July 14, 2021
RCMP Heritage Centre announces Tara Robinson as new Chief Executive Officer
Robinson returns home to Regina to lead Centre’s transition to national museum
REGINA (July 14, 2021) – The RCMP Heritage Centre today announced Tara Robinson as the Centre’s new Chief Executive Officer.
“It is a profound honour to be chosen for this role. 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,” Robinson said.
“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.”
Robinson, who served as CTV Regina’s first female evening news co-anchor for several years, has returned to Regina after a decade in Calgary. During her time in Alberta, she served in a variety of leadership roles including Executive Director of the Calgary Child Advocate Centre and the Calgary Police Foundation, and most recently, Executive Director of YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre.
“I am beyond excited to take on this leadership role at the RCMP Heritage Centre and work with the team and community as we transition the Centre to a national museum,” Robinson said. “The RCMP will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2023 and the story of the Force certainly is deserving of national museum status.”
Opened in 2007, the RCMP Heritage Centre is owned by a non-profit organization and operated in collaboration with the RCMP Historical Collections Unit. The federal government recently allocated $4.5 million over three years to assist the Centre in its transition to a national museum.
“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.”
Official timelines for the federal funding and transition are still to be established. After this transition, the RCMP Heritage Centre would be the third national museum outside of the Ottawa region alongside Halifax’s Pier 21 Museum of Immigration and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.
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*Please note, Robinson’s first name is pronounced TAR-a.
Tara Robinson High Resolution Photo
For more information:
Jess Paul, for the RCMP Heritage Centre
306.529.0566 or jess@blossomcomm.ca
About the RCMP Heritage Centre
The RCMP Heritage Centre is dedicated to sharing the story of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada’s national police force. Known informally as the “Mounties”, the Force is recognized the world over for its iconic dress uniform featuring the red serge tunic, Stetson hat, and high brown boots.
Guests of the RCMP Heritage Centre can experience both the historical and modern-day stories of the RCMP through a variety of traditional and variety of informative exhibits, a virtual and augmented reality experiences, and live events. The Centre is located on the doorstep of RCMP Academy, “Depot” Division, where Mounties have trained since 1885. The Centre is operated by a non-profit organization. While it is not owned by the RCMP, it is supported by the RCMP’s Historical Collections Unit.
We acknowledge that the land on which we gather, and where the RCMP Heritage Centre is located is Treaty 4 territory, which is the traditional territory of the Anihšinābēk, Nêhiyawak, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota Peoples, and the original home of the Métis/Michif Nation. We recognize and acknowledge their culture and contributions.