Kelowna Museums Birthday Bash

On June 10 at 11am, the community is invited to a special party – the 50^th birthday of Kelowna’s first museum building.

Significant anniversaries provide an opportunity to take note of where we have been and where we are going. The birthday celebration is presented in friendship with the Sncəwips Heritage Museum, which is operated by the Westbank First Nation.  Chief Roxanne Lindley will lead a special ceremony at 11am.  Following the ceremony, birthday bannock will be served and special programming will be offered by Sncəwips Heritage Museum and Kelowna Museum Society. Programming will feature the release of a joint video project funded by the Central Okanagan Foundation. In addition, there will be live performances by Levi Bent from the Syilx Language House, language workshops by Sncəwips Heritage Museum staff, and new “Un-tours” by Kelowna Museum staff.

Please join us for this significant event! Celebrate with activities, performances & community. Special guests include Chief Roxanne Lindley of Westbank First Nation, Mayor Colin Basran as well as other dignitaries and elected officials.

Date: Saturday, June 10th, 2017

Location: Okanagan Heritage Museum

Ceremony: 11:00 am to 11:30 am

Entertainment: 11:30 am to 3:00 pm

For more information, please contact:
Jen at 250.868.4836
education@kelownamuseums.ca

“Sncəwips is honoured to assist in the celebration of this space, Kelowna’s first museum building, reaching the half century mark, what an accomplishment and we are proud to celebrate with our partners. We acknowledge the roles and subsequent responsibilities have undergone immense transformation since the incorporation of this particular space, and I truly believe these directions have resulted in positive change for our community as a whole. Although we are celebrating the creation of the Kelowna Museum, I can’t help but think about the future and how we are moving forward together, walking side-by-side to ensure we capture a more holistic picture of our shared history so that future generations grow with more understanding of the steps that have been taken to get us here in whichever way these steps are interpreted. We honour the work of the Kelowna Museums, the staff, volunteers and especially the community members who continue to support the ever changing work museums carry out.”
–  Jordan Coble, Cultural and Operations Administrator, Sncəwips Heritage Museum“Like many others in the heritage community, Kelowna Museums Society embraces the Sesquicentennial as an opportunity to reflect on the cultures, histories, and possibilities of our community. We are delighted to partner with the Sncəwips Heritage Museum to celebrate the evolving role of museums in society today.  Museums have a different role during the Sesqui-centennial than we did during the Centennial. In particular, the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission remind us that it is time to question the stories museums have been telling in our galleries.”
– Linda Digby, Executive Director of the Kelowna Museums Society“What started 50 years ago as a facility to capture our local history and heritage has today grown into a collection of museums that tell our stories in the arts, military, sports, agriculture and industry,” said Mayor Colin Basran. “Congratulations to the Kelowna Museums Society for its dedication to preserving our past and creating displays and exhibits that keep our history and culture alive for future generations.”
– Mayor Colin Basran, City of Kelowna