CanNor-11-004
Whitehorse, Yukon (June 30, 2011) – Today the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister of Health announced funding of $240,000 for the Council of Yukon First Nations to strengthen and celebrate Yukon First Nations arts and culture.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support the first annual Adäka Cultural Festival, which will help develop the diversity of Yukon First Nations arts and cultural industries," said Minister Aglukkaq. "By providing opportunities for training and capacity building, these industries will continue to make an important contribution to the Northern economy in communities across Yukon."
"This festival provides an opportunity for Yukon First Nations to showcase their talents to the world, expand markets and provides important networking opportunities for artists," said Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon. "This event not only celebrates the rich history and culture of Yukon First Nations people, but is an exciting attraction for tourists visiting our beautiful territory."
Funding will support the Council of Yukon First Nations to plan and organize an annual multidisciplinary cultural festival that will bring First Nations artists from across the Yukon together with artists from around the world to share and celebrate their creativity and culture with a local, national and international audience.
"The Government of Yukon is proud to be a contributing sponsor to this unique cultural gathering which builds on the partnership established with Yukon Government's support for the Yukon First Nations cultural contingent at the 2010 Winter Olympics," Minister of Tourism and Culture Elaine Taylor said. "We congratulate the organizers and participants who have come together in the spirit of excellence to make this event a great success."
"CanNor funding is crucial to the launch of this new initiative," said CYFN Grand Chief Ruth Massie. "The Festival will link Yukon First Nations performers and artisans from all communities with their neighbours and visitors from around the world. It fills a niche in Yukon visitor attractions, celebrating the revitalization of dance, singing, drumming, storytelling, carving, plus other traditional and contemporary artistic expressions. The Adäka Cultural Festival creates diverse economic opportunities for people in many Yukon communities, carrying forward the positive spirit of the Vancouver Olympics to future generations", she added.
The federal portion of this investment is funded by CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity-building in all three territories.
Backgrounder - Canada Celebrates First Nations Arts and Culture in Yukon
Please visit these web sites to learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan and Canada's Northern Strategy.
For further information, please contact:
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Cailin Rodgers
(613) 957-0200
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Erin Macpherson
Communications Advisor
867-667-3849
Erin.macpherson@cannor.gc.ca
Yukon government- Department of Tourism and Culture
Karen Keeley
Communications Analyst
867-667-8304
Karen.Keeley@gov.yk.ca
Adäka Cultural Festival
Caili Steel
Assistant Producer
867-393-9221
Cell: 867-334-3590
caili.steel@cyfn.net
