Royal BC Museum — Attraction in Victoria

3 overall - but mixed with some great parts and not as great parts. The IMAX theatre was a five star part, clean comfortable, not too crowded, enjoyable educational movie. The Stonehenge exhibit also five stars. Lots of well explained and well laid out content. The 5-minute movie at the beginning lays out the research and facts well in a short period of time. The natural exhibits were another five star part, there is enough variety to keep older and younger visitors engaged. The Modern Canada exihibit is not what I expected from a museum like this. A skidoo, CBC marketing from the 1970s, Oscar Peterson music... the content isn't old enough or part of a sufficiently coherent theme to be engaging for me or my children.

The problematic parts are politics and Indigenous content. Reading reviews about the so-called 'woke' and 'DEI' scrubbing of history show exactly why it is necessary to carefully curate the past. Showing the racism and ignorance of the past with no explanation, or disclaimers perpetuates it into today's world. It is equally as political to leave that content. It struck me that the 1950's BC movie in the old town portion had no dialogue in the parts that showed visibly Indigenous people. It had no content at all for any BC communities North of Kelowna. It shows how narrow the mainstream views in the 1950s were, and if there was dialogue about Indigenous peoples in the original version I don't want or need to hear it.

The museum's efforts and the expectations of its patrons around Indigenous content are fundamentally flawed. The Indigenous world is a living world. Wooden totem poles are supposed to rot and fall down after many years, not be uprooted and placed in a building as an artifact. Much of a true Indigenous experience is lived. The exhibit around Living Languages is a reasonable effort to acknowledge that, but it still feels like a story being told by someone other than the storyteller.

You can enter the museum as an Indigenous person for free. Ok, but self-identification is the 'proof', which seems open to abuse. They don't want to see status cards. The expectations of some museum patrons that Native American content is a relic of the past, and a tourist attraction are hard to escape. I dont think there is any way for the Royal BC Museum to 'win' in this area. It also doesn't seem like they are currently able to navigate it well.

What I found interesting is the movie in the Stonehenge exhibit seemed to strike more of an Indigenous balsnce without even mentioning it. Talking about the sister timber circle for the living and the stone circle for the ancestors. The museum feels like it has more authority to talk abot Indigenous Britain than Indigenous 'British Columbia'.

The value for the cost was another part that was not 5 stars. Overall it was...

The Royal British Columbia museum is one of the oldest continually operating museums in Canada. A cultural center of learning and research, it strives to broaden understanding of British Columbia through collections, exhibits, outreach, and community engagement. Through community collaboration, the museum works to share the stories of British Columbia and provides a dynamic space for discussion and reflection.

Since the early days of the colonial settlement in Victoria, the museum has collected and preserved the provinc's significant artifacts and specimens for future generations.

The museum was founded in 1886 in response to a petition signed by 30 prominent citizens. It was housed in a single room adjoining the provincial secretary's office in The Capitol buildings.

In 1913, the provincial government proclaimed the museum act, giving the museum formal operating authority and defining its objectives.

To secure and preserve specimens illustrating the natural History of the province.

To collect anthropological material relating to the indigenous peoples of the province.

To obtain information respecting the natural sciences, relating, particularly to the natural History of the province, and diffuse knowledge regarding the same.

The museum is also building PARC campus - the provincial archives, research and collections building in Colwood, British Columbia. The provinces, es collections and archives will move to the new building, except for the indigenous collection which will remain at the downtown site where reparations and community consultation will continue to guide the future of the collections. During this complex process of reimagination, not only will the future of the museums, physical presence and facilities but also its responsibilities to the public, but the staff is undergoing organization changes as well. Going forward in this transitional phase, the organization strives to adhere to the standard of conduct that prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility, and continues to value curiosity...

It was good but not as I expected. Maybe, it's because I was too exhausted of walking a lot in Victoria Island :/ Anyway, below is my research about Royal BC Museum: The Royal British Columbia Museum is a world-renowned museum located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Established in 1886, it is one of the oldest museums in Western Canada and has been preserving and sharing the history and culture of the region for over a century.

One of the main highlights of the Royal BC Museum is its First Peoples gallery, which showcases the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Visitors can learn about the traditions, beliefs, and way of life of the Haida, Kwakwaka'wakw, Nisga'a, and other First Nations communities through a range of interactive exhibits and artifacts. Another must-see exhibit at the Royal BC Museum is the Natural History gallery, which explores the diverse flora and fauna of the region. From towering trees to tiny insects, visitors can learn about the unique ecosystems of British Columbia and the creatures that call them home. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Royal BC Museum also hosts a range of temporary exhibitions on a variety of subjects. Past exhibitions have covered topics such as World War I, the history of hockey, and the life and work of famous Canadian painter Emily Carr. Visitors can also explore the museum's archives and research center, which houses a vast collection of documents, photographs, and artifacts related to the history and culture of British Columbia. Researchers and history buffs can spend hours poring over these resources, uncovering new insights into the past. Overall, the Royal BC Museum is a truly exceptional institution that provides a window into the rich history and culture of British Columbia. Whether you're a local resident or a visiting tourist, it is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning more...