[Bcma-l] [Fwd: Public Grand Opening- We Are Métis]

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

-------- Original Message --------

news release

Okanagan Heritage Museum · 470 Queensway Ave · Kelowna, BC V1Y 6S7

(250) 763-2417 · info@kelownamuseums.ca

For Immediate Release

June 19, 2007

Okanagan heritgae museum opens new exhibition

we are Métis

Public grand opening

saturday, june 23

11:00am – 2:00pm

Kelowna, BC- The Okanagan Heritage Museum is holding a Public Grand 
Opening for its new exhibition, We Are Métis, on Saturday, June 23 from 
11:00am to 2:00pm. There will be an Artist’s Talk with Dennis Weber on 
the art of the Métis and what it means to be Métis, as well as hands-on 
children’s activities. All are welcome to attend and admission is by 
donation. Please call (250) 763-2417 for more information.

We Are Métis presents the story of the Métis nation through the visual 
arts, fine crafts, and music of the Métis people and features the work 
of local Métis artist Dennis Weber. Explore the rich history of one of 
Canada’s aboriginal people and discover the origins and history of this 
distinct nation.

“The Métis came to the Thompson/Okanagan region around 1810-1811 and 
established families in the area. They were indispensable members of the 
fur trade,” comments Gayle Liman, Associate Director, Exhibitions and 
Public Programming, “but by the 1860s they became largely invisible with 
the demise of the fur trade in Canada. However, they continued as a 
community in and around Kamloops.” There are just over 44,000 Métis in 
BC according to the Métis Nation BC, and almost 400,000 Métis in Canada.

We Are Métis opens on National Aboriginal Day, June 21, and runs through 
to December 6, 2007 Guided group visits are available on request by 
calling (250) 868-4836.

The Okanagan Heritage Museum is a facility of the Kelowna Museums, a 
non-profit and charitable society dedicated to a greater awareness of 
the agricultural, wine-producing, military, and cultural heritages of 
the Okanagan. The Okanagan Heritage Museum is located at 470 Queensway 
Avenue, corner of Ellis and Queensway in Kelowna’s Cultural District. 
Open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Admission is by 
donation. For more information please visit KelownaMuseums.ca

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Media Contact: Risti Nykiforuk

Marketing & Special Events Coordinator

Kelowna Museums

(250) 763-2417 ext 22

events@kelownamuseums.ca