Today, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Member of Parliament for Chiliwack - Fraser Canyon, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support for the Upper St'át'imc Language, Culture and Education Society to develop a strategic tourism plan.
"Our Government is taking action to support our mountain pine bettle-affected communities,
" said Minister Strahl. "Investing in the Cultural Heritage and Learning Centre is an important step in creating new opportunities in Lillooet and strengthening our region.
"
Funding of $90,000 is provided through Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
"This contribution to the work of the Society will move us closer to the realization of our dream to build the St'át'imc Heritage and Learning Centre in Lillooet. The Centre will serve as a Cultural Tourism hub that will also support and promote the revitalization of endangered St'át'imc language, culture and arts.
" said Chief Larry Casper
The Upper St'át'imc Language, Culture and Education Society will implement activities promoting the St'at'imc culture. The Society will strengthen tourism within Lillooet through key activities including: a strategic plan and study dealing with the feasibility, construction and operation of a new St'át'imc Heritage and Learning Centre; a new initiative termed "St'át'imc Cultural Experiences" to collect and evaluate community assets to promote tourism; as well as the development and pilot testing of tourist-marketing materials.
Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years towards projects in western communities most at risk from the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. The program supports a wide range of projects that further economic growth, employment and future community sustainability.
The CEDI program is part of the Government of Canada's $200 million comprehensive response to mitigate the short and long-term effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation on B.C.'s forestry sector. This federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program is led by Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with Western Economic Diversification (WD) and Transport Canada.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.
For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia office
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Marilyn Napoleon
Upper St'át'imc Language, Culture and Education Society
Telephone: 250-256-7523
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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