Government of Canada supports the Nanaimo Museum

On September 12, 2024, Taleeb Noormohamed, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced a significant investment of $230,000 for the Nanaimo Museum in British Columbia. This funding, part of the Access to Heritage component of the Museums Assistance Program, aims to enhance cultural programming and outreach initiatives. The museum will develop a bilingual traveling exhibit titled 'Esquimalt & Nanaimo (E&N) Railway Land Grants: 140 Years Later,' which will explore the historical context of the E&N Railway and its land grants on Vancouver Island. The exhibit will address the ongoing impacts of colonialism and land grants on First Nation treaty negotiations, as well as the implications for future transportation amid the climate crisis. In collaboration with the Vancouver Island Local History Society, the Nanaimo Museum plans to display the exhibit in nontraditional community spaces along the E&N Railway, from Victoria to Campbell River. This approach aims to reach broader audiences and promote accessibility to the region's collective history. The Nanaimo Museum, which serves over 48,000 visitors annually, focuses on connecting the past, present, and future through its exhibitions. The new exhibit will also include educational programs aligned with the British Columbia curriculum and an interpretative catalogue, further enriching the learning experience for students and community members. Both the Nanaimo Museum and the Vancouver Island Local History Society expressed gratitude for the support from Canadian Heritage, emphasizing the importance of sharing lesser-known historical narratives. This initiative is expected to foster a deeper understanding of local history and promote inclusivity within the community.