November 9, 2006
For immediate release
TORONTO – The Ontario Heritage Trust is seeking nominations of youth aged 18 and under for its 2006 Young Heritage Leaders program. The deadline for nominations is Friday, December 22, 2006.
Through this annual program, municipal councils, regional councils, First Nation band councils, Métis community councils and schools can recognize local youth for significant voluntary contributions to built, cultural or natural heritage preservation in their communities.
"Our young people are the heritage champions of the future," said The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "By celebrating Young Heritage Leaders who have demonstrated passion and commitment to preserving our heritage, we hope to encourage youth to continue supporting heritage conservation in years to come."
Examples of voluntary activities eligible for recognition through the Young Heritage Leaders program include: volunteering at a museum, historical site, conservation area or parkland; developing exhibits, collections, websites or publications about local history; fundraising or hands-on work to support the restoration of a heritage building; participating in historical re-enactments or archaeological digs; preserving natural heritage sites or heritage gardens; and involvement in activities that preserve or promote First Nations, Métis or Franco-Ontarian heritage.
"The Young Heritage Leaders program fosters volunteerism, promotes community involvement and builds a sense of local pride," said Ontario Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco. "I encourage schools and local governments to take this opportunity to recognize young people across Ontario who are working to strengthen and enrich our communities."
Again this year, the Ontario Heritage Trust and the program sponsors – Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life – will award a $2,000 scholarship for post-secondary education to the young person who demonstrates outstanding leadership in preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.
"We're pleased to continue our support of the Ontario Heritage Trust's Young Heritage Leaders recognition program," said Jan Belanger, Assistant Vice-President, Community Affairs for Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. "Recognizing and encouraging the achievements of young people is important to helping them foster their leadership skills, now and for the future. We're proud to support this type of initiative: one that has a sustained, positive impact on our communities."
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life together serve the financial security needs of 12 million people across Canada. Through their national program for corporate citizenship, the Key to GivingTM, the companies contribute directly to hundreds of non-profit and charitable organizations across the country.
The 2006 Young Heritage Leaders program guidelines and nomination form are available here. Both individuals and project groups are eligible for nomination in the categories of built, cultural and natural heritage. Education, youth and heritage groups should contact their local council or school about proposed nominations, which must be endorsed by the chair, mayor, reeve, warden, chief, council president or principal.
Last year, over 145 youth from across the province were honoured through the Young Heritage Leaders program. Since the program was introduced in 2000, more than 2,700 young people have been recognized for their local heritage preservation activities.
This program complements the Ontario Heritage Trust's successful Heritage Community Recognition Program, which recognizes adult volunteers for their heritage conservation efforts. The Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.
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Contact:
Catrina Colme
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Ontario Heritage Trust
Telephone: 416-325-5074
E-mail: catrina.colme@heritagetrust.on.ca
Or
Marlene Klassen
Director, Media and Public Relations
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
Telephone: 204-946-7705
E-mail: marlene.klassen@gwl.ca  | 
