VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – What do you think should be in Canada’s newly rebranded Museum of History?  Louis Riel’s Coat, Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard’s hockey sweater, or maybe the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway?

Museum staffers travelling across the country have stopped in Vancouver at the Antique Road Show to ask people that exact question.

Chantal Schryer with the Canadian Museum of Civilization, which will be renamed the Museum of History in time for the 150th anniversary of confederation, explains the purpose is to ensure everyone gets a chance to be apart of telling Canada’s story.

“They want us to make sure that we do talk about the contribution and the story of First Nations People, and then you have people who talk about people who have an impact now on Canada.  Many people talk about Terry Fox, they see Terry Fox as a major icon and they want us to talk about him in this new gallery.”

She adds it’s important to get people living in the west involved in the discussion.

“More specifically, ask them, how can we remain in contact and what kind of programs, projects that you’d like us to develop that would be of  interest to you here in Vancouver,” adds Schryer.

Dozens visited the booth to give their two cents. 

Some suggested more of a focus on World War I and II and the impact on BC.  “If people don’t know the history or their nation then we won’t learn from our past mistakes, like the Japanese internment, as long as they keep being brought up, it will help prevent [it] in the future,” says Tony.

“The railroad opened up the whole west.  Before there were roads, there was a railroad and all my family came out on the railroad,” says Gordon.

The revamped museum, which is located in Gatineau, Quebec, is expected to be unveiled sometime in 2017.