The CMA has initiated a working group to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s
Call to Action #67, which states:

We call upon the federal government to provide funding to the Canadian Museums Association to undertake, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, a national review of museum policies and best practices to determine the level of compliance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to make recommendations.

Group members (as of April 2018)

• Grant Anderson, Manitoba Indigenous and Northern Relations, Winnipeg MB
• Stephen Augustine, Indigenous Affairs & Unama’ki College, Cape Breton University, Sydney NS
• Morgan Baillargeon, Canadian Museum of History (retired), Tecumseh ON
• Catherine Bell, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB
• Jean-Marc Blais, interim observer on behalf of the national museums, Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau QC
• Stephen Borys, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg MB
• Nika Collison, Haida Gwaii Museum, Skidegate BC
• Pam Gross, Kitikmeot Heritage Society, Cambridge Bay NU
• Jane Fullerton, New Brunswick Museum (retired), CMA Board, Saint John NB
• John McAvity, CMA, Ottawa ON
• Sharon McLeod, University College of the North, The Pas MB
• Laureat Maureau, Musée Shaputuan, Sept-Îles QC
• Sarah Pash, Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute, CMA Board, Oujé-Bougoumou, QC
• Marie-Paule Robitaille, Musée de la civilisation (retired), Québec QC
• Anthony Shelton, UBC Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver BC

Current activities

• Search for a National Director, (application deadline is July 13, 2018)
• Next meeting: Fall 2018, Winnipeg MB, to be co-chaired by:
  • Sarah Pash, Executive Director, Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute, CMA Board,
    Oujé-Bougoumou, QC
  • Stephen Borys, Director and CEO, Winnipeg Art Gallery

Background materials

• Media release (June 1, 2018) research for National Director
• Media release  (May 1, 2018) outlining creation of the Reconciliation Working Group
• Bill C-391, a private member’s bill which calls for a national strategy for the repatriation of aboriginal cultural property, tabled in the House of Commons on February 1, 2018
• CMA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion
• CMA/AFN Task Force Report on Museums and First Peoples (1992)
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Contact

• Sarah Pash Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute, CMA Board, Oujé-Bougoumou, QC
• Jane Fullerton New Brunswick Museum (retired), CMA Board, Saint John NB
• John McAvity, CMA, Ottawa ON

Acknowledgements

The CMA secretariat is located on the traditional lands of the Algonquin peoples. CMA is grateful for the opportunity to live and learn on this territory in mutual respect and gratitude.