History will soon be at the public’s fingertips, thanks to an employment-training program that supports the Haida Gwaii Museum’s archives.

The B.C. government’s Job Creation Partnership program is providing more than $14,000 to help up to two people gain hands-on work experience as archival assistants as they organize and upgrade the museum’s archival files. The assistants will also help develop a public space for viewing and accessing the museum’s rare collection of historical books, photographs and documents.

The project will help share the heritage of the first people of Haida Gwaii by providing public access to materials like oral histories and family records. A partnership between the Gwaalagaa Naay Corporation, Parks Canada, Heritage Canada, B.C. government and BC Arts Council, the project will also provide ongoing archival services to communities on Haida Gwaii.

The museum expects to host a community celebration to officially open the new archives in September 2015.

Job Creation Partnerships are part of the Employment Program of BC’s Community and Employer Partnerships, which fund projects that increase employability and share labour-market information. The Employment Program of BC is celebrating its third anniversary, having launched in April 2012.

To date, more than 700 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 150 projects have been funded throughout the province.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation -

“It’s rare to find employment opportunities that provide not only great hands-on experience, but deeply connect you to a community and place. This project will provide participants with unique skills while helping to build an important archival resource for the Haida Gwaii community.”

Scott Marsden, executive director, Haida Gwaii Museum -

“The Job Creation Program will provide the Haida Gwaii Museum with an important opportunity to train a community member in the areas of archives and archival management. The participant will gain invaluable hands-on work experience and learn practical skills in working in the managing of information for members of the community. This program will help the Haida Gwaii Museum create an important educational resource for community members on Haida Gwaii and create opportunities for partnerships at a regional level.”

Leah Sankey, program participant and archival assistant, Haida Gwaii Museum -

“I was extremely excited when the opportunity presented itself - I did not hesitate to apply when I learned a position was available with the Haida Gwaii Museum. I am very hopeful that this opportunity will lead into a new and interesting career path as an archivist.”

Lin Armstrong, Gwaalagaa Naay Corporation -

“The successful candidates will provide a much-needed service to the museum by organizing, storing and cataloguing the archives for public use. In return, the museum will provide mentoring and transferable skills development. The community will gain access to a valuable resource.”

Quick Facts:

• The Haida Gwaii Museum opened in 1976 and continues to build an international reputation for its outstanding collection of Haida historical objects, contemporary art, archives and natural history collections.
• Currently, the museum is housed in the Haida Heritage Centre, a state-of-the-art space built in 2007 at Kay Llnagaay or “Sea-Lion Town”, an ancient village site near Skidegate on Haida Gwaii.
• In 2015-16, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia as well as the Government of Canada through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint that helps align training and education with in-demand jobs and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market or who face unique challenges.
• Funding supports 84 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:   
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation

Who is eligible?

• Businesses
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Municipalities, Agencies or Territorial Governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public Health and Educational Institutions

Learn More:

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

For more information on the Haida Gwaii Museum: www.haidaheritagecentre.com

Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

Learn more about the Employment Programs of BC: http://www.sdsi.gov.bc.ca/programs/epbc/index.htm

For more information on B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

Media Contacts:

Maryann Anderson
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 387-6490