FORT LANGLEY, British Columbia, September 19, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Mark Warawa, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament (Langley), today announced $18,750 in funding for the Langley Centennial Museum and National Exhibition Centre.
"Canada's New Government is pleased to support this museum, which provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about the Fraser Valley's rich cultural heritage," said Minister Verner. "Our Government's assistance will allow the Museum to complete the second phase of its First Nations Baskets project, giving Canadians increased access to this collection, as well as strengthening its collection management competencies."
"Our Government is proud to support the excellent work of the Langley Centennial Museum and National Exhibition Centre," said Mr. Warawa. "This institution is a key attraction to our region and presents culturally significant exhibits to visitors. Thanks to the Museum's dedication to producing quality exhibits and its success in forming productive partnerships, Canadians will gain access to 56 additional baskets in this collection."
"To say that staff and our partners in this ongoing project, the Kwantlen First Nation and the Yale and District Museum, are thrilled is an understatement," said Sue Morhun, Manager of Community and Heritage Services for the Township of Langley. "Without this level of support from the Museums Assistance Program, this work would be years in the doing and all the while risks to these beautiful baskets could well be increasing and knowledge lost."
The Langley Centennial Museum is owned and operated by the Township of Langley, and features a total of 3,500 square feet of exhibit galleries. Since opening in 1958, the Museum has been collecting, preserving, documenting, exhibiting and interpreting the heritage of the Langley area. The project goals of 'First Nations Baskets - Phase 2' are research and conservation of the Museum's First Nations (primarily Coast Salish) basket collection, as well as the development of an on-line exhibit that features photographs and accompanying research, and details the provenance of the collection's 56 baskets.
Canada's New Government is providing this financial assistance through the Department of Canadian Heritage's Museums Assistance Program. This program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.
Information:
Richard Walker
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
819 994-5978
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager, Policy and Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604 666-6504
