Museum grants up for grabs

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After an April 12 adjudication session held by Museums Alberta, more than $156,000 of the Aboriginal Heritage Grants Program is still available for Aboriginal heritage programs.

Three Aboriginal projects were approved for a part of a $300,000 grant provided by the Alberta 2005 Centennial Legacies Grant Program. Kainai Interpretive Gallery Development, presented by Red Crow Community College and the Sir Alexander Galt Museum and Archives, Lethbridge; Restoring Lost Traditions Cultural Camps, presented by Gift Lake Metis settlement; and Grouard Historic Village, presented by Council of Community Education Committees of Northern Lakes College and Grouard Historic Village Working Group, will receive part of the fund.

The Galt Museum is now featuring the Akaitapiiwa/Ancestors exhibition about Kainai history and culture until Sept. 15. The new interpretive gallery installed on a permanent basis would educate people, not only on reserve but within the city of Lethbridge, about Blood history and language, said Ron Ulrich, the executive director of the museum. It will enable the Kainai people to celebrate their culture.

Gift Lake Metis settlement's project is a "Cultural camp for Metis youth facilitated by Elders to maintain and restore traditional crafts, culture and lifestyle for the purpose of creating a healthy self-image among Metis youth."

Some of its goals are to reduce intergenerational trauma of residential school syndrome, restore the balance between youth and Elders, as well as traditional values, and increase awareness for environmental protection.

Grouard Historic Village will interpret the Aboriginal and Metis history of the area (from 1800 to 1899) capturing the personal histories of local Elders and creating a permanent record of their stories.

Visitors and schoolchildren will have the opportunities for learning in the traditional setting of Cree and Metis camps typical of the period.

Applicants must demonstrate that a need for their project exists at a local, regional or provincial level and that it will leave a significant, memorable legacy for future generations.

The funds may be provided for the development of new exhibitions, programs, publications, and new media projects, which must be completed by Dec. 31, 2005.

Deadline for the application submission is June 15.

For more information visit the Web site at http://www.museumsalberta.ab.ca or phone (780) 424-2626.