Join the Department of Canadian Heritage, and Isha Khan, CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, for an announcement from the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage: Canada’s post-pandemic recovery and Budget 2021 funding for museums and heritage organizations.
 
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EDT
 
Register HERE.

While there will be a live Q&A, you are encouraged to submit your questions for Minister Guilbeault in advance by Friday, June 25, 2021, 5 p.m. EDT to
PCH.map-pam.PCH@canada.ca

• Distinguished Career, and
• Promising Leadership

The OMA is sad to announce the passing of Carol Johnston, a dedicated museum professional and educator, and an engaged member of the Association since 1978. Carol was the founder of Canada's first children's museum and leaves behind a legacy of learning through play in the London community and beyond. Carol’s dedication to her community was recognized when she was inducted as Member of the Order of Canada in 1985.

On June 21st, Amanda Conlon, the Executive Director of the London Children's Museum wrote:

"The passing of our founder is like losing a best friend. The museum was Carol’s vision, and she has been its most dedicated supporter since we opened our doors almost 50 years ago. She will be missed beyond measure.”

We at the OMA echo these sentiments.

To read the full obituary, click HERE.
To read the London Children's museum's message, click HERE.

Learn more and watch the recording HERE.

Keynote Webinar: Museums Are Not Neutral

On June 2nd, the Western Museums Association partnered with the British Columbia Museums Association for a special keynote webinar with Museums Are Not Neutral co-producers, La Tanya S. Autry and Mike Murawski.

As inspiring change leaders who are exposing the myth of museum neutrality one step at a time, together La Tanya and Mike explored the strategies for how museums can become relevant, socially engaged community spaces that act as agents of positive change, and highlighted the importance of having a strong and ethical institutional core.

Watch the presentation HERE.

2021 Digital Skills Survey Results
Are Canada's Charities Ready for Digital Transformation?
 

CanadaHelps recently released the results of a new survey of 1,400 Canadian charities exploring both interest in adopting digital tools and barriers to doing so. High level results include that “A majority of charities believe that digital adoption is important, yet more than two-thirds of charities report the adoption of digital tools is a lower priority for their organization. More than 55% of charities expressed either a lack of funding or the skills, expertise, and knowledge for greater use of digital tools.” This report provides interesting insight relevant to several of the nonprofit sector’s policy priorities.

Download the results HERE.

New Web Pages About AODA Rules

The Ontario government recently published updated and easy-to-read info about the AODA and key accessibility requirements that business, non-profit and designated public sector organizations need to meet under Ontario’s accessibility laws.

Visit www.ontario.ca/accessibility to find refreshed pages for business and non-profit organizations and designated public sector organizations.

Business and non-profit organizations
If you are a business or non-profit organization with 20 or more employees, the new web page is a great resource for you to get started on your accessibility compliance report that is due on June 30, 2021. For smaller organizations, this web page can help you quickly take stock of your current level of compliance. It has tools and information to help you become accessible.

Public sector organizations
If you are part of the designated public sector, the deadline to file an accessibility compliance report is December 31, 2021. This new web page is a helpful overview of the requirements that you need to meet.

COVID-19 Supports and Resources

• The Ontario government website provides a variety of COVID-19 supports, including public mental health and/or addiction programs to address low mood, anxiety, worry or stress. Please click HERE.
• The Ontario government website provides tips and resources for businesses and organizations so they can avoid creating unnecessary barriers for people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic HERE.

Tuesday June 29, 2021
9:00 AM 

The Canadian Heritage Indigenous Languages Branch has the pleasure of sharing the information regarding a virtual event on Indigenous languages organized by the Embassy of Ecuador in Canada and the Embassy of Canada in Ecuador.
 
This event aims to build bridges between the two countries to support dialogue and exchange of best practices on the revitalization and promotion of Indigenous languages. The event is organized to celebrate the forthcoming launching of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032). 
 
The webinar will bring together Indigenous peoples, government representatives and academics from both countries around the following program:
9:00-9:00                    Prayer and opening remarks
9:30-10:15                  Panel 1 - Profile of Indigenous Languages in Ecuador and Canada
10:15-11:00                Panel 2 - Challenges of Indigenous Language Education
11:00-11:45                Panel 3 - Indigenous languages in the arts: the case of film and documentaries
11:45-12:00                Closing remarks

Register HERE.

Free Webinar
Thursday July 8, 2021
1:00pm - 2:00pm ET

This one-hour webinar will be focused on sharing practical tools, personal insights, and recommendations to support effective Executive Director and Founder transitions. This webinar aims to spark intergenerational dialogue between longstanding outgoing leaders, incoming emerging leaders, their board of directors and the wider nonprofit sector.  Learn tangible strategies to achieve positive outcomes in leadership continuity, organizational sustainability, and the well-being of everyone involved in these monumental transitions.  This webinar is recommended for anyone in the nonprofit sector interested in better understanding the realities of Executive Director transitions, tools for success, and pitfalls to look out for. 

Learn more and register HERE.

If you are already an OMA member, please renew your membership when you receive an email reminder. If you are not a member, please consider joining, either as an institution or an individual. You can find information about member categories and benefits on our website.

Please also consider making a donation to the OMA on our website or through Canada Helps.

Your support of the OMA and your participation in events make us stronger as a sector, and we appreciate each and everyone one of you.

An OMA membership connects you with our network of over 1000 members, representing 700 museums, galleries, and heritage sites across the province. In addition, an OMA membership provides you with the latest news via the ONmuseums newsletter, eNews alerts, and COVID-19 resources to mitigate impact for Ontario museums, galleries and heritage sites.

The OMA has prepared a dedicated webpage of COVID-19 communications and resources, updated as new information and resources become available.
Read more HERE.

For all questions or inquiries please contact the OMA: community@museumsontario.ca or call 416-348-8672 / 1-866-662-8672.

Marie G. Lalonde
Executive Director
mlalonde@museumsontario.ca