Ceilidh Marlow is the Executive Director for Tourism Prince Rupert
PRINCE GEORGE – Over $830,000 in Federal funding was recently announced by Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan). Six projects throughout the Skeena-bulkley Valley will receive the financial support from PacifiCan funding through the Tourism Relief Fund.
Among these projects, the Tluu Xaada Naay Society will receive $156,000 for the construction of a woodcarving area to showcase Haida artisan works to visitors to the Tluu Xaada Naay Longhouse in Haida Gwaii. In another project, Tourism Prince Rupert will receive $130,000 for the design, production and installation of new welcome and wayfinding signage in Prince Rupert. The signage will feature Sm’algyax language and the work of local Indigenous artists.
“Tourism Prince Rupert is grateful to PacifiCan for the support with our welcome and wayfinding project. This project will allow for the inclusion of Ts’msyen art and Sm’algyax language in our official community welcome signs, as well as our downtown wayfinding signage. This will have far-reaching positive implications for both visitors & locals, helping to interpret the vibrant and diverse culture of Prince Rupert,” said Ceilidh Marlow, Executive Director for Tourism Prince Rupert.
Projects like these help communities and businesses across British Columbia welcome visitors from near and far, improve community wellness, create jobs, and grow the local economy. Communities benefiting from the announcement are Granisle, Masset, Prince Rupert, Hagensborg, Bella Coola and Terrace.
Throughout the Skeena-Bulkley Valley in British Columbia, communities are ready to welcome residents and visitors to enjoy new and improved public
The funding announcement builds on the November, 2022 opening of PacifiCan offices in Prince George, Prince Rupert and Fort St. John. With officers living and providing service in the North, PacifiCan is more accessible and can better support businesses and communities.
“PacifiCan funding will help us build a new woodcarving space that will be a great addition to the authentic Haida cultural experiences currently offered. This new area will provide the space and modern equipment for local Haida artisans to work on carvings that use offcuts of wood that would otherwise go to waste. This way we can use every part of our precious cedar trees. This will enable us to offer travelers handcrafted artwork that helps them to remember their time on Haida Gwaii,” said Kihlyahda Christian White, renowned Haida artist and Chair of the Tluu Xaada Naay Society.
PacifiCan opened offices in Prince George, Prince Rupert and Fort St. John on November 17, 2022 to serve businesses and communities across Northern BC.
Tourism Relief Fund
Bella Coola Heli Sports Inc.
$99,999
Funding will help expand staff housing facilities to support Bella Coola Heli Sports Inc.’s future business growth.
Bella Coola Valley Tourism
$27,200
Funding will go towards a revamped visitor guide, an enhanced website and upgraded social media and digital presence to support tourism to Bella Coola.
Firvale Wilderness Lodge Ltd.
$41,846
Funding will support adding a new water filtration system and new and upgraded septic systems to camping domes at Firvale Wilderness Lodge in Hagensborg, B.C.
Tluu Xaada Naay Society (Masset)
$156,000
Funding will go towards constructing a woodcarving area to showcase Haida artisan works to visitors to the Tluu Xaada Naay Longhouse in Haida Gwaii. This investment is expected to create 13 new jobs and showcase Haida culture to thousands of visitors each year.
Tourism Prince Rupert
$130,000
Funding will support the design, production and installation of new welcome and wayfinding signage in Prince Rupert. The signage will feature Indigenous Sm’algyax language and the work of local Indigenous artists. This investment will support growing the local tourism economy.
Village of Granisle
$375,000
Funding will go towards upgrading the existing dock infrastructure at the Granisle marina. This investment is expected to lead to a minimum 15% increase in domestic tourist visits to the marine facility in 2023.
Business Examiner Staff
