Canada 150: The Richness of Indigenous Cultures Will Be at the Heart of Celebrations
News Release
WÔLINAK, Quebec, May 26, 2017
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced funding for two new community projects to highlight the richness of Quebec’s Indigenous cultures as part of Canada 150.
The Wôlinak Abenaki Band Council will receive $150,938 for its “Place d’accueil et lieu de mémoire de la mission Bécancour/Wôlinak” (Bécancour/Wôlinak mission welcome centre and memorial) exposition project. The history of the Abenaki people will be brought to life through figurative murals and a multimedia projection.
The Centre communautaire Saint-Pierre will receive $23,160 dollars to set up a nearby outdoors Indigenous encampment from July 31 to August 3, 2017, in collaboration with the Odanak Abenaki Band Council. In addition to promoting Indigenous culture and building cultural bridges, this project will initiate non-Indigenous families and youth to Indigenous art and culture through various activities.
The Government of Canada is providing this funding through the Canada 150 Fund. Through the Fund, the government is supporting local, regional and Canada-wide activities designed to help Canadians across the country take part in the celebrations, and to make 2017 an unforgettable year.
Quotes
“No relationship is more important to the Government of Canada than the one with Indigenous peoples. That’s why we’re proud to support these two new community projects that will allow Canadians to discover the richness and history of Indigenous cultures. Canada 150 is an opportunity to strengthen the ties that unite us to leave a legacy for generations to come.”
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
“With the exhibition Mémoire vivante, la rivière au long detour, our community finds its place in the great history of the First Nations as well as in Bécancour.”
—Michel R. Bernard, Chief, Wôlinak Abenaki Band Council
“The Indigenous encampment, developed in collaboration with the Odanak Abenaki Band Council, will provide a cultural bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the Drummondville and Centre-du-Québec regions. In addition to fostering a better understanding of our past and the way of life of Indigenous communities in Quebec, this activity gives us an opportunity to better understand our common future in tomorrow's Canada.”
—Gilbert Fafard, Community Coordinator, Centre communautaire Saint-Pierre
Quick Facts
-
The Government of Canada is providing a total of $174,098 for these two Canada 150 community projects.
-
The main themes of the Government of Canada’s vision for Canada 150 are diversity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, the environment and youth.
-
The Canada 150 Fund was created in April 2015 and has a budget of $200 million.
-
Through the Fund, the Government of Canada makes strategic investments in activities that support the vision of Canada 150 and encourage Canadians to participate directly.
Associated Links
Contacts
For more information (media only), please contact:
Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca