YELLOWKNIFE (Monday, February 20, 2012) – Monday, February 20th is National Heritage Day.
"Culture and heritage play an increasingly important role in our Northern society," says Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. "Our unique cultural diversity and close links to our traditional ways of life should be celebrated. I encourage all Northerners to stand together today in honour of our heritage. We are always interested to share in the experiences of other organizations involved in cultural and heritage activities throughout the NWT."
The Department of Education, Culture & Employment encourages the preservation and portrayal of the cultural and natural history of the Northwest Territories, in harmony with community heritage programs and with other agencies. Information on National Heritage Day activities happening throughout the territory can be found on the attached backgrounder.
For more information, please contact:
Jacqueline McKinnon
Manager, Public Affairs
Education, Culture and Employment
Phone: (867) 920-6222
Email: jacqueline_mckinnon@gov.nt.ca
NWT Heritage Week Activities
February 20 - 26, 2012
The Department of Education, Culture & Employment encourages the preservation and portrayal of the cultural and natural history of the Northwest Territories, in harmony with community heritage programs and with other agencies. We are always interested to share in the experiences of other organizations involved in cultural and heritage activities throughout the NWT.
Here are a few brief profiles of community activities which celebrate the cultural and heritage diversity of the NWT:
Fort Smith
The Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre in Fort Smith operates its Aboriginal Cultural Centre and in cooperation with schools and local groups to provide visitors with an interactive experience with the traditional lifestyles of local First Nations and Métis people. The museum features cultural and natural collections from the region known historically as Thebacha (northern Alberta and the southern Northwest Territories).
Diane Seals, Admin and Events Coordinator at the Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre in Fort Smith reports there are 2 events planned for Heritage Week:
- An exhibit by Brandy Wilson, a photographic and close up look at the nature that surrounds us.
- Requesting photos of grandmothers of the people in our community to host an exhibit called Honouring our Grandmothers.
Hay River
The Hay River Museum Society has ongoing heritage programming that promotes community history and culture at the Museum, located in a refurbished Hudson’s Bay Company building on Vale Island. (Closed for the winter season)
Fort Simpson
The Open Sky Creative Society provides year-round arts programming in the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories. In cooperation with the Fort Simpson Historical Society and the Fort Simpson Heritage Centre Society, the organization delivers a variety of artist workshops and heritage program activities. The OSCS Gallery features works by contemporary visual artists from across Canada (with a minimum of one exhibition per year guaranteed to an NWT artist), and hosts the annual Dehcho members exhibition.
Norman Wells
The Norman Wells Historical Centre is active in promoting the culture and heritage of the Sahtu Region. It is currently planning for demonstrations by Sahtu artists during February, and school programming for the spring opening of the Edward Ouzi Trapper’s Cabin.
Yellowknife
The NWT Mining Heritage Society has launched its new website which promotes the preservation of mining history and geological heritage in the Northwest Territories. The Society continues its collection and inventorying of artifacts and mining equipment and the development of interpretive outdoor displays at the old Giant mine in Yellowknife.
As part of the Heritage Week celebrations, the City of Yellowknife Heritage Committee will launch its annual Heritage Art Show. Artworks related to Yellowknife history will be on display at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre from mid-February until April, 2012. Other Heritage Week events will occur at different venues throughout the city. These events include:
Monday, February 20, 6:00 p.m. Ryan Silke’s book launch: “High Grade Tales: Stories from mining camps of the Northwest Territories, Canada” at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Wednesday, February 22, 7:00 p.m. Music and Poetry Jam open to all, with special performances, Javaroma coffee shop
Friday, February 24, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Heritage Art Gala and Heritage Awards Presentation, at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Saturday, February 25, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Tour Yellowknife by bus and get the inside story! Meet at City Hall @9:50 a.m.
Sunday, February 26, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Antiques Roadshow (the public is invited to bring their own items!) at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre as part of the Amazing Family Sundays Program.