Government of Canada Supports Royal British Columbia Museum Corporation
VICTORIA, October 19, 2005 -- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament (Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca) Keith Martin, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $180,045 in funding for the Royal British Columbia Museum Corporation. The funds will enable the organization to digitize some 1000 images and 15 films for a virtual exhibition on the history, land, and culture of the First Nations people of Thunderbird Park."This investment will enable the Royal British Columbia Museum to preserve images and film that document the history of Vancouver Island's First Nations," said Mr. Martin. "It is important to support projects that give Canadians an opportunity to explore their heritage in all its richness and diversity."
"The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the Royal British Columbia Museum in order to display treasures from our past," said Minister Frulla. "Aboriginal people have played a key part in building Canada, and we need to highlight their contribution."
The "Thunderbird Park -- A Transforming Landscape" virtual collection will include thousands of images of prints, tools, works of art, masks, totem poles, historic buildings, and other items of interest.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Canadian Culture Online strategy, which encourages a Canadian presence on the Internet.
Funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Jean-François Del Torchio
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for
Status of Women
(819) 997-7788
Jocelyne Foster
Legislative Assistant
Office of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-2625
Jean-Guy Beaupré
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
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