VICTORIA One of British Columbia Premier John Horgan s closest advisors has been appointed to the board of the Royal BC Museum as the institution attempts to fix a workplace culture that has triggered a formal investigation into allegations of racism and bullying. A former B.C. finance minister and now special advisor to the premier, Carole James was appointed to the museum s board of directors by an order of the province s executive council on Friday. Her term is scheduled to continue until July 31, 2023. Earlier in the week, the museum announced the abrupt departure of chief executive Jack Lohman, and the premier told reporters he was very concerned by staff allegations of racism at the Victoria institution.
Board chairman Dan Muzyka will be acting CEO until the museum hires Lohman’s replacement. “It will be hard walking out the door as I care so very deeply about the museum and about making it forever better,” Lohman wrote in his email. “And my enthusiasm has never been stronger for our work and the many calls for greater social accountability.” The museum is the subject of a months-long investigation after the former head of the Indigenous collections and repatriation department resigned in July, citing a culture of racism and discrimination. In a July 24 farewell speech, Lucy Bell, a member of the Haida Nation, called out colleagues and executives, listing examples of racist comments directed at her during her time at the museum. She said her experience reflected both systemic racism and racism at an individual level. “It’s also outright discrimination, white privilege, bullying and micro-aggressions happening here, that happen every day,” she wrote in her spe
Staff survey results not good in wake of resignation over alleged racism at Royal B C Museum - BC News castanet.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from castanet.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.