| The Canadian Heritage family, which includes the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts, the CBC and our other major national cultural institutions, plays a key role in the cultural and civic life of Canadians. We work together to promote culture, arts, heritage, official languages, citizenship and participation, multiculturalism, Aboriginal, youth, and sport initiatives. Canadian Heritage fosters creativity, innovation, linguistic duality and cultural diversity with a view to connecting Canadians to each other and the world. Our services are available from offices all over the country, including Whitehorse. Highlights 2007 Canada Winter Games
Canadian Heritage is contributing $20 million to the City of Whitehorse to build a sport multiplex, which will be the central facility when Whitehorse hosts the 2007 Canada Winter Games. The multiplex will include an aquatic centre, three ice surfaces, a family fitness/wellness centre and an indoor track. Yukon Arts Centre
A $220,000 contribution for equipment upgrades at the Yukon Arts Centre (YAC) in Whitehorse will enable the Yukon's premiere arts facility to host shows that demand higher technical standards in artistic creation, production and performance. Audiences elsewhere in the Yukon will also benefit: the YAC's existing equipment is being donated to smaller community facilities such as the Oddfellows Hall in Dawson City, the Saint Elias Centre in Haines Junction, and the Guild Theatre in Whitehorse. Aboriginal Sport Development
The Aboriginal Sport Development project enables Yukon Aboriginal youth to go from participating in recreational sport to competing in mainstream sporting events. The project focusses on a number of goals: developing coaching leadership skills within the Aboriginal community, building relationships with non-Aboriginal coaches, conducting sport clinics, developing an athlete and coach recognition and promotional program, and developing traditional sports - such as arctic sports and Dene games. Aboriginal Languages
Federal-territorial agreements are in place to help preserve, develop and enhance the Aboriginal languages of the Yukon. The Northern Native Broadcast Access Program supports production of radio and television programming in all eight Aboriginal languages of the Yukon. Official Languages
Canada-Yukon agreements ensure provision of quality French-language services that contribute to the development and vitality of the Yukon's Francophone community. Supported initiatives include expansion of the Petit Cheval Blanc French language daycare in Whitehorse, provision of French language services to Francophone patients at Whitehorse General Hospital and at the Whitehorse Health Centre, and a five-year special project to ensure the Yukon's Francophone community continues to be served by a French language newspaper - l'Aurore boréale. |
In Yukon... In 2004, the Government of Canada contributed more than $4 million towards French-language services and second language instruction in schools through Canada- Yukon funding agreements. 70 youth experienced another community, language or culture in 2003/04 through our Youth Exchanges Canada program. To increase participation in quality sport activities at all levels in the territories, the Government of Canada is contributing $420,000 over three years to support programs offered under the Pan-Territorial Sport Strategy: Yukon Program. Information on 20 Yukon museums, including virtual exhibits, is available online at www.virtualmuseum.ca. The Canada Council for the Arts granted $421,000 to 13 arts organizations and eight artists in 2003/04. 
|
