Member of Parliament Ryan Leef Announces Support for Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Da Kų Cultural Centre

HAINES JUNCTION, YT, Nov. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament (Yukon), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced support for the Da Kų Cultural Centre. This funding will strengthen the Centre's care and management of fragile artifacts and archival records.

"The Da Kų Cultural Centre is an important part of the local community that celebrates the cultural contributions of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations," said Mr. Leef. "Our Government is proud to invest in the sustainability of local cultural institutions like this one, because of the role they play in preserving and showcasing our shared history."

This investment will allow the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations to purchase and install mobile shelving systems in the collections and archives rooms of the Da Kų Cultural Centre. The new equipment will support the safe long-term storage and preservation of its collections, ensuring access to current and future generations.

"Our Government is proud to support cultural institutions that protect and promote our heritage so that it can be enjoyed by Canadians," said Minister Glover. "This cultural centre is providing an important opportunity for people to connect with arts, culture and First Nations traditions."

"Da Kų (Our House) is a museum-quality facility for storing and showcasing items that document and express our history, language and culture—our rich traditions," said Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Chief James Allen. "This funding contributes significantly to our ability to safeguard important components of our cultural inheritance, including items such as regalia, family heirlooms, art pieces, artifacts, genealogical records, photographs and oral history recordings of community Elders."

The Da Kų Cultural Centre, located just outside Kluane National Park on traditional Champagne and Aishihik First Nations land, opened in the summer of 2012. The Centre is a 27,000-square-foot heritage facility that serves as a gathering place to recognize and celebrate the cultural contributions and way of life of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $77,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This Fund seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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For further information, please contact:

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Anna Gravelle
A/Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-6504

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
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[email protected]

(This news release is available on the Internet http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)