FORT SIMPSON, Northwest Territories, April 12, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Rod Bruinooge, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament (Winnipeg South), today announced $22,171 in funding for the Open Sky Creative Society. These funds will enable the Society to present Open Sky Festival 2007, which will take place in Fort Simpson from June 29 to July 2.
"Canada's New Government believes it is very important for all Canadians to have access to the arts and culture," said Minister Oda. "By investing in the Open Sky Festival, we are ensuring that residents of the Dehcho region have greater opportunities to experience and enjoy artistic expression from across Canada."
"The Open Sky Festival is the principal arts and cultural festival of the Dehcho region," added Mr. Bruinooge. "I would like to congratulate all of the organizers, artists and volunteers whose commitment to the Festival has helped stimulate the vitality of our cultural scene and enhance our quality of life."
"With the continued support of Canadian Heritage through the Arts Presentation Canada program, the Open Sky Creative Society is able to provide a dependable venue for regional and emerging cultural producers to interact with their audience as well as colleagues from across the country," said Michael Blyth, Artistic Director of the Open Sky Creative Society.
The Open Sky Festival 2007 will present storytelling, theatre, music, visual arts, media arts and traditional Aboriginal arts to audiences in the area of Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. The Festival will also include development workshops for artists and instructional workshops for the general public.
Canada's New Government has provided this financial assistance through the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances and other artistic experiences.
Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Angela Cassie
A/Director of Communications
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
204 983-4367
