Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide Wins National Award

The Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide [PDF - 16 MB], a Burnaby Village Museum project developed in partnership with the Kwantlen, Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh, Tsleil-Waututh and xʷməθkʷəyə̓ m (Musqueam) First Nations, has earned national distinction from the Canadian Museums Association.

The Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide received the 2020 CMA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Education. This award recognizes one exceptional museum project which advances knowledge and understanding by reaching new audiences or enhancing existing ones.

The guide provides an overview of hən̓ q̓ əmin̓ əm̓ and Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh history in Burnaby from the time of the ancestors to the present day. Published in October 2019, the guide is considered a living document that will be updated through ongoing conversations with all First Nations who share territory in Burnaby. It is available as a free, downloadable PDF.

The Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide covers the Coast Salish world before Burnaby, contact and dispossession, colonialism and today’s contemporary communities. The resource guide explores Indigenous history in three specific areas — North Burnaby, Central Valley and South Burnaby. The 27-page guide is suitable for Grade 5 students and up, as well as adult learners. It includes photographs, sidebar stories and a glossary.

Burnaby School District staff also played a role in the development of the guide, ensuring that it will be used as a resource to enhance Indigenous and place-based learning in Burnaby schools.

Quotes:

“We share this honour with the communities who shared their history and knowledge as we developed this guide,” said Deborah Tuyttens, Cultural Heritage Manager for Burnaby Village Museum. “This award recognizes the value of promoting and expanding Indigenous knowledge and learning in our museums and communities.”

“The Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide has proven to be an invaluable resource for our staff at the City of Burnaby as we work to implement the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada,” said Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley. “Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the development of this

exceptional guide.”

“The guide, from my perspective, represents an opportunity to write our own history, the way we understand it,” said Michelle George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation Treaty, Lands and Resources Department. “It is about being able to tell First Nations history from a First Nations perspective.”

Learn more:
https://museums.ca/site/aboutthecma/newsandannouncements/july202020
Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide [PDF - 16 MB]

Media Contact:
Chris Bryan
Manager, Corporate Communications
Corporate Communications and Marketing Departments
604-570-3616 | Chris.Bryan@burnaby.ca