Living Cultural Landscape Celebrates Diverse Friendships
News release
Government of Canada provides more than $236,000 to support the promotion of Acadian history
August 20, 2018 – Glooscap First Nation, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Building unique historical product offerings that capitalize on innovative ways to provide authentic experiential cultural experiences is key to attracting tourists to Canada and generating income through increased visitation. The Government of Canada is providing la Société Promotion Grand-Pré with contributions totaling $236,482 to develop enhanced cultural tourism experiences at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site.
The funding was announced today by the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Digital Government and Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
The purpose of this initiative is to develop new tourism experiences at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site to increase visitation and promote the historically unique and formative relationships of the Acadian and Mi’kmaq founding cultures. La Société Promotion Grand-Pré is committed to honouring the region’s history through a series of educational and cultural experiences.
One of the cultural offerings kicked off Friday, August 17 at the opening ceremony of the ‘Landscape of Cultures Festival’, which was hosted by the Glooscap First Nation. The festival places music, food, dance, art and folklore at centre stage to educate Canadians about the storied resilience of a cooperative relationship between the Acadians and Mi’kmaq that has helped both peoples thrive.
These investments build on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth through the Atlantic Growth Strategy by helping the tourism industry attract more visitors and create new jobs across the region. This bold new approach is in line with Canada’s Tourism Vision, which seeks to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.
Quotes
“Canada is a nation whose social fabric is vibrant, enhanced by the many cultures that have contributed to its growth. We are stronger when we celebrate our multiculturalism, connected by values of mutual respect. More than 400 years ago the Acadians and Mi’kmaq peoples were living side by side in a spirit of friendship that even today serves as an important example of the enduring relationships that can develop when working towards a common goal. I applaud La Société Promotion Grand-Pré for its efforts to promote this history, and what it teaches us about the value of inclusion.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Our government understands the importance of learning from history, and understanding the role past events have played in shaping Canada and who we are as a nation and a people today. We are pleased to support La Société Promotion Grand-Pré as it encourages visitation to the region to celebrate the diversity and inclusion that defined the aspirational cooperation between the Acadian and Mi’kmaq peoples.”
- The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Digital Government, and Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants
“The Government of Nova Scotia is pleased to support the Landscape of Cultures Festival. Through the Culture Action Plan, we are making important investments in our communities and in our culture sector that help to build strong and healthy communities, bring people and communities together and promote, preserve and celebrate our culture and heritage. We also know Nova Scotia’s culture sector has tremendous economic value – it creates jobs and drives tourism and business opportunities, thereby helping to strengthen our economy.”
- The Honourable Leo Glavine, Nova Scotia Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage
“La Société Promotion Grand-Pré is very pleased to join with the Glooscap First Nation to co-host a two-day celebration which will feature Mi’kmaq, Acadian and local cultural expression. The Landscape of Cultures Festival is a great opportunity to build increased cultural awareness between the two groups, local communities and visitors.”
- Justin Mury, President of La Société Promotion Grand-Pré
“The Glooscap First Nation is pleased to participate in the stewardship of the Landscape of Grand Pré, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2012. We believe that the Landscape of Cultures Festival will enhance the visibility and appreciation of Mi'kmaq culture and help build bridges with other cultural communities".
- Chief Sidney Peters, Glooscap First Nation
Quick facts
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Of the $236,482 federal investment, ACOA is providing a non-repayable contribution of $150,000, over a three-year period, through its Business Development Program, which supports not-for-profit organizations that provides support to Atlantic businesses.
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Additional funding will be provided over a one-year period by Parks Canada ($53,000), Canadian Heritage through its Multiculturalism Program ($19,000), Employment and Social Development Canada through the Canada Summer Jobs program ($14,482), and the Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage ($15,000) and the Office of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie ($5,000).
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Parks Canada designated Grand-Pré a National Historic Site in 1982. In 2012, the “Landscape of Grand-Pré” was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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This project will help maintain six jobs, with potential to add more with increased visitation to the Grand-Pré National Historic Site.
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The ACOA funding stems from the Economic Development Initiative, a component of the Government of Canada’s official languages strategy. ACOA leads the initiative in Atlantic Canada to strengthen linguistic duality, reinforce Canada’s national identity and provide economic benefits for Canadians.
Associated links
Contacts
Alex Smith
Director of Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Phone: 902-426-9417 | 902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: alex.smith@canada.ca
Roxanne Richard
Partnering, Engagement and Communications Officer
Northern New Brunswick Field Unit
Parks Canada / Government of Canada
1045 Main Street, Unit 114, Moncton NB E1C 0N5
roxanne.richard@pc.gc.ca / Tel: 506-851-4661 / Cel: 506-224-0043
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
E-mail: pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
E-mail: media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Lynette MacLeod
Communities, Culture and Heritage
Cell: 902-229-0785
E-mail: lynette.macleod@novascotia.ca
Claude DeGrâce
Managing Director
Société Promotion Grand-Pré
Phone : 902-698-7855
E-mail : claude.degrace@gmail.com
Chief Sidney Peters
Glooscap First Nation
159 Smith Rd
Hantsport, Nova Scotia
Phone : 902-684-9788
E-mail : admin@glooscapfirstnation.com