Central Nova, April 6, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today announced funding to assist not-for-profit, public, and private organizations and institutions in making Canadian cultural collections available online.
"Our Government is proud to provide Canadians with access to cultural content when they want, where they want," said Minister Moore. "This investment will connect all Canadians with the riches of our country's heritage; Atlantic Canadians in particular will be interested."
The Partnerships Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage supports projects that aim to provide meaningful and seamless access to Canadian history, heritage, and culture online. This will support understanding of Canada and its rich diversity, particularly for the benefit of youth, students, and lifelong learners. The Government of Canada's support for these projects will help ensure that future generations will have access to a wide variety of information about Canada's history, heritage, and culture. Since 2006-2007, the Partnerships Fund has provided funding to 101 Web projects across Canada.
"These investments demonstrate our Government's continued support for Canadian arts and culture," said Minister MacKay. "These projects ensure that the history, culture, and heritage of the Atlantic region are accessible to Canadians everywhere."
Cape Breton University will receive $170,000 for its project "Music: Cape Breton's Diversity in Unity." The University, in partnership with the local community and cultural sector, will make publicly available and accessible the culturally diverse and historically significant archival audio collection of the Beaton Institute in order to support learning and research. This project will make music and associated learning resource material available online as a vehicle for study, learning, and understanding of Canadian culture, history, language, and folklore.
The University of New Brunswick will receive $93,528 for its project "Contested Terrain: Aboriginal Land Petitions in New Brunswick, 1786-1878." This website will feature images and transcriptions of petitions from Mi'kmaq and Passamaquoddy petitioners relating to land grants in New Brunswick from 1786 to 1878 and will provide the general public with a historical context explaining the origins of modern land debates.
Distance Education and Learning Technologies of the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador will receive $225,864 for its project "The Miawpukek-Conne River Project." This project will present a story about Mi'kmaq culture in 19th century Newfoundland. Canadians will be able to visit one of two interactive 3-D story settings and participate in role plays that will enhance their understanding of Mi'kmaq culture. The project will also offer a website with digitized texts and learning materials and will produce a DVD of the enacted story.
Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
