Galt Museum grants free admission for Indigenous
By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on April 5, 2022.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com Anyone who identifies as Indigenous is being granted free admission to the Galt Museum & Archives in Lethbridge. The Galt’s board of directors on March 17 unanimously passed a motion on the matter. The policy came into effect immediately and there is no expiration date, says the Galt in a press release. In a statement Galt CEO/executive director Darrin Martins said “we are pleased to further our ongoing reconciliation efforts by henceforth providing free regular admission to all people self-identifying as Indigenous. “Reducing barriers to our exhibitions and collections is a priority for the organization.” The Galt says the free admission is in line with its strategic plan that identifies reconciliation “as a key strategic initiative.” The plan, which was approved in December calls for “strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, expanding on representation of Indigenous history guided by Indigenous voices and leadership and continuing efforts in reconciliation and decolonization of museum practices”. The Galt statement said with no provincial guidelines or national standard, museums and galleries are “working through the lens of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to determine what is best for their organizations, the programs they employ and the communities that they serve.” The Galt is presently showing three Indigenous-led exhibitions. According to a release from the museum, the admissions decision also includes Fort Whoop Up. Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter 12-11
