FOR THE first time, the BC Museums Association hosts its annual general meeting with workshops here in Terrace.
And the public will get a chance to not only see and hear world renowned author and explorer Wade Davis at a public lecture but also take part in a workshop with him.
The decision to bring the meeting and workshops up here came about from the BCMA members themselves at the regular conference in Kamloops last October, said Peter Ord, vice-president of BCMA and director/curator of Penticton Museum and Archives.
“This was based on a survey from our membership that indicated the BCMA should host events like the AGM around the province so museums with tiny travel budgets can participate in our programs,” he said.
Having the meeting here is special as it allows local heritage groups to highlight the uniqueness of Terrace, he added.
About 30 to 40 members of the association are expected to come, most from the northern region of the province, he said.
And having Wade Davis here is also special.
“Having a world renowned advocate for heritage and culture like Wade Davis speak at an event in his own backyard is a true honour for the BCMA,” said Ord.
Davis, an anthropologist, author and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, wrote the book The Sacred Headwaters: The Fight to Save the Stikine, Skeena and Nass last year, and will be the keynote speaker of the event.
And workshops designed for museum professionals are now open to the public.
“The workshops have been extended to the public to offer residents of our region’s communities an opportunity to participate in the overall experience, interact with delegates/presenters and share their perspectives on what makes the sacred landscapes and cultural geography of northern B.C. so unique,” said conference coordinator for BCMA Naomi Gourlay, adding that many people are excited to welcome Davis back to the northwest.
The event, with the theme Shapers of Place—Exploring the Faces and Places of the Sacred Headwaters, kicks off with an opening reception at Heritage Park Museum the evening of June 14.
On June 15, the workshop Wayfinders will be facilitated by Wade Davis at Kitselas Canyon and will help people understand the spiritual nature of landscape and how it can help understand the cultural geographies of different B.C. regions.
The second workshop that afternoon, Place-based Tourism and presented by BCMA tourism partners at the Terrace Art Gallery, will be a panel-led workshop about strategies to highlight our unique destination within local tourism and building identity and adding value to the region’s tourism character.
Davis gives the keynote public lecture on the Sacred Headwaters at the REM Lee Theatre June 15.