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The RCMP Heritage Centre has a new chief executive officer.
Tara Robinson, a former co-anchor of CTV Regina’s evening news, has returned to the Queen City after a decade in Calgary.
“It is a profound honour to be chosen for this role,” Robinson said in a media release. “The history of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and its evolving role are inextricably linked to the fabric and story of this nation. Recognized around the world, the Mounties’ links to Saskatchewan and Canada are deep and rich in heritage.
“Some parts of this history are painful and hard to confront, and they must be acknowledged and shared in a respectful way to achieve the objectives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I am grateful to be working for an organization that works collaboratively for fairness and understanding.
“The RCMP Heritage Centre is committed to sharing the stories of the Force from a variety of perspectives in ways that allow healing and learning to happen. It will be an honour to help share those stories.
During her time in Alberta, Robinson spent time as executive director of the Calgary Child Advocate Centre, the Calgary Police Foundation and the YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tara home to Regina to lead the RCMP Heritage Centre in its transition to a national museum,” board chair Kevin Doherty said. “While in Calgary, Tara led the build and design of the award-winning YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre.
“Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, under her leadership the museum increased demand for its programming and continues to be a vibrant, community-focused institution in Calgary. We could not think of a more fitting person to lead the RCMP Heritage Centre at this exciting time in its history.”
The RCMP Heritage Centre opened in 2007. The federal government is providing $4.5 million over three years to help the centre transition to a national museum, although the timing of that transition currently isn’t known.
“The National RCMP Museum in Regina, Saskatchewan is a dream that we have held for many years, and it is a dream that holds incredible opportunity for connection, reflection, education, authenticity, celebration and pride,” Robinson said during her introductory media conference.
“This museum is located on Treaty 4 lands and the transition to a national museum here provides us with a renewed opportunity to recognize this important aspect of our history, and to provide opportunity and lots of experiences for learning for people right across this country, and those who come to visit us from around the world.
“An important part of this journey will be meaningful, and extensive engagement and consultation with Indigenous communities and several other important partners. There is great opportunity for this museum to help create better relationships with Indigenous communities, to advance truth and reconciliation, and to share stories on how this force and policing in general continue to evolve with the communities that they serve in Canada.”
Robinson’s plans for the museum as it moves toward a national designation involve changing the interior and incorporating exhibits with highly emotive spaces.
Eventually, the RCMP Heritage Centre will become the third national museum outside of the Ottawa region. Halifax’s Pier 21 Museum of Immigration and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg are the others.