Member of Parliament Lisa Hepfner announces funding for the
Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford
BRANTFORD, ON, July 3, 2024
/CNW/ - Today, Lisa Hepfner, Member
of Parliament (Hamilton Mountain), on behalf of the Honourable
Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced funding
of more than $1.4 million for the
Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford.
The funding marks a significant investment in the cultural
landscape of the region. It provides support through the Canada
Cultural Spaces Fund for the pivotal "Save the Evidence" project,
the Canada Arts Presentation Fund to bolster the Centre's
performing arts initiatives, and the Multiculturalism and
Anti-Racism Program for a cultural showcase and workshop.
The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund will specifically support the
last stage of the Centre's "Save the Evidence" project at the
former Mohawk Institute Residential School. This phase will see the
completion of exhibits within the school, transforming it into a
living testament and national site of conscience, accurately
portraying the experiences of its survivors and victims.
The Canada Arts Presentation Fund will provide $75,000 over three years (2024–2027) for the
Centre's "Gonahdoge.he.gye – She Is Growing" performance
series.
The Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program supported the
Centre's presentation of "Dwade?'nyota' Dwaga:'sho?:'o?h – We
Celebrate Our Stories," a hybrid cultural showcase and workshop
that celebrated the Summer Solstice.
Quotes
"Our government understands that sharing the legacy of
residential schools is at the heart of reconciliation. By
supporting projects like the Woodland Cultural Centre's 'Save the
Evidence,' we hope to honour the experiences of Indigenous peoples,
their families, and communities. Together, we can shed light on
this dark chapter, fostering healing and understanding for
everyone."
—The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian
Heritage
"Woodland Cultural Centre is undertaking work that is
challenging and imperative, so that Canadians can understand the
truth of what happened at residential schools and its lasting
legacy. I am honoured and humbled to represent our government in
supporting this work, as understanding the truth is first step on
the path to reconciliation."
—Lisa Hepfner, Member of Parliament (Hamilton Mountain)
"Woodland Cultural Centre is grateful to the Department of
Canadian Heritage, the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and the Canadian
federal government for their generous support of our work to share
the history of the Mohawk Institute and the stories of Residential
School Survivors; this truly is an act of reconciliation."
—Heather George, Executive Director, Woodland Cultural
Centre
Quick Facts
The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund supports the improvement of
physical conditions for arts, heritage, culture and creative
innovation. The Fund supports renovation and construction projects,
the acquisition of specialized equipment and feasibility studies
related to cultural spaces.
The Canada Arts Presentation Fund provides financial assistance
to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or
performing arts series (arts presenters) and organizations that
offer support to arts presenters.
The Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program, through its Events
component, provides funding to promote intercultural or interfaith
understanding; discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism
and religious discrimination; and to celebrate a community's
history and culture.
The Woodland Cultural Centre (The Centre) encompasses two main
buildings: a museum and art gallery, and the former Mohawk
Institute Residential School, which was the first residential
school in Canada. The building has
since been used to hold offices, a library and a Language Education
Centre. Around 20,000 visitors a year have taken in tours and
attended programming, workshops and exhibitions at the Centre's two
buildings.
The residential school program operated at the Centre from 1828
to 1970. By 1972, the Woodland Cultural Centre was founded, and
work began to establish research and collections, ensuring that
evidence was saved, and victims and survivors were honoured.
Associated Links
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
Canada Arts Presentation Fund
Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program
Woodland Cultural Centre
SOURCE Canadian Heritage