Mr. Speaker, by tradition, the third week in February is celebrated across Canada as Heritage Week. This year in the Northwest Territories, many organizations are celebrating the importance of heritage.
I would like to highlight some of the Heritage Week events that will be taking place in the Northwest Territories this week.
On February 16 and 17, several organizations are promoting heritage and culture-based education resources at the NWT Teachers Conference in Yellowknife. Representatives from the NWT Heritage Fairs Society are giving out pieces of a “heritage” cake February 16 to mark the significance of National Heritage Day.
The Norman Wells Historical Centre has organized a storytelling event today aimed at local family participation. Long-term resident Ed Hodgson is sharing some of his favourite stories of life on the land. The Historical Centre continues to feature many exhibits of history, art and cultural heritage of the Sahtu region. For example, moosehide craftwork by Sahtu Dene artisan Myrtle Harrison is on exhibit along with artifacts and natural history
specimens that portray the beauty of the land and tell the story of the CANOL Trail, exploration and aviation history of the region.
The City of Yellowknife Heritage Committee kicked off its celebration of Heritage Week yesterday with an afternoon of storytelling and a heritage art show at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. They also announced the winners of the 2008 Heritage Award to the Mildred Hall School heritage mappers.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite Members to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre to view the various new displays and exhibitions including Pihuaqtiuyugit – We are the Long Distance Walkers. The exhibit features traditional place names near Ulukhaktok and the literacy skills used by Kangiryuarmiut to travel from ancient routes from the sea ice inland to caribou calving grounds.
Awareness, appreciation and promotion of our northern heritage is important because it helps strengthen our cultural identity as individuals, families and communities.
I would like to recognize the efforts of all cultural and heritage organizations and individuals across the NWT who work to promote, preserve and revitalize our unique northern heritage throughout the year. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.