From the Canadian Museums Association
As conveyed in the Canadian Museums Association’s recent Moved to Action report, it is not up to Indigenous People to reconcile, but to speak truth to power. It falls to settlers to reconcile themselves to the true history of where institutions like museums have caused harm, and address this in ways identified by Indigenous Peoples. New museum standards have been set with the understanding that achieving these will take time, respect, and reciprocity.
Small museums are both uniquely challenged and positioned to support Indigenous self-determination and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). With few staff and minimal resources, small museums must be strategic. But, as they are often community gathering spaces, small museums can and do build strong relationships across communities.
The new Small Museums Handbook from the Canadian Museums Association is designed to provide guidance to support Indigenous self-determination where only one or a few are taking on this work. It is divided into four sections, repatriation, engagement, governance, and operations, that provide step-by-step support. As an interactive workbook, there is also space for notes to reflect and record your progress, as well as links to relevant resources, recommended case studies, and crowd-sourced solutions to some common hurdles.