Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Kluane National Park Visitor Centre and the Dä Kų Cultural Centre

August 26, 2011
Haines Junction, Yukon

On August 26, 2011, Prime Minister Harper visited the joint construction site of the new Kluane National Park Visitor Centre and the Dä Kų Cultural Centre in Haines Junction, Yukon. Both centres are located on traditional Champagne and Aishihik First Nations traditional land near Kluane National Park. The visitor centre, which will be housed in the cultural centre, is expected to be completed next spring, with an official opening planned for June 21, 2012, on National Aboriginal Day.

Visitor Centre

The Kluane National Park Visitor Centre will include both the Government of Yukon and Parks Canada tourism centres, offering a wide range of visitor services, such as insight into the park's natural and cultural history – including the history and culture of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations – as well as information on hiking and other activities. The new Parks Canada visitor centre will employ 8 individuals.

To develop the visitor centre, the Government of Canada is investing up to $5 million over two years (2009-2011) under the Economic Action Plan's Improving Parks Canada's National Historic Sites and Visitor Facilities program.

Cultural Centre

The Dä Kų Cultural Centre will display and help preserve the traditions, languages and arts of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and act as a gathering place for the community.
The Government of Canada and the Yukon Government each contributed $4 million over three years (2009-2012) towards the construction of the cultural centre through Infrastructure Canada's Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund program.

The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations financed the remaining costs of the joint facility by obtaining investments on their own and through lease agreements with the Government of Yukon and Parks Canada. The total project value is expected to exceed $14 million.

Benefits

Both centres are expected to provide broad economic and social development opportunities for the Haines Junction region, strengthen First Nations culture, and contribute to the health and well-being of the community.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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