Sharing Nova Scotia's Mi'kmaq Culture and Heritage

TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE--Sharing Nova Scotia's Mi'kmaq Culture and Heritage

Visitors will soon be able to learn more about Nova Scotia's unique Mi'kmaq culture and heritage thanks to a new interpretive centre in Truro.

The Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage is investing $300,000 towards the development of the Glooscap Interpretive Centre, which will be built on the Truro Power Centre property, adjacent to Highway 102. The project will be jointly managed by the Central Nova Tourist Association and the Millbrook Band Council.

"Being located along Highway 102 will help entice visitors to stop and learn more about Mi'kmaq culture and everything Central Nova Scotia has to offer," said Jamie Muir, Minister of Education, on behalf of Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "A high-quality, Aboriginal tourism attraction will bring economic benefits to the region and the province."

The province's one-time grant will support the design and development of interpretive panels and displays for showcasing Mi'kmaq artifacts. It also will support site preparation, and engineering and architectural design work.

The Glooscap Interpretive Centre will showcase Mi'kmaq heritage, with a special emphasis on the legendary Mi'kmaq figure, Glooscap.

"This investment will go a long way towards making our interpretive centre a reality," said Lawrence Paul, chief, Millbrook Band Council. "The centre will promote the legend, tradition, and culture not only for Millbrook First Nation but for the whole Mi'kmaq Nation as Glooscap is a legend for all Mi'kmaq."

Nova Scotia's 2005 Tourism Plan identified a need to develop enhanced interpretation and interactive cultural heritage activities.

Today's investment is part of $15 million in funding announced by Mr. MacDonald in December 2004. That funding is designed to help boost Nova Scotia's tourism industry in the areas of marketing, product development, and regional tourism initiatives.