style="color:black">Landscapes of Injustice</span></i><span style="color:black">, a partnership of museums, community, and academics that
sheds new light on the history of racism in Canada.<span>  </span>Partner organizations include: Canadian
Museum of Immigration, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Nikkei National
Museum, Royal BC Museum, University of Alberta, University of Winnipeg, Simon
Fraser University, Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall,
National Association of Japanese Canadians, Library and Archives Canada, and Ryerson
University.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black"><br>
The Bateman Foundation</span></b><span style="color:black"> received this year</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">s <b>People</b></span><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">s Choice Award</span></b><span style="color:black"> for their Wellness Program which supported the mental
wellbeing of their community by providing free therapeutic art programming. Facilitated
by art therapist Kaitlin McManus, the programs were aimed at helping those
experiencing anxiety and depression in the wake of COVID-19 by allowing participants
to express themselves through mindful art making.<span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">The following <b>Honourable Mentions </b>were also awarded
by the BCMA Awards Committee:</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> </span><span style="color:black"><span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">The Pacific Museum of Earth </span></b><span style="color:black">for pivoting so successfully during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding
their reach, and becoming a role model to larger institutions.<span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">Sncewips Heritage Museum</span></b><span style="color:black">
for celebrating Indigenous culture and heritage through fun, fresh, and
engaging online video content during the COVID-19 pandemic.<span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">The<b> Council of the Haida Nation, Haida Gwaii Museum, and
School District 50</b> for their <i>iPads for Elders</i> program which helped
equalize access to technology among the islands</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black"> senior citizens.<span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">The<b> Museum
of Anthropology & Contributing Artists</b> for</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> </span><i><span style="color:black">Playing with Fire:
Ceramics of the Extraordinary</span></i><span style="color:black">, an
exhibition that brought attention to social, economic, political issues and
challenges. Contributing artists include: Judy Chartrand, Gathie Falk, Ian
Johnston, Glenn Lewis, Bill Rennie, Brendan Tang, Ying-Yueh Chuang, Jeremy
Hatch, David Lambert, Alwyn O</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">Brien,
and Debra Sloan.<br>
<br>
<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Individuals were also recognized for their extraordinary
contributions. <span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">Colleen
Palumbo</span></b><span style="color:black">, formerly of the Golden &
District Historical Society, received a <b>Distinguished Service Award</b>
which honours an individual who has made a unique and outstanding contribution
on a regional, provincial, or national basis over an extended period of time.
Colleen recently retired after 30 years of operating the Golden Museum and
Archives. She nurtured the museum into a community-oriented, inclusive,
accessible organization.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">Sdahl K</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">’</span><span style="color:black">awaas
Lucy Bell,</span></b><span style="color:black"> Haida Repatriation Committee,
received the <b>Museum Stewardship Award</b> which recognizes an outstanding
effort and contribution with a lasting impact to the sector. In her nomination,
Bell was described as having </span><span style="color:black">“rocked the entire world of the GLAM
sector on the West Coast [causing] a ripple effect to enact meaningful change
and motivate others to be enactors of change”.</span><span style="color:black"><span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">A full list of winners, honourable mentions and nominees is
available </span><a href="https://museum.bc.ca/2021-bcma-awards-nominees/" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline">on
our website</a>.<b><span style="color:black"><span></span></span></b></p>





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