Aurora museum curator, member of anti-racism task force abruptly no longer with town
thestar.com
July 7, 2021
Lisa Queen

Two prominent figures are abruptly no longer in positions at the Town of Aurora, with one of them spearheading a petition to give the other “dignity” following her sudden departure.

Aurora Museum and Archives curator Shawna White’s employment with the town was terminated June 23.

She declined to comment on the end of her employment but The Banner has learned it was not her decision to leave.

Meanwhile, Phiona Durrant has resigned from the town’s Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force after months of mounting frustration with the committee’s direction.

In her resignation letter, Durrant said she’s disappointed she was not free to convey her concerns and ideas and did not feel her contributions were valued or welcomed.

“It is unfortunate that my strong, authentic and honest voice was not what the task force was looking for,” she said.

Durrant said she attempted to get answers about the task force’s plans and timelines but was told she was too frank and that speaking out loudly on matters not flattering to the task force could affect some members’ political aspirations.

Meanwhile, in 72 hours, Durrant collected more than 100 signatures on a petition supporting White.

Durrant said she launched the petition because she feels White’s abrupt termination failed to provide her with dignity and show the debt of gratitude she is owed by the community.

Eliza Bennett, the town’s acting manager of corporate communications, confirmed White is no longer with the municipality.

“For confidentiality and privacy reasons, we cannot speak to individual employment matters,” she said.

“Projects have been assigned to other staff and, where appropriate, additional resources will be brought in to support them.”

The position of curator still exists and the town is taking time to assess and develop a future recruitment plan, Bennett said.

Resident Bill Fleury, of Aurora’s historic Fleury Plow family, recalled his time working with White on history projects as “exceptional.”

“She was very innovative and engaged in the mission of raising public awareness of Aurora's history and bringing that history alive,” he said, adding some of the work was featured in Plow in the Crest exhibit in 2016 and 2017.

“I felt Shawna was helping to place Aurora at the forefront of historical work among towns and cities across Ontario so I am very sad to see the town lose her leadership and dynamism.”

White, with Aurora for more than six years full-time and under contract for about three years beforehand, did comment on her time with the town.

“I am so proud of the work that we have done to build the museum into a thriving place for community where everyone is listened to and valued,” she said.

“Although this past year has been so challenging for all of us, our collection and heritage continued to reaffirm the role of history and the museum as an important educational and cultural resource for the people of Aurora. I remain most grateful to the many organizations and individuals, whose support and collaborations supported me and the museum to create exciting and relevant new directions for all.”