Skidegate, British Columbia, September 6, 2005 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, and Senator Jack Austin, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Co-Senior Minister for British Columbia, today announced that Parks Canada has recently fulfilled its funding commitment toward the construction of the Qay'llnagaay (Sea Lion Town) Heritage Centre in Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). In total, Parks Canada is contributing $6 million towards this important Haida project in Skidegate, British Columbia.
The Qay'llnagaay Heritage Centre contributes to the preservation and understanding of the proud and important Haida culture, at the same time as it contributes to building a strong local economy, said Minister Dion. Through this innovative project, Parks Canada is working in partnership with the Haida people to share their unique culture and heritage with all Canadians and visitors to Haida Gwaii.
Through the Qay'llnagaay Heritage Centre, we celebrate the living culture of the Haida people. Through our language, art and stories, we share our relationship with the land and sea that which shapes, nourishes and sustains us, said Chief Willard Wilson of the Skidegate Band Council. Qay'llnagaay is a place for the Haida voice to be heard. This is our gift to the world.
Parks Canada's $6 million contribution includes $4.5 million that is being provided to the Heritage Centre project in exchange for long-term office, classroom, lab, exhibit and interpretive space, and an additional $1.5 million that will assist in the development of mutually supportive exhibits throughout the Centre.
"This new Centre will help the Haida, Parks Canada and all other partners to come together to protect this exceptionally rich area," said Senator Austin. "This initiative reflects Parks Canada's vision to support First Nations in the preservation and presentation of our shared heritage."
Situated at a picturesque and historic location on the boundaries of Skidegate, the
multi-agency Qay'llnagaay Heritage Centre will showcase various aspects of Haida culture. Six monumental Haida totem poles, representing each of the six villages of Skidegate, were carved and erected at the site in 2001. The Centre is being built and managed by the Skidegate Band Council. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2006.
As well as an interpretive centre, Qay'llnagaay will include the Bill Reid Teaching Centre, an expanded Haida Gwaii Museum and a Parks Canada Program Management Centre. The project will provide Parks Canada with long-term office, research and teaching space. It will also lead to greater visitor awareness of Parks Canada, the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, and the natural and cultural values of Haida Gwaii.
Parks Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation, through the Archipelago Management Board, cooperatively manage the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. The Board's mandate was established in the 1993 Gwaii Haanas Agreement signed by Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation.
The Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site lies in the southern part of Haida Gwaii approximately 130 km off the British Columbia coast and 640 km north of Vancouver. Gwaii Haanas also includes the SGang Gwaay World Heritage Site and a proposed National Marine Conservation Area.
Information:
Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Dennis Madsen
A/Field Unit Superintendent
Gwaii Haanas
Parks Canada
(250) 559-6300
