qathet Living, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
In the movement to decolonize BC’s museums, one of the most accomplished professionals is a member of Tla’amin Nation: Siemthlut (Michelle Washington.)

Currently, she is the Repatriations Specialist in the Indigenous Collections and Repatriation Department at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. You might recognize her work if you’ve visited the Our Living Languages exhibit at the Royal BC Museum or its travelling version, which showed at Tla’amin Governance House this fall (and in 19 other communities in BC). Or, if you’ve been to the soon-to-be-renamed Powell River Museum and observed the Tla’amin artifacts that are held in trust – not in the Museum’s collection. Or, if you’ve read the Tla’amin Treaty – the first to include repatriation as part of the BC Treaty Commission process. Behind all of these projects is Siemthlut.
Reconciliation is the reason for changing BC’s museums and heritage sites to more accurately express history, culture, relationships, and ideas she explains.
“Decolonization is a touchy subject, but a very necessary one for all Canadians to address,” says Siemthlut. “We cannot move forward in this country until we start telling the truths of our shared history in every sector and how those things still play out in everyday life and the harm it [history] is still causing.”
Indeed, in January, the Royal BC Museum’s administration closed the third floor to decolonize the exhibits. That includes the Becoming BC exhibit – the cannery, mine, street scene, and more; the First Peoples Gallery, including the mask and totem collection and longhouse; and the ‘Our Living Languages’ exhibit. Reaction to the move has been “touchy” – with fiery comments online and many oppositional columns in provincial and national newspapers.
But decolonization has been quietly happening in museums for years. Here in qathet, Siemthlut helped the museum repatriate its Tla’amin collection more than a decade ago. That includes a substantial collection of baskets, plus collections of net weights, mauls, bailers, fish hooks and projectile points excavated by Simon Fraser University archaeological teams. The items are owned by Tla’amin Nation, but held in trust, and exhibited to the public.
Decolonization isn’t a quick process, and it’s far from over, Siemthlut says. Even as some cultural institutions set out to decolonize, old habits can get in the way.
“I witness many well-intentioned people… make every procedural change within their power, but until policies catch up to important new legislative tools (United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and many more) – real reconciliation is not possible,” she says.
“The danger now is from those who don’t address their own personal bias before interpreting policy decisions to their own or only their organization’s present benefit. We have to start thinking more about reciprocal benefits that are deliverable, fair and sustainable to those not holding the pen – even if it isn’t a splashy media story. It is not an easy task, but it will have long range positive or negative results.”
As for her own journey, she continues to work along with BC’s museums moving towards reconciliation. Siemthlut started out by studying public administration and Indigenous governance at the University of Victoria. One gig she had in her early twenties was data entry – at the Royal BC Museum, for the Birds of BC publication. Later, she got a job in the museum’s learning department. Her intention was to work for Tla’amin Nation – and she did move back home for about 15 years.
However, Siemthlut and her family moved back to Victoria so she and her husband, Mike Washington, could pursue more education. Her path changed to anthropology, due to the cultural work she was offered with universities and government.
“There was the posting for managing the language exhibit [at the Royal BC Museum] with a very highly regarded Indigenous organization. I knew it was meant to be as I love working with our Indigenous people who are finding so many innovative ways to use ever changing technology and techniques to transmit knowledge intergenerationally and for their citizens who are away from home.
“Cultural people and knowledgeable elders inspire me and knowledgeable elders inspire me with their humility and perseverance to keep working so hard for the generations to come.
“Ultimately, our children will tell us if we made real progress with the tools we have been given. As a Coast Salish woman who comes from strong ethical teachings, I know my ancestors are watching and that keeps me grounded to do the work that needs to be done and ensure things are left better than when I found them.”
Top photo credit: Siemthlut/ Michelle Washington is one of BC’s top experts in decolonizing museums is a member of Tla’amin Nation. Photo given by the courtesy of Siemthlut

Sign-up for Cortes Currents email-out:
To receive an emailed catalogue of articles on Cortes Currents, send a (blank) email to subscribe to your desired frequency:
- Daily, (articles posted during the last 24 hours) – cortescurrents-daily+subscribe@cortes.groups.io
- Weekly Digest cortescurrents – cortescurrents-weekly+subscribe@cortes.groups.io