September 8, 2008
For immediate release
TORONTO – The Ontario Heritage Trust is seeking nominations of youth aged 18 and under for its 2008 Young Heritage Leaders program. The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 31, 2008.
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 preserving, protecting and promoting local heritage.
"Engaging youth in conservation is critical to ensuring the future of our heritage," said The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "Through Young Heritage Leaders, we are proud to have recognized more than 3,300 young people for their contributions to preserving Ontario's heritage."
The 2008 Young Heritage Leaders program guidelines and nomination form are available here. Individuals and project groups are eligible for nomination in the categories of built, cultural and natural heritage conservation. Nominees to the program will also be considered for the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award, which recognizes the most exceptional groups in each category and the most outstanding individual nominee across all categories.
"I encourage schools and communities to take this opportunity to recognize young heritage volunteers who help preserve, protect and promote Ontario's heritage," said Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture. "They play a very important role in preserving our heritage for future generations and helping to maintain the economic development that is attracted to and sustained by unique heritage assets."
Once again, 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 most outstanding individual nominee. The scholarship is funded by the Ontario Heritage Trust and through The Key to GivingTM – the national corporate citizenship program of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. Through The Key to Giving, the companies contribute to non-profit, charitable and community organizations across the country to address health and wellness, education, social services, arts and culture, and civic initiatives. The Key to Giving program also supports the volunteer involvement of staff and financial security advisers in their efforts to meet the needs of the communities in which they live and work.
"We're pleased to continue our support of the Ontario Heritage Trust's Young Heritage Leaders, and to help further the education of a promising young community leader," 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 essential 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 individuals and our communities."
To submit a Young Heritage Leaders nomination, education, community, youth and heritage groups should contact their local council or school. Nominations must be endorsed by the mayor, reeve, warden, regional chair, chief, council president or principal. Examples of voluntary activities eligible for recognition 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 cultural diversity, including First Nations, Métis, Franco-Ontarian heritage or others.
The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's built, cultural and natural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.
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Contacts:
Catrina Colme
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Ontario Heritage Trust
Telephone: 416-325-5074
E-mail: catrina.colme@heritagetrust.on.ca
Marlene Klassen
Assistant Vice-President, Communications
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
Telephone: 204-946-7705
E-mail: marlene.klassen@gwl.ca  | 
