Government of Canada Supports Strong and Diversified Cultural Industries in Yukon

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency funds the Adäka Cultural Festival which showcases and encourages the development of Yukon's distinctive First Nations arts and culture.

WHITEHORSE, YT, June 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Office of the Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), and Minister for the Arctic Council

Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, today announced funding that will support the Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCTA) to showcase the fourth annual Adäka Cultural Festival at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Each year, the festival brings significant economic benefits through tourism and local business activity, as well as providing great networking opportunities for First Nations artists to increase their profile and showcase their talents.

Quick Facts

• CanNor funding of $230,000 over two years will support YFNCTA to plan and organize the annual multidisciplinary cultural festival. The Adäka Cultural Festival brings First Nations artists from across Yukon together with artists from around the world to share and celebrate their creativity and rich culture with a local, national and international audience.
• The Government of Canada is also providing funding of $100,000 through Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts.
• The Government of Yukon is providing $92,090 in funding through Tourism and Culture, Economic Development, Lotteries Commission and the Youth Directorate.
• The Adäka Cultural Festival is a seven-day, multi-disciplinary festival that features traditional and contemporary music, dance, drumming, visual arts and craft, storytelling, interpretive programming, artist workshops, and a marketplace.  Each year, over 150 Yukon First Nations artists gather with Aboriginal artists from other regions to present their work, learn new skills, hone their marketing and business knowledge, and gain access to local, national, and international audiences.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to support the Adäka Cultural Festival, which will increase the awareness and demand for Yukon First Nations arts, crafts, and cultural experiences. Our Government continues to fund projects such as this one which generates important economic activity in our community and provide an opportunity for Yukon First Nations to present their artistry and culture to visitors from around the world."

Ryan Leef
Member of Parliament for Yukon

"The Adäka Cultural Festival makes a tremendous contribution to the fabric of Yukon. This renowned celebration of Yukon First Nation arts, craft and performance inspires pride in our shared northern identity and has become a favourite summertime activity in the territory."

Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski

"We are extremely grateful for the funding we receive from the Government of Canada. The Adäka Cultural Festival is a important catalyst in the development of cultural and tourism industries, and contributes to the economic and cultural mosaic of Yukon."  The funding we receive from CanNor allows us to support First Nation artists to pursue business opportunities and showcase their talent in an outside of Yukon "

Shirlee Frost
President YFNCTA

SOURCE: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

For further information:

please contact:

Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Ted Laking
819-997-1441

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Erin Macpherson
Communications Advisor
867-667-3849

CanNor works to help develop a diversified, sustainable and dynamic economy across Canada's three territories, and delivers on its northern mandate through funding programs, the Northern Projects Management Office and by undertaking policy and research.

Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association 
Charlene Alexander
Executive Director
867.667.7698 Ext.  202
Email: [e-mail]

YFNCT is a not-for-profit organization committed to growing, promoting and celebrating strong and sustainable Yukon First Nations arts, culture and tourism sectors.

Government of Yukon 
Elaine Schiman
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7961

For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca

For more information on Canada's Northern Strategy, visit: northernstrategy.ca