The Museum of North Vancouver has received a hefty chunk of cash to continue its programming tied to local Coast Salish education and culture.
BMO gifted $400,000 to the Museum and Archives of North Vancouver (MONOVA), which will go to education, hands-on activities and events related to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).
“We recognize the ethical responsibility that museums and archives have in deepening understanding and respect for Indigenous peoples,” said Zoe Mackoff de Miranda, director at MONOVA. “Coast Salish programming and Indigenous storytelling are integral to the work we do towards truth and reconciliation.”
The recent gift is a renewal of previous funding the museum received from the bank in 2021.
Since then, the museum has been able to offer education through their school programming for elementary and secondary students. That has included Indigenous storytelling through exhibits, gallery tours and stories of local legends, learning about trees rooted in North Vancouver, and Coast Salish wool weaving workshops.
The programs and activities are led by Indigenous cultural programmers through the museum, but also knowledge keepers, artists, storytellers and speakers with local Coast Salish ties.
But BMO boosted the recent renewal by $50,000 after hearing the programming's impact.
“That’s really how the majority of the funds are spent – creating space and then inviting in and working in collaboration with members of the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh communities in particular, to share their culture, knowledge, gifts, share their language,” Mackoff de Miranda said.
Programming builds positive connections, Indigenous cultural programmer says
While the programming at the museum supports education and history, it also uplifts the people who share them.
Jordan Dawson, an Indigenous cultural programmer with the museum and a member of both the Squamish Nation and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw (Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribe), said leading the programs builds meaningful relationships with the community.
“We’re lifting the community as well as our people and our knowledge holders, and we’re building those connections in a good way, which is the most important part of the work we do,” Dawson said. “Whether that’s through programming or just myself and the community, it makes a big difference and creates a space where they want to be, as opposed to a space where we’re just checking off that box."
On top of the Coast Salish programming bringing stories to life, Dawson is figuring out ways to share the Skwxwú7mesh Sníchim (Squamish Language) in the museum.
Dawson has recorded the pronunciation of place names, which can be played at MONOVA, and incorporates the language through tours for school groups and the public.
“A lot of the time, we have language posted, but we don’t have an audio clip,” Dawson said. “So it’s really nice to be able to actually share audio of the language as well.”
“I know there’s a big need out there for people who want to learn the language, but also just our community members ourselves in the Squamish Nation who still really want to learn but never had access to it their entire lives.”
A private event was held at MONOVA celebrating the generous donation on June 19. Museum staff alongside members from the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan and District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little were in attendance sharing the appreciation of BMO’s renewed investment.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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