HUMBOLDT, Saskatchewan, March 17, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Brad Trost, Member of Parliament (Saskatoon-Humboldt), today announced funding for the Original Humboldt Committee.
The Committee will present activities to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the significant role played by the Original Humboldt Telegraph Station during the 1885 Northwest Resistance. Events will take place on June 18, 2010, in Humboldt and at the Original Humboldt site, located 8 kilometres outside of the city. Audiences will relive the stories of the Original Humboldt land and the events of 1885 through multimedia presentations, historical performances, and commemorative art.
"Our Government is pleased to support events that offer Canadians the opportunity to celebrate their local heritage and culture and that contribute to the development of local tourism and the economy," said Minister Moore. "The commemoration of the Original Humboldt site will give residents the chance to share and learn more about the rich history of their region."
"I congratulate the Original Humboldt Committee on their vision and hard work to bring our local history alive," said Mr. Trost. "Thanks to the efforts of the Humboldt and District Museum, many more people will now know that over a century ago, our community represented the frontier of a new technology, the telegraph. Built in 1878, the Humboldt telegraph station was the home of another first, the West's first woman employed as a telegraph operator, Catherine Weldon."
"The Original Humboldt Committee is very appreciative of the investment from the Government of Canada," said Jennifer Hoesgen, Director of the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery and member of the Original Humboldt Committee. "This project has been driven by community volunteers who recognized the importance of the site and supported by the founders who contributed financially to purchase the 80 acres. This funding will now allow us to share the multitude of stories of the land and honour its significance in Canadian history."
During the 1885 Resistance, General Middleton and his troops camped in the vicinity of Original Humboldt, which became a military site used as a storage and supply depot under Lieutenant Colonel Denison and the Governor General's Foot Guards. The Humboldt Telegraph Station became a critical communications link as the station remained untouched during the Resistance, thus allowing continued contact with Ottawa.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $11,500 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.
Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca
Chantal Rougeau
A/Manager
Regional Communications
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
Tel.: 204-984-5505
Cell: 204-298-9833
chantal.rougeau@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
