Youth the Focus of Heritage Day Celebration

Lt.-Gov. Myra Freeman hosted several Nova Scotia youth at Government House today, Feb. 18, in celebration of national Heritage Day.

The students are participants in a national program called Heritage Fairs -- an educational initiative that encourages young people to explore their history. Through the program, the students created heritage projects, bringing to life the stories of their families, communities and regions.

"Our heritage is who we are and where we come from. It shapes how we see and react to our world," said the lieutenant-governor. "Our young people gain so much insight about who they are and why they think as they do when they better understand the past."

Heritage Day is celebrated every year on the third Monday in February. The focus is on emphasizing the important contribution that each province's heritage makes to the country as a whole.

"Teaching our young people about our heritage helps to give them a strong foundation on which to build their future," said Education Minister Jane Purves, who attended the event at Government House. "The Heritage Fairs program is a creative initiative that inspires them to teach themselves and each other, which is how young minds learn best."

The students' projects range in topic from a personal look at the Halifax Explosion to a story of immigration from China to Canada, to the life of a country doctor and the discovery of one's musical roots.

The Heritage Fairs program is supported by Historica, a foundation whose mandate is "to provide Canadians with a deeper understanding of their history and its importance in shaping their future."

"I have a great appreciation of the role heritage plays in shaping the present and the future. Historica shares that appreciation and the desire to generate interest in community, history and creativity in our youth," said the lieutenant- governor.

At the event, the lieutenant-governor announced the development of a new heritage-based project. Through the support of the Historica foundation and Industry Canada, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor now has a new Web site.

Located on the Internet at http://lt.gov.ns.ca, the site provides information on the history of the office, its role in Nova Scotia, and information on awards and events the lieutenant- governor endorses.

"The role of lieutenant-governor is an important part of our provincial heritage. I encourage students, visitors and all Nova Scotians to use the site as a resource to learn more about this province and its institutions," said Lt.-Gov. Freeman.

The new site also includes a virtual tour of Government House. Visitors to the site can enjoy panoramic displays of various areas of the house. The lieutenant-governor added that the site will grow over time with plans to make the awards and events section more comprehensive and to add children's pages.

"Through such initiatives as Heritage Fairs, students in Nova Scotia are helping to ensure their local heritage is rediscovered and shared," said the lieutenant-governor. "In following their example, our new Web site was designed with the goal of helping others learn about an important piece of our heritage, as well as how the Office of Lieutenant Governor is moving into the future."

The following are some of the Heritage Fair participants who displayed their projects at Government House today, Feb. 18.

• Charles Harrington, Debert, Colchester Co. Project: L'explosion d'Halifax
• Rhonda Kennedy, Truro, Colchester Co. Project: It's a Ceilidh
• Thomas Lee, Trenton, Pictou Co. Project: In Search of Gold Mountain
• Joseph Power, Upper Rawdon, Hants Co. Project: Dr. MacLean - A Country Doctor
• Ewan Scallion, Wentworth Station, Cumberland Co. Project: Wentworth Ski Hill
• Claire Delong, Caledonia, Queens Co. Project: Mi'kmaq Legends
• Alicia Maynard, Newport, Hants Co. Project: The Tragic Halifax Explosion
• Mark Deveaux, Sydney, Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Project: Cape Breton Highlanders (A Family Connection)
• Violet Robinson, Howie Centre, Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Project: Canadian Trivia
• Molly Rankin, Judique, Inverness Co. Project: Music in the Blood
• Stephanie MacDonald, Whycocomagh, Inverness Co. Project: History/Future of the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association
• Kristyn Stallard, New Glasgow, Pictou Co. Project: Apothecary
• Shanda Nevin-Myo, Indian Brook, Colchester Co. Project: Jingle Dress Dance
• Shenisa Marr, Indian Brook, Colchester Co. Project: Native Drumming
• Jodi Maloney, Indian Brook, Colchester Co., and Carrie Knockwood, Indian Brook, Colchester Co. Project: Native Herbal Medicine