Government Announces Provincial Support For York Boat Days Celebration
August 5, 2008
Norway House Cree Nation’s annual Treaty and York Boat Days celebration has once again received $10,000 in provincial support, Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson announced today.“The province is pleased to support the historic 35th annual Treaty and York Boat Days,” said Robinson.
The week-long celebration features cultural and sporting activities and events including the signature event, the York boat races. The historic York boats were 36-feet long and could carry up to 3,200 kilograms in goods. They were used extensively in the fur trade, travelling back and forth between Grand Rapids, Norway House, York Factory and other communities in northern Manitoba for more than a century. Each boat had a crew of six to eight men, working oars of six metres in length. The oars alone weighed about 11 kg.
Other events include canoe races, music performances, talent competitions and square dancing. Entertainers perform throughout the week, providing opportunities for people to gather, celebrate their cultural heritage and renew friendships.
“This gathering, which has been growing each year, honours the community’s rich history and continuing importance in northern Manitoba,” Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said today in Norway House. “I am delighted to attend and represent the province at this historic event.”
Funding for the Norway House Treaty and York Boat Days comes from the provincial Community Festivals Support Program. This program provides support to festivals that are signature annual events in communities across Manitoba. This year, the program is providing a total of $185,000 for 42 communities in the province.
More information about the Treaty and York Boat Days is available at:
www.nhcn.ca/yorkboatdays/index.html.
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