Jason Unrau
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 11, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The territorial government hopes a modest pool of cash will help promote historic sites in the territory.

The posted deadline for seven available NWT Historic Places grants up to $10,000 each is July 10, although Ella Stinson of Education, Culture and Employment, says two of the grants have already been decided.

"Whalers Grave at Balaena Bay in Cape Parry and the second is the Anglican Church in Tulita," Stinson told Yellowknifer.

Mark Heyck, city councillor and member of Yellowknife's Heritage Committee, said the city has accessed similar funding in the past to update its walking tour maps.

"It can't be used to fix up the Wildcat (Café) or something like that, the funding focuses on educational tools and promotion of heritage sites," said Heyck. "So we may look at accessing funding to create further educational material for other sites around town."

Including the Wildcat Café, the city has designated eight other buildings Yellowknife heritage sites. These are the Canadian Pacific Float Base, Weaver and Devore Store, Hudson Bay warehouse, Back Bay Cemetery, Fireweed Studio, Old Log School House, Bank of Toronto Building and the downtown Post Office.

Heyck added that the committee is looking at recommending the Gold Range and old woodstove shop where Squatterz Books and Curiosities used to be as future heritage sites.

Rachel Crapeau, Yellowknives Dene land and environment manager, said the money involved in the NWT Historic Places grants is not enough to make applying worthwhile.

"We need more money to protect (our sites) not write histories," she said. "We've already done that."

The area of Drybones Bay is of special significance due to its importance as a hunting ground for generations of Dene and because of burial grounds in the vicinity.

According to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Museum, 140 archeological sites have been identified there.