This year the Province is honouring 58 student participants and their history-based projects at the Royal B.C. Museum during the sixth annual Provincial Heritage Fair in Victoria, July 4-8, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The selected participants - students in grades 4-10 - took part in regional heritage fairs in May in 12 communities throughout B.C. The students and their projects are selected based on their excellence in research, insight and presentation and are invited to represent their region at the Provincial Heritage Fair held each year in July. Projects can be related to any aspect of Canadian history that interests the student.

The 58 participants were welcomed by First Nations dancers and singers at the First Peoples House on the University of Victoria campus and were also able to visit historic sites including Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse, Ross Bay Cemetery, Chinatown and the Legislative Buildings.

The Heritage Fairs Program is designed to increase awareness and interest in Canadian history. The provincial government has been a supporter of the program for over 16 years and is providing $15,000 this year to help with the continued engagement of youth in Canada's past and to provide an opportunity to everyone to learn more about different aspects of Canadian history and culture.

For a list of the 2013 Provincial Heritage Fair participants and project names see the attached backgrounder.

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thomson -

"Engaging young people and increasing their interest in our history is an important step in keeping the ties alive between our past, present and future, since our past helps shape our future."

Michael Gurney, president, BC Heritage Fairs Society -

"Heritage Fairs are more than original research and student presentations. They are a catalyst for dialogue between past and present, between students and adults, and between youth from all parts of British Columbia."

"The ongoing support of the Province of BC and other vital sponsors has enabled the development of young leaders in heritage. These leaders are enriching their communities and building a stronger province by vigorously reminding us - and challenging us - about what it means to be Canadian."

Quick Facts:

• Each year approximately 5,000 students and 700 volunteers participate in 12 regional heritage fairs throughout B.C.

• Regional heritage fair projects can range in topic from genealogical history, famous Canadians, history of a home, landmark, community, province or even totem poles, just to name a few.

• B.C.'s museums, historic buildings, structures and cultural landscapes attract visitors from around the globe.

• Past Provincial Heritage Fairs have been hosted in Kamloops, Barkerville and Abbotsford.

Learn More:

Heritage Branch: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/heritage/

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261

BACKGROUNDER

2013 Provincial Heritage Fair participants

Alberni Valley Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANT PROJECT TITLE

Daniel Marriott William Hemmings Cook
Tanisha Kozlowski Alberni District Fall Fair
Seth Price Freedom Highway
Katherine Lyster The Secrets of Camp X
Madeline MacLean Maple Syrup
Samantha Rae Harris Unsung Hero: The story of Dr. John Rae

Fraser Valley Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANT PROJECT TITLE

Andrew Williams-Turner Samahquam First Nation: My Mom
Hailey Keating Edmund Fitzgerald
Taylor Kyte Dianne Foster
Lukas Wacker Jacques Plante - The Story Behind the Mask
Isaac Douglas Charlie's Tree

Kamloops/Thompson Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANT PROJECT TITLE

Annika Wadlegger Captain James Cook
Madison Kerslake 4-H over the Century
Gabriel Rowe The War of 1812-Famous Heroes and Great Victories
Lindsay Mierau Memorial Arena
Emily Vasquez Barbara Ann Scott

Northern Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANT PROJECT TITLE

Cassidy Reschke The Cowboy Life of Douglas Thompson
Henry Kehl Herbert Kehl
Zackary Eddy-Deitner Rider Nation
Brooklyn Howard O'Canada
Jade Rowe Canadian Parliament Buildings

Northwest Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANT PROJECT TITLE

Myah Bowal Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
Michael Munday The Terrace Mutiny
Nicole Lofroth Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Sebastian Heron First Nations Art - Tlingit
Morgyn Budden Newfoundland & Labrador

Okanagan Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANT PROJECT TITLE

Adam Dachwitz The Kelowna Creamery and the History of the Milk Industry in B.C.
Kevin Jacklin Daredevils at Niagara Falls
Nathan Birch Immigration
Jakob von Andria The Bank Raid of New Hazelton
Anjali Kiran Apple Orchard

Prince George Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANT PROJECT TITLE

Andrew Schulz Choices, chances and Changes
Tyler Slaney Cape Spear
Marie-Eve Lavoie Trapping: an age old legacy
Josiah Fisher The "Pig War": Malleable
Lilly Simes A Pioneer's Dream

Richmond Delta Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANT PROJECT TITLE

Hillary Nelson A Vision of Tomorrow
Tristen Wong Blood & Iron
Jonathan Bridson La Conserverie Monstre
Jolie Leung The Chinese Immigrant Act
Anisha Gill Komagata Maru

Rivers to Sea Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANT PROJECT TITLE

Lucas Hung Voyageurs
Jordyn Kean Ethlyn Trapp
Michelle Yuen My Story: Learning a New Language
Ana Mramor NWSS

Sea-to-Sky Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANTS PROJECT TITLE

Aydan (Maggie) Moroz Phyllis Munday
Jenna Ramji How did the Hudson's Bay Company Shape Canada
Jack Coyne Tracks of Prosperity
Fiona Mak Phyllis Munday - Mountaineer
Claire Bobert The Neon Lights of Vancouver

South Vancouver Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANTS PROJECT TITLE

Sara Owen-Flood The Commonwealth - An Imperfect Solution to A Complex Problem
Sean Lider Wilfred G. Bigelow - The Lifesaver

Vancouver Regional Heritage Fair

PARTICIPANTS PROJECT TITLE

Emily Mittertreiner Search of the Northwest
Ho-Young Jung Freedom of Canada
Luke Mantle Explosion: Une bonne idée?
Jessica Wong The New Language of Canada
Bryan Shum War of 1812
Dexter Chaisson Canadian Superheroes

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261