KITIMAT, British Columbia, June 9, 2008 -- Kitimat-area residents will have more opportunities to learn about their local heritage thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
Richard Harris, Member of Parliament (Cariboo-Prince George), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding for the Kitimat Centennial Museum Association.
Funding of $12,700 will be used by the Kitimat Centennial Museum to improve collections care and storage according to modern museological standards. This project will improve accessibility to the collection with the installation of artifact storage boxes, the renovation of the storage area, and the review the Museum's policy and procedure documents.
"Local heritage institutions are important to the vitality of communities across Canada," said Minister Verner. "Museums help strengthen Canadians' awareness of our rich cultural heritage."
"The Kitimat Centennial Museum collects, preserves, and presents the history of the Kitimat area's natural and human history," said Mr. Harris. "The Government of Canada is committed to supporting facilities that enrich the cultural life of our communities and create a legacy of excellence."
"Many thanks to Canadian Heritage for providing the Kitimat Museum with this support, which will make it possible to tackle a backlog in collections documentation and storage," said Louise Avery, Curator. "This project will improve the public, staff, and researchers' access to the Kitimat natural and human history artifacts in our care."
Established in 1969 by the City of Kitimat, the Centennial Museum facility includes a museum, archives, and exhibition space for visual arts and artifacts related to the community and natural history of the region. The mandate of the Kitimat Centennial Museum is to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural splendour of the Kitimat area and its history from the establishment of Indigenous communities to today.
The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Museums Assistance Program (MAP), of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This Program provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions, for projects that support the objectives of Canada's museum policy.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie
819 997-7788
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604 666-6504
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
