Grand Opening of Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute

OUJÉ-BOUGOUMOU, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - June 8, 2012) - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, hailed today's official opening of the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute, a project toward which the Government of Canada has awarded more than $4.6 million in financial assistance.

"By funding the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute project, the Government of Canada is demonstrating its firm commitment to promoting tourism development, a sector that benefits the economy," said Minister Lebel.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in important cultural and heritage projects like the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute," said Minister Moore. "We are proud to invest in this project. In so doing, we are delivering on our commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage."

"We are pleased to have contributed to this major cultural infrastructure. We are confident that this addition to the Oujé-Bougoumou tourism offering will support the community's efforts to diversify its economy and extend its reach," said Minister Duncan.

The first of its kind in Nord-du-Québec, Aanischaaukamikw is a museum dedicated to the promotion of the culture and history of the Cree Nation which encompasses nine communities. Erected in Oujé-Bougoumou, the Institute comprises exhibition halls, a resource and documentation centre and spaces for archiving, storing, and preserving museological and archaeological assets. The building also houses the offices of the Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association and the Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association.

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The Government of Canada's contribution is as follows: Heritage Canada and Canada Economic Development respectively invested $2.26 million and $1.4 million in the Institute's construction, and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada contributed $1 million to the project. These sums were awarded under Canada's Economic Action Plan, designed to stimulate the economy by creating and maintaining jobs.

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

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