(Gov't of Alberta)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Central Albertans among 16 recipients of 2024 provincial Heritage Awards

Sep 27, 2024 | 5:05 PM

Sixteen Albertans, including a few from central Alberta, are recipients of 2024 Heritage Awards, from the Government of Alberta.

“Across the province, dedicated Albertans are keeping the stories of the people, places and events in our history alive,” says Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women.

:We are glad to have the opportunity to honour the Albertans who work passionately, often as volunteers, on conservation and awareness of Alberta’s heritage. Their commitment will help ensure that our stories continue to be told and remembered for many years to come.”

Heritage Awareness

• Beaver Hills Biosphere Region Association for the Beaver Hills Biosphere Video Project
• Clearwater County for the Nordegg Discovery Centre Renewal Project
• YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre for The Rogues’ Gallery
• Kyle Schole for the North Saskatchewan River (kisiskâciwani-sîpiy) Canadian Heritage River Designation Project
• Chief Sydney Lee Halcrow & Chief Roderick Willier for Oti Nekan – Treaty No. 8 125th Anniversary Celebration
• Sheri Peyerl for the book Alberta’s Cornerstone: Archaeological Adventures in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park

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Heritage Conservation

• Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society for the Buttermaker’s House Restoration Project
• Sexsmith & District Museum Society for the Alberta Wheat Pool Grain Elevator Preservation Project
• Lacombe Heritage Resources Committee for the Lacombe Heritage Survey and Designation Program
• Dr. Peter Dawson for the Digitally Preserving Alberta’s Diverse Cultural Heritage Project

Outstanding Achievement

• Crowsnest Historical Society, Coleman
• Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Red Deer
• Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet, Edmonton
• Karen Copley, Airdrie
• Donna Nelson, Innisfail

Nordegg Discovery Centre Renewal Project – Clearwater County

Clearwater County revitalized the Nordegg Discovery Centre into a dynamic community and visitor hub. This was achieved through building repairs and installation of new exhibits reimagined through archival research, oral history and broad-based dialogue with residents, local historians, artists and the Stoney Nakoda Nations. The project organizers did an excellent job of integrating Indigenous language and cultural elements into the final product. The facility renewal stands out for its vision, innovative engagement process and contribution to a regional community and tourism development initiative around the historic townsite, coal mine and hamlet of Nordegg.

Buttermaker’s House, Markerville Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society – Markerville

The Buttermaker’s House on Markerville was built in 1913 and designated as a Provincial Historic Resource in 2019. The Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society completed its fiveyear restoration and celebrated its grand opening as an Artist Residence in September 2023. Restoration work included foundation repairs, interior and exterior repainting, removal of asbestos, re-insulation and staging of the space with period furniture and furnishings. This project is an excellent example of a dedicated non-profit society that led the restoration of a historic building into a community gathering place.

Donna Nelson, Innisfail

For over more than four decades, Donna Nelson has served as president, vice-president and director on organizations like Vonin, the Stephan G. Stephansson Society and the Icelandic National League of North America. She is behind a range of projects in the Markerville area including developing the heritage signs and the provincial sign along the river near Markerville, restoring the Markerville Lutheran Church, documenting the graves at the Tindastoll Cemetery and organizing the Islendingamot Icelandic Day celebrations. Donna remains to be a strong and passionate driving force in the preservation and interpretation of the history of Markerville.

Lacombe Heritage Survey and Designation Program – Lacombe Heritage Resources Committee

Lacombe’s heritage survey and designation initiatives, led by the Lacombe Heritage Resources Committee, are a continuation of a long, sustained effort to document and protect the built heritage of the City. The most recent milestones include an update to the 2010 Municipal Heritage Survey and Inventory completed in 2023 and the designation of three buildings in the past year. The Committee also assists owners through modest grants and a Maintenance Plan project that will provide tools to owners on how to properly care for their heritage properties. The committee is an excellent example of the way in which a municipality leads the conservation of its historic resources.

Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum – Red Deer

The Alberta Amateur Sports Hall of Fame and Museum was formally established in 1957, with a focus on the recognition of outstanding amateur athletes in Alberta. Over the years, the institution has steadily built a collection of over 17,000 artifacts; established a permanent home in Red Deer that welcomes about 20,000 visitors per year; initiated a program of travelling exhibitions; and continued to recognize outstanding Alberta athletes, sport builders, media personnel, teams and pioneers. The museum has expanded its goals and activities to preserving and interpreting Alberta’s sports history while providing an excellent venue to experience and learn about a wide variety of sporting activities.

More recipient bios are here.

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