The 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017: Make Way for Inspiring Works!

CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwired - Aug. 10, 2016) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Randy Boissonnault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre), on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced $1.5 million in funding to the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust for its Canada-wide Signature project "Dreamcatcher."

With support from the Canada 150 Fund, the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust will engage youth from across the country to create a new musical inspired by their dreams for Canada's future. Around 20 young professional artists, who reflect the country's cultural diversity, will be cast. Participants will meet an Indigenous artist who will speak to them about the symbolic importance of dreamcatchers in Indigenous culture. Miniature dreamcatchers will be created and integrated into an immense dreamcatcher that will be on display in Charlottetown in 2017.

To make 2017 a memorable year of celebrations for all Canadians, the Government of Canada will continue to invest in Canada-wide, regional and local projects.

The 150^th anniversary of Confederation gives Canadians the opportunity to get involved in their communities and to celebrate together our shared values, our achievements, our majestic environment and our country's place in the world.

There are fewer than 150 days to go until the start of 2017, so the countdown is on.

The Government is inviting Canadians everywhere to be part of the Canada 150 countdown as we prepare for a year of celebration. They are being asked to tell what makes them proud to be Canadian, and how they will celebrate.

Everyone is invited to share their story on social media using the #Canada150 hashtag.

Quick Facts

• The Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust is a non-profit organization that owns and operates the Confederation Centre of the Arts, a national cultural centre located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
• The Centre's mandate is to inspire Canadians to celebrate the creative vision of Confederation and Canada's evolving nationhood through heritage and the arts
• The Government of Canada's vision for the 150^th anniversary of Confederation includes four major themes: diversity and inclusiveness, the environment, youth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Celebrations that bring people together and inspire them will be held to highlight these themes.
• The Canada 150 Fund, established in April 2015, has an overall budget of $210 million.

Quotes

"The 150^th anniversary of Confederation provides Canadians with the opportunity to strengthen the ties that unite them and to reflect on the legacy they wish to leave to future generations. The Dreamcatcher project encourages young Canadians to share their vision for the nation's future through an original musical that reflects our cultural diversity."

- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"With this project, young people will have the opportunity to share how they envision Canada's future. I encourage all Canadians to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of Confederation by learning more about their history while keeping an optimistic eye to the future. This is the true meaning of dreamcatchers."

- Randy Boissonnault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre)

"On behalf of the Board of Directors and all staff, we are thrilled for the 2017 Confederation Centre Young Company to hit the national stage to celebrate the dreams of our nation's founders and those of Canadian youth with this Canada-wide tour and original musical theatre project. Since 1993, the Young Company has served as a showcase and training ground for Canada's brightest young stars of music and theatre. Continuing Confederation Centre's long history of national touring, the Dreamcatcher Initiative will seize the momentum of Canada's sesquicentennial and engage young people from every province and territory, channeling their bold hopes and dreams for our nation's future."

- Jessie Inman, Chief Executive Officer, Confederation Centre of the Arts

Associated Links

Canada 150

Canada 150 Fund

Confederation Centre of the Arts

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