TSIIGEHTCHIC, Northwest Territories, June 21, 2024

A functional space where Indigenous culture is shared and celebrated is important to the continued vitality of the community. It provides an economic boost to the community, is a gathering place for Elders, artists and residents, and becomes a destination for visiting artists and tourists. It ensures that traditional knowledge is accessible and passed down to future generations.

Today—on behalf of the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage—Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament (Northwest Territories), announced $209,800 in funding for the redevelopment and expansion of the existing Tsiigehtchic Tourist Centre into the new Gwichya Gwich’in Band Cultural Centre.

The capital project will connect two existing structures, creating an interior space that will be used for cultural programming and community activities. Improvements to the heating system will also enable the facility to operate year-round and provide the community with a dedicated space to gather and share traditional knowledge. The facility will operate as the Gwichya Gwich’in Band Cultural Centre and will house the local band office. It is expected to open in late fall 2024.

The existing tourist centre currently holds several important pieces of Nagwichoonjik heritage, including a replica skull of a 13,650-year-old steppe bison discovered in the community. In addition to historic artifacts, the collection includes traditional and contemporary objects by local artists, providing them with a space to display and sell their work.

Canadian Heritage funding, provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will support the construction of a winterized space that will connect the two existing structures. It will also fund the purchase and installation of a new furnace and additional display cases for artifacts.