11 March 2011
Truro, Nova Scotia
The Glooscap Heritage Society will upgrade the Glooscap Learning Annex at the Heritage Centre in the Truro Power Centre and expand the programming available to visitors with assistance from the Government of Canada.
“It is important to make people aware of our rich Mi’kmaq heritage in Nova Scotia and the work planned for the Glooscap Heritage Centre will give visitors a greater understanding of the life and culture of our First Peoples,” said Scott Armstrong, MP for Cumberland- Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “The Glooscap Heritage Centre has become an important tourist attraction in Truro and the proposed enhancements will enrich the experience of visitors to the region.”
The Heritage Society will add landscape features and interpretive gardens, including plants and trees significant to the Mi’kmaq culture. A nearby annex building will be renovated and redesigned to enable the Centre to provide workshops on drumming, language, art and aboriginal theatre.
The Government of Canada’s investment of $86,000 is being provided through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF). The Glooscap Heritage Society will contribute $86,458 to the project. Other contributors include the Colchester Regional Development Agency ($1,000) and Home Depot ($5,000).
“This project will help attract more visitors to the Centre and extend their length of stay.” said Joyce Mingo, Executive Director of the Centre. “Once completed, staff will offer interpretive tours of gardens highlighting various species and their connection to the people, the land and the natural environment. As well this expansion will allow the public access to live Aboriginal theatre in the annex.”
The Glooscap Heritage Centre opened in June, 2006, and features artifacts and displays representative of Mi’kmaq culture and traditions.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
MP Scott Armstrong today announced an investment of $86,000 in the Glooscap Heritage Centre. The federal funding will help the Glooscap Heritage Society add new features to the facility, such as an interpretive garden, and expand the programming available to visitors.
The Heritage Society is a partnership between the Millbrook Economic Development Corporation and the Central Nova Tourist Association.
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John Soosaar
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902 407-8101
Email:jsoosaar@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
