This is good news for Island heritage

The province's commitment to a centrally located provincial museum is a step in the right direction.
- editorial as published in The Guardian - 24, Nov 2008

The provincial government wasn't able to give many details, but its announcement recently that it's committed to creating a centrally located provincial museum is significant news. It means those who've long called for such a facility - and with good reason - will finally get their wish. All Islanders, their children and grandchildren will be the beneficiaries.

Prince Edward Islanders have a well-developed appreciation of their heritage and culture, judging from the array of heritage sites across the Island, and the communities and heritage groups that actively support them. While many of these sites - Orwell Corner, for example - have their following of both visitors and Islanders, the lack of a centrally located provincial museum means there's no one general site to showcase and celebrate Island heritage and to display its many artifacts.

The announcement a week ago by Heritage Minister Carolyn Bertram puts the province on the right path toward finally creating such a site. But there are some unanswered questions that stand out: Where will it be? What would it consist of and what would it display? How much money will government put toward fulfilling its commitment? Ms. Bertram did say she'd like to see the museum open within "the next few years", so picking a site and coming up with the cash to create a museum are clearly the next pressing issues to be decided.

Ms. Bertram has her job cut out for her. As one of many ministers around the cabinet table - all of whom will be arguing for their share of the spending pie during these uncertain economic times - she'll have to keep trumpeting her government's commitment to a central museum so it doesn't fall off the agenda.

Province commits to creation of central museum

David Keenleyside, left, executive director of the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation, Philip Macdonald, vice-chair, and Heritage Minister Carolyn Bertram, announced Friday the province will commit to creating a centrally located provincial museum and will also work to develop a heritage strategy. Guardian photo

by JIM DAY as published in The Guardian, 15th of Nov, 2008


The future site for showcasing the province’s past appears likely destined to be in the Charlottetown area.
Heritage Minister Carolyn Bertram pledged Friday her government’s commitment to creating a centrally located provincial museum facility.

Further analysis will be done to peg the specific location, but the recommendation from a heritage report released Friday clearly seems to place the capital city as the prime candidate.

Bertram said the location would be centrally located in a place with the highest potential for visitors to the site.

“We are not going to prejudge where it is going to be, that is part of the (upcoming) process,’’ she said when asked if the site will inevitably end up in the capital city.

Still, the crowd gathered inside the main theatre of Province House cheered Bertram’s promise to create a centrally located provincial museum facility.

The previous Conservative government was ready for construction of a provincial artifactory in Murray River but the Liberal election victory in late May 2007 brought those plans to an abrupt halt.

The proposed $4.9-million project to house and display some of the more than 80,000 items of historical significance now being stored in the West Royalty Industrial Park also included a retail and boutique attachment as a way to stimulate more summertime business in this quiet fishing village.

But while the relocation bid was applauded by the P.E.I. Heritage Foundation, it drew the ire of other heritage buffs who insisted Murray River was too far off the beaten track and the province should be building a provincial museum instead in the capital city.

Bertram hopes to see the museum open within “the next few years’’ but future analysis — and capital budget approval — is still needed to determine many factors for the promised facility. Among the unanswered questions is where will the museum be located, will it be housed in an existing building or will a new facility be constructed and what will be displayed in the facility.

Bertram says it is important for the government to undertake proper planning for a new facility to ensure it meets the expectations and needs of Islanders.

She also wants her government to support capital upgrades to the current seven provincial museums that dot the Island.

The $60,000 report, called Charting A Course, also calls for government to develop a strategy to guide future planning for heritage. Bertram says government will work immediately to create a strategy.

“Within one year, we will have a series of heritage priorities and specific action areas identified to address various heritage needs,’’ she said. “The strategy will recognize that heritage goes beyond bricks and mortar — heritage is a way of thinking about our Island community.’’

That philosophy sits well with Catherine Hennessey, a vocal advocate for the promotion and preservation of the Island’s heritage.

“I have a belief in a museum, but I have a deep belief that we can put a group of people together — a staff — that will help one end of this Island to the other interpreting and preserving our history,’’ she said following Friday’s announcement. “The call is out now for the community to support this wonderful first step.’’

More than 500 individuals and organizations came forward with their concerns and suggestions in helping the IRIS group prepare its report.

Other recommendations in the report include:

• - Making more effective use and enforcement of existing legislation, notably the Heritage Places Protection Act. Proclaiming the Archaeology Act and developing regulations.
• - Strengthening and clarifying the mandates regarding administration and provincial heritage resources.
• - Giving more prominence to heritage concerns within government as part of the decision-making process.
• - Increasing support for community museums through the Community Museums Association

Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island praising the results of provincial museum study.

Date:

Nov 16 2008

SUMMERSIDE, PEI, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 - The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (MCPEI) is praising the results of a comprehensive study that calls for significant Aboriginal involvement in new provincial museum.

“Recognizing the contributions and culture of Prince Edward Island and telling the unique Island story would not be complete without showcasing the history and heritage of the Mi’kmaq,” said Chief Darlene Bernard, Chief of Lennox Island First Nation and co-chair of MCPEI Board of Directors.

“This report and its 30 recommendations will help the Provincial Government and all stakeholders develop a heritage strategy that we can all be proud of. Minister Carolyn Bertram deserves much of the credit for undertaking a long term, sustainable approach to protecting and preserving our Island’s history.”

MCPEI, in partnership with Parks Canada, is in the process of completing a feasibility study of its own to outline the most effective way of preserving and displaying artifacts from Mi’kmaq history. Chief Brian Francis, Chief of Abegweit First Nation and co-chair of MCPEI Board of Directors, said the two reports can work hand in hand.

“We realized we needed a location to prominently display the artifacts of our past. With the announcement of a central museum and a commitment to greater involvement from the Aboriginal community, we feel that our proud history will soon be properly shared with all of Prince Edward Island,” said Chief Francis.

Planning for a new museum as well as enacting the key recommendations of the report will take some time, but MCPEI is excited about playing a prominent role in that process.

For more information, contact:
Dennis King
Director of Communications
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island
(902) 367-3660 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (902) 367-3660 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
dking@mcpei.ca