Friday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at the Fort St. John Cemetery
Join us for a guided cemetery tour of the Fort St. John Cemetery on 100 Ave. Learn about the connection of many of the people buried there to the Alaska Highway. From construction workers to entrepreneurs to ambulance drivers, the cemetery is full of people who worked and lived along the highway. Tour is $10 and can be paid at the gate of the cemetery prior to the tour. Call 250-787-0430 for more information.
Friday, April 13th at 7 p.m. at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum
Bull riding, parades, and roping… rodeos have long been a way for people in the North Peace to get together, celebrate, and put their skills to the test. Learn about these rodeos through historic film footage, stories, and photographs. Participate in rodeo themed crafts and activities. REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY AND LIMITED. Event tickets (available as of Jan. 8) are $5/child or $10/family and must be purchased at the museum in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult (free). Call 250-787-0430 for more information.
Friday, March 9th at 7 p.m. at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum
Come learn about and share memories of Jimmy Anderson, a daring bush pilot in North Eastern British Columbia, at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum’s Documentary & Story Sharing Night. See original film footage of Anderson flying and historic photographs while sharing and hearing stories about Jimmy “Midnight” Anderson and his Super Cub, the Jackpine Savage. Free admission. Donations are welcome. Call 250-787-0430 for more information.
Media Release
December 18, 2017
Community Photo Mosaic Celebrates Canada’s 150th
Commemorative Canada 150 photo mosaic to be unveiled on Friday, Dec 29 at 11:30 a.m. in the Montrose Cultural Centre.
This initiative is made possible by the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th; a collaboration between Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta, the Government of Canada, and extraordinary leaders from coast to coast to coast.
“The Canada 150 Commemorative photo mosaic will bring the excitement and pride surrounding Canada’s 150th into a local work of art that will be permanently and prominently displayed in our community, and accessible to all,” says Community
Foundation of Northwestern Alberta CEO Tracey Vavrek. “Integrating elements of diversity, inclusiveness, and reconciliation into arts and cultural projects is a powerful step to improve our shared sense of belonging.”
The installation is a partnership between the City of Grande Prairie’s Canada 150 Committee, chaired by former councillor Helen Rice, Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta, the Art Gallery of Grande and the Grande Prairie Aboriginal
Circle of Services. “Your Community Foundation is proud to be a part of the collaborative effort to bring this wonderful photo mosaic to our community.”
The Mosaic is a community legacy piece to celebrate the Sesquicentennial of Canada for years to come. “We looked at different monuments and clock options but the Photo Mosaic was chosen as an inclusive and interactive way to recognize Canada’s 150th ,” says Robin White with the City of Grande Prairie.
Photos taken at the City of Grande Prairie’s Canada 150 enhanced events are incorporated into the art work, creating a unique, local piece. The “Big 5” Canada 150 events in 2017 were Family Day (Monday, Feb 20), Municipal Government Day
(Wednesday, June 28), Canada Day (Saturday, July 1), Heritage Day (Monday, Aug. 7) and Alberta Culture Days (Friday, Sept 29 through Sunday, Oct 1, 2017).
Canadian Artist Robbie Craig’s painting, The Subarctic Bear, is the image chosen for the mosaic in consultation with the Art Gallery or Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services. The bear has a connection to two of the four Canada 150 themes: Diversity and Inclusion; and Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
About the Artist
The untouched and rugged landscape of Canada’s north inspires Robbie Craig’s artwork. Originally, from Barrie, Ontario, Robbie moved to the North-west Territories in his early 20s to work as a Principal and K-3 teacher at Alexis Arrowmaker School in Weweet’I.
He instantly fell in love with his northern home, drawn to the rugged landscape, tundra, and crooked “Seuss-like” trees. This beauty of the North inspired Robbie to reconnect with his creative side and passion for art.
Visit www.rcraig.org or search Robbie Craig's Northern Projects on Facebook for more information.
Community Foundation
Established in 1996, the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta is a leading not-for- profit and registered charity working to build healthy and resilient communities in our region. Community foundations contribute time, leadership, and financial support to local initiatives, helping people give back where our communities need it most. With an intimate knowledge of local priorities, the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta champions what matters most by directing grants, expertise, leadership, and other support to the projects and programs that support the needs of our communities.
-30-
Media enquiries may be directed to:
Richelle Richardson
Administrative Supervisor
City of Grande Prairie, Culture & Heritage
Phone: 780-830- 7083
rrichardson@cityofgp.com
Tracey Vavrek, CEO
Community Foundation of Northwestern
Alberta
Phone: 780-538- 2820
Cell: 780-814- 1526
tracey@buildingtomorrowtoday.com
buildingtomorrowtoday.com
The book launch “ The Lure of the Peace River Country 1872-1914” is taking place in Grande Prairie, at the Montrose Cultural Centre on December 2, 2017 from 2:00PM TO 4:00PM. Come out and meet the author! Click on the link for more information.
Friday December 9 at 7 p.m. at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum
Discover the delight of an old-fashioned Christmas at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum. See the museum decorated for Christmas, hear a holiday story, and make Christmas crafts. REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY AND LIMITED. Event tickets are $5/child or $10/family and must be purchased at the museum in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult (free). Call 250-787-0430 for more information. Registration has already begun.
Wednesday December 6, 2017 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum
Kick off your Christmas festivities at the museum’s annual old-fashioned Christmas Tea. The museum will be all decked out for Christmas and there will be fabulous baked goodies, sandwiches, tea, and coffee. This is the perfect time to catch up with friends and start your Christmas shopping in our gift shop. 10% off most gift shop items for North Peace Historical Society members. Call 250-787-0430 for more information.
Join the Peace Country Historical Society as we explore Scandinavian Settlement in Valhalla on September 23, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. RSVPs are required for lunch at the Melsness Mercantile Café. Phone Fran Moore at 780-957-3957.
Many Thanks,
Mary Nutting
Friday, November 10, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the Fort St. John North Peace Museum (location subject to change)
Join filmmaker Viktoria Stahl for the local premiere of her film, The Swedish Trapper. This documentary focuses on the life of Gus (Gustaf) Hedin, most notably his heroics in the Charlie Lake Disaster seventy-five years ago. During the construction of the Alaska Highway, seventeen men set out with supplies on a boat to cross Charlie Lake. Strong winds swamped their boat and trapper Gus Hedin saw the disaster and set out to help…. but he was unable to save them all. Learn more about this man’s remarkable life. Call 250-787-0430 for more information.