Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
VICTORIA – This year the Province is honouring 58 student participants and their history-based projects at the Royal B.C. Museum during the sixth annual Provincial Heritage Fair in Victoria, July 4-8, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced recently.
The selected participants – students in grades 4-10 (including Raft River Elementary student Annika Wadlegger with her display about Captain James Cook) - took part in regional heritage fairs in May in 12 communities throughout B.C. The students and their projects are selected based on their excellence in research, insight and presentation and are invited to represent their region at the Provincial Heritage Fair held each year in July. Projects can be related to any aspect of Canadian history that interests the student.
The 58 participants were welcomed by First Nations dancers and singers at the First Peoples House on the University of Victoria campus and were also able to visit historic sites including Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse, Ross Bay Cemetery, Chinatown and the Legislative Buildings.
The Heritage Fairs Program is designed to increase awareness and interest in Canadian history. The provincial government has been a supporter of the program for over 16 years and is providing $15,000 this year to help with the continued engagement of youth in Canada’s past and to provide an opportunity to everyone to learn more about different aspects of Canadian history and culture.