Haida Bucks

The Provincial Government has made a one time contribution of $4 million dollars towards the research, design and construction of cultural exhibits at a $26 million dollar Haida Heritage Centre.

The project is expected create around 130 direct and indirect jobs in the Skidegate area and provide a home for an international teaching centre, archives centre, canoe house, arts theatre and headquarters for the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve.

The Daily News featured the story on its front page in Thursday’s paper.


B. C. commits $4 million to Haida Heritage Centre
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Page One

The Province has contributed $4 million towards the Haida Heritage Centre at Qay’Ilnagaay (pronounced Kay-Al-nuh-guy), which will become an international tourism destination showcasing Haida art and culture.

“The Haida Heritage Centre at Qay’Ilnagaay will give visitors and students from around the world the opportunity to experience the unique culture, art and history of the Haida Nation,” said Premier Gordon Campbell this morning. “The people of British Columbia will be contributing $4 million dollars to ensure that this centre remains a lasting legacy for Haida culture.”

The Province’s one-time funding contribution will support research, design and construction of cultural exhibits at the estimated $26 million centre.

Scheduled to open in 2007, the 50,000 square foot centre will house an international teaching centre, a new oral history and archives centre, a canoe house, performing arts theatre and headquarters for the world-renowned Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve.

“The energy, the spirit that are reflected here … are something that I believe that all British Columbians will join with the Haida people in taking great pride in,” said Campbell.

“It will help to build the respect of the whole world for Haida culture, it will help to build understanding, it will be a bridge that takes us forward and is firmly planted on the foundations of the past.

“Visitors will come from around the world and ask for permission to come and step on these lands and be part and share … this is a place that will touch the hearts of many in the years to come.”

Preserving the culture and traditions of the Haida are critical for the Haida, Canada and British Columbia as those traditions and history are a part of us,” he said.

“Our heritage centre is a place of inspiration, hope and sharing, a place to learn and teach, a place for the Haida voice to be heard,” said Skidegate Chief Councillor Willard Wilson.”

“I feel real warm in my heart today, to have a Premier come to our community and talk about partnership with the people of Skidegate,

“(Grand Chief) Ed John talked to me a few months ago and said ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we got together and started networking the communities in British Columbia that have cultural centres … and started to let the world know that we welcome them to our traditional territories to share what we have in each of our communities with the world.

“It makes me feel good when we talk about that.”

Over the course of the construction period and once fully operational, the Haida Heritage Centre will create approximately 130 direct and indirect jobs in Skidegate.

The centre lies at the heart of a long-term economic development strategy developed by the Skidegate Band, which includes a resort hotel, golf course, RV park and cabins, and new opportunities for tour guides.

The centre is anticipated to draw more than 10,000 additional visitors to Haida Gwaii each year.