The Landscape Speaks through the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre

CanNor supports job creation through Heritage Centre renovations

TESLIN, YT, Nov. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor, today announced an investment of $498,000 to help renovate the Teslin Tlingit Council Heritage Centre building and surrounding landscape. The contribution, provided through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150), will in turn help create new jobs in the community of Teslin, Yukon.

The Heritage Centre enhancements will improve accessibility and expand the teaching space. As part of the renovations, the Centre will include a lineage wall to illustrate the Teslin Tlingit First Nation's heritage and a birch forest to demonstrate traditional uses and relationships with the landscape. The increased space will be used to host many events, such as the Hà Kus Teyea Celebrations (July) that welcomes over a thousand visitors a day during the festivities.

Quotes

"To celebrate Canada's 150^th anniversary, the Community Infrastructure Program supports renovation projects that give back to the community. The upgrades to the Teslin Tlingit Council Heritage Centre will both enhance this vibrant cultural centre and increase the community's ability to teach visitors about the Teslin Tlingit First Nation's traditional values and history and the surrounding landscapes."

Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and
Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

"The Teslin Tlingit Council's vision for the Heritage Centre reflects the needs of the community and the traditional values of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation.  It is a welcome place for both out-of-town visitors and Yukoners alike, and builds on our shared goals for increasing education and cultural awareness in our communities."

Larry Bagnell
Member of Parliament for Yukon

"The Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre, set in a breathtaking landscape, is a window to our Tlingit culture. It is a place of celebration, education, meeting and gathering.  We are proud to be able to enhance our facility and to be able to accommodate more visitors."  

Richard Sidney
Nha Shade Heni, Teslin Tlingit Council

Quick Facts

• Complementing CanNor's investment, the Teslin Tlingit Council is contributing $166,000 to this project.
• As outlined in Budget 2016, an additional $150 million will be provided over two years for CIP 150, bringing the total funding available to $300 million across the country. The program supports projects to renovate, expand and improve spaces such as community centres, parks and arenas across Canada as part of the Government of Canada's celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017. CIP 150 is delivered by CanNor in the North.

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

SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

For further information: Office of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, 343-291-2500; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Krisandra Reid, Communications Advisor, Yukon Region, 867-667-3210; Teslin Tlingit Council, Jade McGinty, Communications Coordinator, 867-390-2532 ext.306