Royal B.C. Museum chairman apologizes after report finds racism, offensive exhibits

VICTORIA — The chairman of the Royal British Columbia Museum is apologizing to an Indigenous whistleblower after a report cited acts of racism and discrimination at the facility in Victoria.

The report says the museum’s core galleries, particularly human history exhibits, are outdated, some displays are offensive and they reinforce the colonial history of the province.

It found acts of racism and discrimination against Indigenous team members and other people of colour.

Chairman Daniel Muzyka says the museum must do better in how it treats employees and address the systemic racism embedded in its 135-year-old history.

Last July, Lucy Bell, the museum’s head of Indigenous collections, resigned from her role citing racism she experienced as one of the reasons.

The report says it was a watershed moment for the museum and its board which led to an independent investigation and an active review of its workplace culture, leadership and training.