Kwagiulth museum and cultural centre to increase access to Aboriginal cultural treasures
VICTORIA, March 12, 2004 -- The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment and Member of Parliament (Victoria), on behalf of the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced Government of Canada support for the Kwagiulth Museum and Cultural Centre (KMCC) to undertake a capacity-building project that will allow the museum to share its important cultural collection of significant Aboriginal artifacts with a broader audience. The project will enable the KMCC to become financially self-sustaining by focussing on business planning, marketing, collections management, and public programming and education."The Government of Canada is committed to helping cultural organizations improve the ways in which they plan, organize, finance, and govern themselves," said Minister Anderson. "This project creates the opportunities that will allow the Kwagiulth Museum and Cultural Centre to continue to grow and prosper as a preserver and presenter of Aboriginal artifacts and culture, for both the Kwagiulth peoples and all Canadians."
"This museum and cultural centre plays an important role in preserving a part of our heritage," said Minister Chalifour Scherrer. "This capacity-building initiative will ensure that future generations of Canadians have access to these cultural treasures."
The KMCC is the first Canadian museum specifically built to house Aboriginal artifacts repatriated to their home community. It will receive $250,000 from the Government of Canada for the capacity- building project, which will comprise four principle components: "Partnering with Museums" Strategic Initiative; Cultural Protocol Framework; Exhibit Concept/Content Plan; and Marketing Feasibility Study.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Capacity Building for Heritage Organizations component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program. This program's objective is to support modern management and greater financial stability in arts and heritage organizations.
Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.
Information:
Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Anna Wong
Communications Assistant
Office of the Honourable David Anderson
(604) 666-4500
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