Medicine Hat, Alberta – Department of Canadian Heritage

LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat), today announced continued support for the History in the Hills Festival. He made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $6,000 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program of the Department of Canadian Heritage to support the 11th edition of the History in the Hills Festival.

The annual festival will run from May 25 to 27, 2014, in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Alberta. The History in the Hills Society will create an outdoor venue that allows visitors to engage and connect with First Nations cultural traditions, including an archaeological dig site, hide-tanning demonstrations, bannock making, and elder storytelling.

Quick Facts

• The History in the Hills Society is a local, incorporated, non-profit organization that promotes the First Nations culture and history of the area around Medicine Hat.
• The Festival is an annual production that takes place at the archaeological dig site at Elkwater Lake in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.
• Founded in 2002 by First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education program coordinator Deb Lloyd and University of Calgary archaeologist Gerry Oetelaar, the History in the Hills Festival stems from the former Native Awareness Week and has grown to become a popular festival among residents and students in Southern Alberta.

Quotes

“Organizations like the History in the Hills Society allow Canadians from all walks of life to connect with First Nations and Métis traditions and culture. I encourage residents of Medicine Hat and the surrounding areas to discover and experience First Nations and Métis life through the hands-on demonstrations and historic storytelling.”
—The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage Minister and Official Languages

“Thanks to the many volunteers who dedicate countless hours planning and organizing, I know that this year’s History in the Hills Festival will be a success.” 
—LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat)

“For over 10 years, History in the Hills Society has provided an educational event that has touched the lives of hundreds of participants. Set in the majestic Cypress Hills, a tipi and trapper tent encampment is set up with authentic artisans providing interpretations from every Aboriginal group that has a history in the park. Set in a valley next to the archaeology site that gives evidence to over 8000 years of Aboriginal life at that site, the production provides valuable education to community, schools, and professional staff. The Society is grateful for assistance from Canadian Heritage.”
—Deborah Lloyd, President, History in the Hills Society