A new website will provide British Columbians with opportunities to share their vision for a new museum to highlight the history, culture and contributions to B.C. from Canadians of diverse South Asian heritages.

“Public input, especially from South Asian communities, is vital to moving forward on this first-of-its-kind museum,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

“This website will provide a platform for everyone involved to be heard and I am confident that the engagement will help bring together a shared vision that reflects the needs and aspirations of South Asian communities in B.C.”

The public engagement process will provide multiple and different opportunities for participation informed by Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue and the ministerial advisory committee. The committee is made up of appointed members who identify as South Asian selected for their experience in community engagement, lived experience and cultural knowledge .

Their role is to inform the development of the engagement plan, share opportunities within their communities and support community-based conversations.

“For almost 130 years people from South Asia have been calling British Columbia home, but this has not always been a welcoming place for them,” said Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives.

“By working with community members we can build a unique and meaningful museum that will better reflect and preserve the diverse and rich history of South Asians in the province for generations to come.”

The Province is committed to an inclusive, responsive and transparent engagement process that provides space for all points of view, experiences, stories and voices. The engagement will include South Asian Canadian organizations and communities, including leaders, youth, elders, entrepreneurs, artists, scholars, historians, and people from diverse social, cultural, gender and accessibility-inclusive communities.