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Nisga’a Museum among Indigenous projects supported by B.C.’s tourism recovery grant

Museum will use its nearly $380,000 grant to safeguard its signature Ancestors’ Collection
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Nisga’a Museum in the B.C. Northwest is among the Indigenous tourism projects funded for improvements by the province’s COVID-19 recovery fund. (Nisga’a Lisims Government photo )

The Nisga’a Museum in the Nass Valley has received $377,293 as part of the provincial government’s pandemic recovery funds to support Indigenous tourism.

The grant is part of the provincial government’s StrongerBC/ Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund stream announced by Tourism Minister Melanie Mark on June 24, through which 60 Indigenous projects across the province received over $28 million in total.

The funds will go towards the maintenance and safeguarding of the museum’s signature ‘Ancestors’ Collection,’ said museum curator Theresa Schober. The collection consists of artifacts from the 19th and 20th centuries which were returned to the Nisga’a Nation from museums in Ottawa and Victoria as part of the Nisga’a Treaty which came to effect on May 11, 2000.

“We are grateful for this support through the StrongerBC initiative which allows the museum to address outstanding issues affecting long-term environmental stability of collections in our care, while providing economic stimulus to the region as a path to recovery from COVID-19.”

The Nisga’a Museum typically welcomes 3,000 to 4,000 visitors each summer, excluding programs, tours, rentals, and special events. However last year COVID-19 forced the doors shut.

The Nisga’a Nation is yet to announce the reopening schedule for the museum and will welcome public back when it determines it is “safe to do so.”

In addition to the museum funds, the Nisga’a Lisims Government also received $141,875 for destination development.

Although some sites within the Nass Valley have partially reopened, Nisga’a Nation has requested visitors to check their website for travel updates as they are subject to change given the unprecedented nature of the pandemic.



About the Author: Binny Paul

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