Members of Heritage Task Force Announced

Nova Scotians will have the opportunity to influence heritage policy in the province.

A 12-member panel will consult with stakeholders, people with an interest in heritage, and experts in the field before making recommendations for a heritage strategy for Nova Scotia.

Voluntary Planning has now appointed a task force to conduct the review on behalf of the Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage and the province of Nova Scotia.

"The development of a heritage strategy will help protect what Nova Scotians value and set the direction for growth of our heritage industries," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "I am grateful to the members of the task force for undertaking this important job."

The task force was chosen, in large part, from replies to an expression of interest issued by Voluntary Planning in April. The task force will conduct a public discussion of all aspects of the province's heritage to find out what Nova Scotians value most about their heritage and how best to manage heritage assets.

"The Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage, as the umbrella organization for most of the heritage organizations in the province, welcomes this significant step in the creation of a heritage strategy for Nova Scotia," said spokesperson Gordon Hammond. "We have been working for some time now with government on this vital initiative and we encourage all Nova Scotians who value our heritage to participate in the planning process. The heritage strategy will guide the recognition and nurturing of our heritage for years to come and it is important that the task force hear from as many Nova Scotians as possible."

The schedule of community hall meetings will be announced in early fall as well as other ways citizens, stakeholder organizations and experts can provide input.

"The task force members come from a variety of backgrounds and have varying levels of familiarity with the subject," said Maureen Reid, chair of the Heritage Task Force. "This broad representation will allow for great discussion and debate. But first we are anxious to hear how Nova Scotians feel about heritage -- now and in decades ahead."

An interim report that captures issues and points of view gathered from the public consultations is expected in February. The final report and recommended strategy is due in the spring of 2006.

The project is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage with an investment of $80,000 towards the research and recommendations phase of the heritage strategy.

NOTE: The following is a list of task force members and brief biographies.

Maureen Reid, Halifax (Chair) As founder and president of BoardWorks Consulting, Maureen has more than 18 years experience as an advisor to governing boards in both the public and non-profit sectors. She currently chairs the IWK Health Centre board and is a corporate director of Assumption Life. Past roles include being a partner in the labour and employment law group of a major Halifax firm. She has also been a volunteer leader with the Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce, the Neptune Theatre Foundation and the IWK Health Centre Foundation.

Tim Bernard, Truro Tim is the director of history and culture with The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq whose member bands include Annapolis Valley, Bear River, Glooscap, Millbrook, Paq'tnkek and Pictou Landing. He is also the former manager/editor of the Mi'kmaq- Maliseet Nations News and Eastern Woodland Publishing -- both of which he was instrumental in developing as successful First Nations companies. Tim is currently the Mi'kmaw co-chair for the Nova Scotia, Canada, Mi'kmaq Tripartite Forum's Culture & Heritage Working Committee, as well as co-chair of the Mi'kmaw Cultural Network.

James Morrison, Halifax Dr. Morrison is currently professor of history with St. Mary's University and chair of Asian Studies. He has written a number of books and articles on oral history in Nova Scotia, Canada, and beyond. He has also researched and written on the various ethnic groups that make up our province. Jim has acted as a consultant on oral history and cultural heritage to federal, provincial and municipal governments. He has lived and worked in Africa (Ghana and Nigeria) and Asia (Singapore, India and Japan). Jim has held a variety of positions in several heritage organizations including the Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage and the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society.

Marilyn Wilkins, Wilmot Marilyn is a municipal councilor for the County of Annapolis and is in her 13th year of service. Since her initial election to council, she has chaired the Heritage Advisory Committee for Annapolis County. This year (2005) marks, "400 years of Living and Working Together" in Annapolis County. Marilyn is playing a central role in these celebrations by co-chairing the Focus 2005 Committee. This committee developed a calendar of events listing almost 200 community activities celebrating this very significant year throughout Annapolis County. In addition to her role as councilor, Marilyn is involved in numerous other community organizations.

Ronald Caplan, Wreck Cove For 27 years, Ronald has edited and published Cape Breton's Magazine -- a publication devoted to history, natural history, and the future of Cape Breton Island. He also publishes Breton Books including more than 75 books of history, biography, poetry, folklore, and drama; most of which were written by Cape Bretoners. Among a number of formal recognitions he has received for his work, Ron was awarded an honorary doctorate from Cape Breton University in 1999. Breton Books also promotes all Cape Breton publishing by issuing an annual catalogue that reaches more than 35,000 people on the Island and away. Ron is currently vice-president of the Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association.

John Wesley Chisholm, Musquodoboit Harbour John Wesley is currently president of Arcadia Entertainment. He has a 15-year background in television production, arts management and administration. After working on the design and implementation of the film and video tax credit financing system in Canada, he moved into production and financing work. His awards and nominations include Junos, Geminis, Genies, Atlantic Film Festival and East Coast Music awards. In the past five years he has produced more than 50 documentary programs on ocean-related themes. These programs have been shown on Discovery, National Geographic, History, Canal D, Outdoor Life, Vision, CBC and sold in more than 130 countries.

Barbara LeBlanc, Terre Noire Originally from Cape Breton, Dr. LeBlanc currently teaches at Université Sainte-Anne where she uses her talents as an educator to promote Acadian history and culture. She has conducted workshops and developed creative educational programs for children and visitors to national historic sites such as Grand Pré, Fort Anne, and Port-Royal as well as the Nova Scotia Museum. Barbara has also collaborated in producing a video and teacher's manual in French and English on traditional Acadian dance. She has held an important leadership role in the efforts of the Acadian community. Dr. LeBlanc has served as president of the Acadian Provincial Association, the Societé Promotion Grand Pré and the Canadian Association of Folklore.

Elizabeth Cromwell, Birchtown Born in Shelburne, Elizabeth completed training in social welfare work in 1969. She became a caseworker and then a casework supervisor with the Chirldren's Aid Society of Shelburne County until her retirement. In the late 1980s, Elizabeth helped found the Shelburne County Cultural Awareness Society -- now the Black Loyalist Heritage Society -- to promote and celebrate minority groups in Shelburne County. She was president of the society. Elizabeth was a member of the board of directors of the former Black United Front from 1989 to 1993 and served on the board of the Black Cultural Society of Nova Scotia from 1992 to 1994. Currently Elizabeth serves on the Christ Church Council and Parish and is a member of Nova Scotia Association of Soical Workers and Congress of Black Women of Canada. Among numerous other honours, Elizabeth was indicted into the Dr. W.P. Oliver Wall of Fame until 2002 at the Black Cultural Centre. Elizabeth now lives in Birchtown with her husband, Everett.

Joyce Rankin, Judique Joyce was born and raised in Judique, went away to see the world and has come back home where she now lives with her family. She currently manages the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique. She sits on the boards of the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia and the Iona Connection Heritage Network. As an amateur historian, folklorist, and genealogist, Joyce writes both fiction and non-fiction. At My Mother's Door is a collection of her poetry (now a theatre production) that tells the stories of, and celebrates, generations of Cape Breton women. She has read her work at ceilidhs and literary gatherings in Cape Breton and Scotland.

Candace Stevenson, Halifax Candace retired in 2000 after a 28-year career in the heritage sector. Her last position was executive director of heritage and culture for the province of Nova Scotia. In this position, her heritage responsibilities included the Nova Scotia Museum, community museum grants, funding to the Federation of Nova Sctian Heritage, the Heritage Property Act, Special Places Protection Act and providing liaison between the department and the Provincial Archives. In 2001, Candace was named Fellow of the Canadian Museums Association. She continues to be active in the not-for-profit sector as a consultant and a volunteer with several prominent boards and committees.

Sara Knight, Halifax After graduating from Dalhousie University with her law degree in 2004, Sara spent a year articling in Halifax before being called to the Nova Scotia Bar. While an undergraduate student studying history at Queen's University, Sara spent her summers working at Black Creek Pioneer Village -- a living history museum outside of Toronto. During this time Sara focused primarily on the development and delivery of education programs for children and the general public. Her main area of academic interest is Canadian social history, with a focus on the nineteenth century. Sara has published two papers on the history of the United Church and has a keen personal interest in military history and the history of Nova Scotia.

Wendy Paquette, Halifax Wendy recently retired from the position of senior vice-president, customer service with Aliant. She is native of P.E.I. who, for the past four years, has been selected by the National Post as one of the 50 most powerful women in Canada. After spending 14 years in various positions with the Council of Maritime Premiers, Wendy joined MTT where she then held a number of key roles across the company, including president of MTT and MTT Mobility and vice-president, major customers. As senior vice-president, customer service with Aliant (close to 4,000 employees) she was responsible for all aspects of customer service throughout Atlantic Canada. Among her many other affiliations, Wendy is a member of the selection board for Canada's Top 40 under 40. She is a board member of Canadian Women in Communications and the Frank H. Sobey Faculty of Commerce for St. Mary's University.