This week is Heritage Week and each year the City of Yellowknife recognizes one resident for their work preserving our northern heritage. I want to congratulate Yvonne Quick, who is the recipient of the 2009 City of Yellowknife Heritage Award. Over the years she has served on the City of Yellowknife’s Heritage Committee, the Northern Frontier Visitors Association board of directors, the Wildcat Cafe Advisory Committee, the NWT Mining Heritage Society and the Float Plane Fly-in and Air Show committees. She is also the current coordinator of the Arctic Ambassadors and represents the Northwest Territories on the federal/provincial/territorial Culture, Heritage and Tourism Initiative, a nation-wide committee that brings together heritage and tourism.
There are many heritage activities and programs provided year-round by schools, language centres, cultural organizations and community museums across the Northwest Territories. I encourage people and families to participate in these activities and consider the many ways of celebrating their cultural heritage in everyday life through spending time with elders, preparing traditional foods, travelling to places of cultural significance, speaking their traditional language and learning about their family history through stories and photographs. Residents and visitors in the Yellowknife area may want to visit the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre the evening of February 10th for the opening of the City of Yellowknife Heritage Art Show, featured until February 26th. The exhibit highlights the rich history of our capital city expressed through creativity of Yellowknife residents.
I believe supporting this kind of creativity is essential for fostering productive and healthy communities. In 2010 the NWT Arts Council celebrates 25 years of supporting northern artists, helping them develop and share their talents. Since it started in August 1985, the NWT Arts Council has provided support to over 1,000 artists and organizations.
Throughout this anniversary year, activities and workshops are planned in each region showcasing local artists and cultural organizations. I invite everybody to participate in their community, get to know their local artists and thank them for enriching the cultural fabric of our communities. I would like to thank the NWT Arts Council members across the Territory whose ongoing efforts increase awareness about the value of northern art.
A great way people and visitors in the Yellowknife area can learn more about the NWT Arts Council is by viewing some of the art they’ve supported at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. In addition, Amazing Family Sunday activities at the territorial museum often include presentations by artists who are funded by the council and other programs of my department.
These are great opportunities to spend time with family, learning about the diverse cultures that make our Territory such a great place to call home.
I’d like to give you a taste of some of the Amazing Family Sunday activities coming up at the museum. On February 14th the City of Yellowknife Heritage Committee is hosting a storytelling event; on February 21st people are invited to a tour of the art on display at the museum, with demonstrations by the Aurora Arts Society; music is the theme on February 28th, when people can take in a performance by members of Classics on Stage Yellowknife; and finally, on March 5th local experts will demonstrate traditional northern clothing decoration. I encourage everybody to bring their family on Sundays for a fun look at the art and culture of the Northwest Territories.
Visitors to our territorial museum can also catch a glimpse of some existing new exhibits being created. Museum staff are currently developing new permanent displays that highlight the beauty and cultural significance of our northern landscapes, animals, artifacts, stories and legends. A new display featuring muskrat in the Mackenzie Delta is scheduled to open in June 2010.
As I said earlier, supporting northern art and culture is essential for fostering healthy and productive communities. I want to again thank the NWT Arts Council for 25 years dedicated to helping northern artists achieve their goals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
