Executive Council
October 28, 2013
Province Supports Safeguarding Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
The Provincial Government has provided $50,000 to 12 Aboriginal groups through the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Program (ACHP) to support projects that preserve and protect Aboriginal practices and traditions.
“As a government, we are committed to supporting Aboriginal initiatives that involve the safeguarding of traditions and cultures,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. “Since the inception of the program in 2008, more than $300,000 has been invested in projects ranging from documentation to celebration.”
Projects eligible for funding include those which document and develop an inventory of Aboriginal cultural traditions, encourage cultural economic activity, and recognize, celebrate and promote Aboriginal heritage in all its forms. Applications are reviewed by the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee which includes representatives from Aboriginal groups throughout the province.
“Newfoundland and Labrador has a rich Aboriginal cultural diversity,” said the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs. “The Provincial Government is proud to continue to provide funding to ensure that our Aboriginal culture and heritage is preserved for generations to come.”
Organizations receiving funding under the 2013-14 ACHP are listed in the backgrounder below.
Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future provides more than $17 million to support cultural and heritage sectors. Since the launch of Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture in 2006, the Provincial Government has invested $87 million through the plan to promote culture and heritage in the province.
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Media contacts:
| Melony O’Neill Director of Communications Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation 709-729-0928, 689-0928 moneill@gov.nl.ca |
Carol Ann Carter Director of Communications (Acting) Labrador and Aborginal Affairs 709-729-3015, 631-9505 carolanncarter@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
2013-14 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Program Funding Recipients
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Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation - $12,000 to conduct an extensive inventory of cultural knowledge, including traditional skills held by Mi’kmaq Elders living in Newfoundland, to ensure the safeguarding and promotion of culture, language and traditions.
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Nunatsiavut Government - $10,000 to document Inuit games that were played every day. These games will be incorporated into the café area of the Torngâsok Cultural Centre.
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kANGIDLUASUk Student Program - $8,000 to include the involvement of two Nunatsiavut Elders with the youth program at the Torngat Mountains Base Camp and Research. The Elders will facilitate small workshops involving soapstone carving and seal skin cleaning.
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White Elephant Museum - $4,000 to provide training in digital storytelling to increase accessibility to their intangible cultural heritage. This training will be provided in Makkovik by the My Word: Storytelling and Digital Media Lab based in Rigolet.
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Corner Brook Aboriginal Women’s Association - $4,000 to raise community awareness of Mi’kmaq history, culture and heritage through a two-day workshop on traditional beading techniques and basic traditional earring and pendant making.
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Innu Nation - $4,000 to conduct a number of oral history interviews with Elders in Natuashish that focus on their connection with the land, family histories, traditional clothing and other cultural traditions. An open session will also be held to invite members of the community to view photographs taken between 1920 and 1950 and share stories.
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Melgignat Mi’kmaq Women’s Group - $2,000, in partnership with the Indian Cove Women’s Circle, to teach Aboriginal women to make traditional medicine bags and bundles, and to teach young people how to make traditional regalia.
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Flat Bay Indian Band - $2,000 to provide dance teachings to children age 2-12 to safeguard the traditions and culture of the Mi’kmaq people in Bay St. George.
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Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network - $1,000 to support traditional activities such as sweetgrass braiding and storytelling that took place during the Bay St. George Powwow in July.
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Gander Bay Indian Band Council - $1,000 to assist the Band purchase digital recording equipment that will help them initiate an oral history project.
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Miawpukek First Nation - $1,000 to pass along traditional knowledge and practices to the community and school children by offering workshops and presentations in traditional practices such as drummaking, canoe making, eel spears, snowshoes, jewelry and regalia.
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Torngat Arts and Crafts - $1,000 to support the 6th katilautta Music Festival, held in Nain in August.
2013 10 28 11:00 a.m.