Canada's New Government Supports Société historique de Lourdes
NOTRE-DAME-DE-LOURDES, Manitoba, September 21, 2006 -- On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Brian Pallister, Member of Parliament (Portage-Lisgar), today announced the support of Canada's new Government for the Société historique de Lourdes. Funding will allow the organization to present the travelling exhibit "Foi et Persévérance" in various museums. The exhibit demonstrates the role that female religious congregations have played in preserving the French language and culture in small Francophone communities in Western Canada."I am pleased to support this exhibit, which will allow Canadians to learn about the history of our Francophone communities," said Minister Oda. "Organizations like the Société historique de Lourdes play an important role in promoting our heritage and making it accessible to Canadians."
"This exhibit bears witness to our past. It presents a part of our heritage that we must protect for future generations," said Mr. Pallister. "By sharing the stories of rural Manitoba communities with other provinces, the Société historique de Lourdes allows us all to discover the richness of our heritage."
The Société historique de Lourdes created this bilingual exhibition in close cooperation with 11 religious communities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The Society finished preparing the exhibition in November 2005 and, as a result of this funding, will now be able to tour it.
Thus far, two museums have hosted the exhibition: the St. Boniface Museum, in Manitoba, and the Art Gallery of Prince Albert, in Saskatchewan. The exhibition is currently at the Centre culturel Royer, in Ponteix, Saskatchewan. It will next be presented at the Musée Héritage Museum, in Alberta, and the Musée acadien de l'Université de Moncton, in New Brunswick. The travelling exhibit is accompanied by a teachers' guide.
The Department of Canadian Heritage has provided $39,375 in funding through its Museums Assistance Program. The Program provides financial support to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.
Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Status of Women
819 997-7788
Ryan Matthews
Office of the Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar
204 856-2090
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief of Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
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