The definition of ‘history’ according to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary is “the study of past events, the past considered as a whole and the whole series of past events connected with someone or something.” The key to this definition is that history should represent the whole series of those events, including current events, that comprise the resulting makeup of a society or an individual. By selectively choosing certain events to define our history is not something that historians would agree to. As a society, we are what we are because of our collective history, good or bad, in its totality. We have certain museums wherein we normally store historical exhibits representing a country’s history. Most would agree that these exhibits should be inclusive, representing the past and historical events, including those of cultural, artistic or scientific interest. In terms of Canada’s history, such exhibits should include the history of indigenous peoples, elements of British and French colonialism, and the role of diverse ethnic groups, including those of European, Asian, Middle Eastern or Black heritage.
Unfortunately, there are those who choose instead to ignore aspects of our country’s history dating back to that representing indigenous peoples, the arrival of and settlement by the early Europeans, and the subsequent integration of many diverse immigrant groups across the country. Recently, I read an article that discloses that the Royal British Columbia Museum, declared by some as one of the world’s best regional museums, is demolishing some of Canada’s most iconic exhibits, many reflecting the province’s post-colonial history. B.C. Tourism Minister Melanie Mark defended the galleries’ removal by saying her government is merely adhering to the calls to action made by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. While there are exhibits representing B.C.’s indigenous history, First Nations mainly want a place where their names would be spelled correctly, cultural items would be displayed with respect and where their history would be represented as dynamically as it was for white British Columbians. Apparently, they did not want to eliminate those exhibits dealing with the working/middle class European (largely English) origin of the early immigrants, the contribution of Chinese immigrants and Punjabi-Canadians in the B.C. forestry sector. To correctly depict B.C.’s history in relation to the province as it is today, flaws and all, you cannot simply cheery pick events based on some form of “confirmation bias”. Apparently, some took it upon themselves to declare that the museum is systemically racist, anti-Indigenous and loaded with colonial space. What is more disturbing is that the museum curators, once the selected exhibits are removed, seemingly have no idea of what’s going to replace them.
As in the case of an individual, there are many historical events that have an important impact on the evolution of a country, its culture and its politics. Yes, we evolved from a state of colonialism into a democracy with all its flaws and good attributes. Our history should reflect this so that Canadians, whether born here or have immigrated, better understand how we arrived as today’s society. The facts of history themselves cannot be changed. However they can be interpreted in different ways, and it is up to historians to provide greater clarity based on recognized and diligent research and study. To make history interesting and given a more valid interpretation, we owe it to museums to reflect the totality of the history they purport to depict. As historical exhibitors, they have a responsibility to depict historical events or periods as they actually occurred. Failure to do so, would simply do an injustice to all of us trying to better understand our past. Let’s try not to politicize the role of museums whose essential role is to educate us, eliminate any distortions and provide the best factual foundation for our own interpretation of the past.
FROLITICKS 
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