Community celebrates heritage centre opening

Page 13

Members of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation were joined by dignitaries, entertainers and visitors from across the North during a three-day celebration of the official opening of the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre.

The celebrations, held June 30 to July 2 in Fox Point, Teslin Tlingit Village, and the new Heritage Centre in Teslin, were the culmination of several years of work by many dedicated community members.

Work toward building the centre began back in 1996 when the Teslin Tlingit council put together a steering committee to look at the feasibility of creating a heritage centre. In 1998, the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre board was formed to develop the centre and oversee its programs.

The mandate of the new centre is to work to preserve the Teslin Tlingit culture, to provide cultural interpretation programs, and to attract tourists. The two exhibits currently on display at the centre should go far in helping meet each of these goals.

The first exhibit, Our Journey, looks at the last 200 years of Teslin Tlingit history. The second exhibit, Lifestyles of the People, looks at Teslin Tlingit traditions, some of which are still practised today. The important role carving has always played in these traditions is reflected in the exhibit, with several works by the community's world-renowned carvers on display.

A number of Teslin Tlingit artifacts are also on display at the heritage centre, provided by the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Que.

For more information about the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre, call 867-390-2070.