SUNDRE — Council recently heard that upgrading the Sundre & District Museum to feature audio tours is among projects currently being considered.
Jane Atkins, who was presenting to council on behalf of the Sundre & District Historical Society during the regular March 28 meeting, said the non-profit organization appreciates all of the collaborative efforts with the municipality on a myriad of endeavours including hosting community events like Winterfest, Canada Day and Culture Days.
“We’re really proud of our history, and we know the Town of Sundre is proud of it as well,” she said.
Of course those efforts would without financial support not be feasible in the first place, and Atkins expressed gratitude for funding provided by the town.
“The grant that you have given helped us to keep our museum open. For the last two years, it’s been a struggle,” she said. “Thank you for believing in our endeavours and supporting us as much as possible as we bring our history to our visitors.”
Yet despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic, she said the society’s board of directors was able to hire two fresh faces — Hailey Lightbown, the museum’s executive director, and Clara Shand, who will oversee the World of Wildlife.
“They’ve got lots of ideas for projects,” said Atkins, adding plans include considering ways to increase youth involvement at the museum.
“We’re looking at audio tours,” she said, adding that approach is affordable and also offers a great way to ensure visitors are still able to get information about the displays even when there aren’t enough staff on-hand.
Atkins also extended council an open invitation to join an upcoming clean-up effort to tidy up the museum and historic village ahead of peak visitor season.
“Some of the buildings need to be cleaned,” she said, adding the grounds also need to be tidied up. “It would be really nice to spruce it all up for our visitors.”
The clean-up day is tentatively set for April 30, but could depending on the weather potentially be postponed to May 7, she said.
“I’m actually kind of glad to hear you guys are doing the audio (tours),” said Coun. Chris Vardas. “Everywhere you go now, the audio’s actually the best way to go.”
Atkins said an added benefit is the ability to include multiple languages.
“The group that we found actually does it for a very minimal charge,” she said. “They’ll put it into eight different languages.”
Council invited to join KAIROS blanket exercise
Atkins went on to encourage members of council to consider participating in an upcoming educational program that aims to raise awareness about reconciliation with Indigenous people through education and understanding.
“Before COVID happened, Greenwood Neighbourhood Place, myself and several others were hoping to do a community KAIROS blanket exercise,” she said.
According to its website, KAIROS Canada created the blanket exercise in response to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People.
The program uses an illustrative method to show participants what happened and not only how original people but also nature were detrimentally impacted when colonials first arrived in Canada and headed west, said Atkins.
Blankets are placed on the ground in the shape of Canada, and are removed one at a time to recognize historical turning points such as the annihilation of bears out east.
“So, we gradually take away blankets because of things that happened, or we eliminate people because things happened. And then you’re left with basically the relationship of First Nations people and the whole of Canada,” she said.
“It’s a powerful visual to see why reconciliation is so important,” she said. “I would propose that we do it as a town.”
Either way, she added the museum plans to make arrangements for the blanket exercise, which with restrictions being eased could also feature guest speakers.
Visit www.kairosblanketexercise.org for more information.
“I certainly don’t know anything about that,” candidly confessed Mayor Richard Warnock, who nevertheless recognized a potential educational opportunity and suggested administration could determine possible dates that could work for council.
Council proceeded to carry a motion accepting Atkins' presentation for information.
