|
June 22, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YALE — It’s only fitting
that a community with deep historical roots has a stump at centre stage
for its July 1 celebrations.
And it’s even more fitting
that the headline performer at Yale’s Canada Day in the Canyon is
the Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Iona Campagnolo. Her Honour
will stand atop the sawed-off platform to give the same “stump speech”
delivered by Gov. James Douglas to a crowd of over 10,000 people in
1858, the height of the Fraser River gold rush.
The dramatic recreation of
this pivotal moment in modern B.C. history is the centerpiece of a day
of celebrations featuring music, street theatre and living heritage
that previews celebrations to come in 2008.
“BC150 will shine a spotlight
on the rich history of this province,” said Tourism, Sport and the
Arts Minister Stan Hagen. “Governor James Douglas’ 1858 speech was
an important moment in B.C.’s history, and I’m delighted that her
Honour the Lieutenant Governor will be delivering the ‘Stump Speech’
in Yale on Canada Day.”
BC150 is a celebration of the
150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of
British Columbia in 1858. Every community in B.C. is invited to
participate in this year-long celebration of B.C.’s cultural diversity,
community strength and widespread achievement.
The Lieutenant Governor’s
speech will be the high point of an afternoon of festivities that includes
music by performers like up-and-coming B.C. singer Hayley Sales, whose
hit, “What You Want” is in the top 10 AC Canadian charts. First
Nations performers like the Siska Dancers will also take to the main
stage.
The event runs from 3-8:30
p.m. July 1, with games and entertainment throughout the day as guests,
visitors, locals and government representatives celebrate Yale's importance
to B.C. and Canada. Her Honour will arrive by train from Agassiz at
6:00 p.m.
With street performers recreating
some of the colourful characters from B.C.’s past, gold panning for
the kids, storytellers, and historic walking and zodiac tours for all
ages, the July 1 festival has something for everyone.
It’s the first celebration
organized by the New Pathways To Gold Society (NPTGS), a community-based
organization dedicated to continued reconciliation with First Nations,
investment in B.C. heritage and economic development. The society is
funded by BC150 and is working in partnership with the Yale First Nation,
the Yale and District Historical Society and local residents and businesses.
NPTGS Co-chair, Lytton First
Nation Chief Byron Spinks, says the celebrations bring native and non-native
communities closer together.
“Sharing our stories and
our cultures helps the reconciliation process and creates a better understanding
between First Nations and other communities,” says Spinks. “Everyone
benefits when we work together towards a common goal.”
A significant milestone in
B.C. history, 2008 marks the 200th anniversary of Simon Fraser’s
journey downriver, assisted by the First Nations, and the 150th
anniversary of the Fraser River gold rush and subsequent proclamation
of B.C. as a Crown colony.
The NPTGS gratefully acknowledges
the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through BC150,
a Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts initiative. For more information
on BC150 events and programs, please visit www.bc150.gov.bc.ca/bc150.
For more information, please contact:
Don Hauka, Communications/Creative Director
Email: ddclauka@shaw.ca
Telephone: 604-524-1884
|
