Government of Canada Announces Support for the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation
ESPANOLA, September 7, 2001 -- On behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, Brent St. Denis, Member of Parliament for Algoma-Manitoulin, today announced funding of $90,000 for the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation under the Museums Assistance Program (MAP)."I am proud to be part of a Government that supports cultural institutions. Those, like the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in M'Chigeeng on Manitoulin Island, are reflections of our cultural diversity and bridge the gap between the past and the present. They are places where Canadians can get to know themselves better and learn about their heritage. Museums and galleries are a vital part of the legacy we leave to our children, connecting them to the heritage and history of their country," said Mr. St. Denis.
Funding for the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation will go towards a project to recover, retain and present significant aspects of the Woodland culture through the collection of key oral histories of the 16 member bands. The collection of these histories using modern technology will help achieve a variety of other objectives, including the continued opportunity to work in partnership with the member bands, to rekindle the language of the Anishnabaemowin, and to tell the story of the Woodland culture from the Woodland perspective.
MAP provides $9.4 million in project funding annually to non-federal, not-for-profit and professionally operated Canadian museums and connected institutions. This program was established in the early 1970's to increase public access to Canadian museum collections and to help Canadian museums better manage and preserve their resources.
Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Catherine Gagnaire
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
[ Media Room ]
