Robert Janes

Robert R. Janes is an independent scholar-practitioner, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of the journal Museum Management and Curatorship, a Visiting Fellow at the School of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester (UK), and a Fellow of the Canadian Museums Association. He was the President and CEO of the Glenbow Museum (1989-2000) in Calgary, the founding Director of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (1976-1986), and the founding Executive Director of the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories (1986-1989), both in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. He is also the founder of the Coalition of Museums for Climate Justice (2016). Janes has a Ph.D. in Subarctic Archaeology and began his career in Canada’s remote Northwest Territories. He has worked with Canada’s Indigenous Peoples (First Nations and Inuit) throughout his career, which spans 48 years in and around museums as a director, consultant, author, editor, archaeologist, board member, teacher, volunteer, and philanthropist. Janes has devoted his career to championing museums as important social institutions that can make a difference in the lives of individuals and their communities. He has received numerous honours and awards, including being named the first honorary life member of the Canadian Museums Association (CMA), the International Achievement Award from the International Council of Museums (ICOM/Canada), and an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) from Western University (Canada). He was given the traditional Blackfoot name OTAHKO OHKIPTOPii (Yellow Horse Rider) in 1995. His museum publications have been translated into eleven languages. Janes lives in Canmore, Alberta, Canada, with his wife, Priscilla, and on Denman Island, British Columbia, where they co-own a permaculture farm, nursery and orchard with their son, Peter.