OLD MUSEUM, NEW MUSEUM?

Mayor Don Iveson suggested on the weekend that Edmonton would be an ideal location for a new national museum of aboriginal heritage and culture. It is a concept, he said, that could breath new life into the former Royal Alberta Museum site and more importantly, be “a way to tangibly express a commitment to reconciliation.”

Iveson, who floated the idea at a meeting of urban planners as part of a panel on building in an era of reconciliation, said it is a concept in its infancy. It is an idea that is worth talking about; the City of Edmonton is home to more than 61,000 indigenous residents, according to the 2011 census, second only to Winnipeg among Canada’s urban centres. A new facility dedicated to exploring the past, present and future of this country’s diversity of First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities would be a welcome addition to this city’s growing hub of cultural institutions.

But the starting point must be with indigenous groups in the Edmonton region. What do leaders, elders and other members of Treaty 6 and the region’s Métis community think about the concept? If there is no buy-in there, then the trial balloon is popped and should go no further.

Beyond that are dozens of other questions: Would the former museum building be an appropriate location for something like this? While it is a nice example of 1960s design, the facility needs millions of dollars in repairs. Would its boxy, compartmentalized layout fit with the objectives of a new aboriginal museum? (There is always the potential to completely reimagine the space, as happened with the old Art Gallery of Alberta building downtown).

Even if the old museum site is not deemed an appropriate venue for a new cultural institution focused on indigenous history and culture, that doesn’t mean shutting the door on the idea. There is plenty of space in Edmonton for creative thinking that ties the city to Canada’s aboriginal heritage and its future.

For a time, Edmonton hoped to enter the landscape of national cultural institutions by becoming home to a National Portrait Gallery. That concept was ultimately put on ice by the federal government. This idea could be a much better fit for Edmonton.

There may be people who believe Edmonton is doing enough to reflect indigenous stories and traditions through exhibits at the new Royal Alberta Museum and with updates to Fort Edmonton. There is no reason it should be an either-or proposition. An idea like this will require many champions, Iveson said, and he’s right. That will include major commitments from the federal and provincial governments and involvement from First Nations across the country.