Government of Canada Helps the New Brunswick Museum Acquire Rare Artifacts

SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - Feb. 1, 2011) - The New Brunswick Museum will repatriate a pair of rare fans thanks to support from the Government of Canada. This funding was announced today by Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament (Saint John), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The acquisition will enhance the Museum's holdings of about 220 fans dating from the mid-18^th century to the early 20^th century. The fans will also enhance the Museum's collection of documentary art of the Maliseet people and New Brunswick in the 1830s and will complement the Museum's works of the same period.

"Our Government is pleased to support the New Brunswick Museum in the purchase of these two rare fans," said Minister Moore. "These are significant historical artifacts, and their acquisition is an important part of preserving and promoting our national heritage."

"As a result of a grant from the Government of Canada, these fans now have a permanent home in Canada, their country of origin," said Mr. Weston. "They will enhance the Museum's holdings and are a significant resource in understanding the social history of our province."

"The New Brunswick Museum appreciates the generous support of the Government of Canada in the acquisition of the fans. These pieces document an important aspect of the heritage of New Brunswick and of the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) First Nation," said Jane Fullerton, CEO of the New Brunswick Museum.

The New Brunswick Museum has purchased a pair of rigid or screen fans, circa 1835, which consist of a central painted panel surrounded by birch bark panels embroidered with porcupine quills. The paintings on the fans depict the housing styles, costumes, and transportation methods of the Maliseet people in the 1830s and suggest views of present-day Kingsclear First Nation and Tobique First Nation.

As early surviving examples of combined European and Aboriginal craftsmanship, the fans will offer research opportunities into birch bark and quill work embroidery construction techniques.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $5,216 through the Movable Cultural Property Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program helps collecting institutions repatriate cultural property to Canada, or keep in Canada cultural objects of outstanding significance and national importance that would otherwise be exported.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)