A number of Central Alberta organizations and individuals were recognized through the provincial government's 2024 Heritage Awards.
Presented every two years, the Heritage Awards recognize the people, organizations and communities that are actively engaged in heritage promotion, protection and preservation. Awards are bestowed in three categories: Heritage Awareness, Heritage Conservation and Outstanding Achievement. This year’s awards presentation was held in Edmonton on Thursday.
Clearwater County received an award for Heritage Awareness for the Nordegg Discovery Centre Renewal Project.
"Clearwater County revitalized the Nordegg Discovery Centre into a dynamic community and visitor hub. This was achieved through building repairs and installation of new exhibits reimagined through archival research, oral history and broad-based dialogue with residents, local historians, artists and the Stoney Nakoda Nations," details the award recipients page on the government's website.
"The project organizers did an excellent job of integrating Indigenous language and cultural elements into the final product. The facility renewal stands out for its vision, innovative engagement process and contribution to a regional community and tourism development initiative around the historic townsite, coal mine and hamlet of Nordegg."
Shari Peyerl, of Sundre, also received the Heritage Awareness Award for her book Alberta's Cornerstone: Archaeological Adventures in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
The Lacombe Heritage Resources Committee received a Heritage Conservation Award for the Lacombe Heritage Survey and Designation Program. The Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society received the same award for the Buttermaker’s House Restoration Project in Markerville.
The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Red Deer and Innisfail's Donna Nelson received awards for Outstanding Achievement.
Nelson has served as president, vice-president and director on organizations like Vonin, the Stephan G. Stephansson Society and the Icelandic National League of North America for more than four decades.
"She is behind a range of projects in the Markerville area including developing the heritage signs and the provincial sign along the river near Markerville, restoring the Markerville Lutheran Church, documenting the graves at the Tindastoll Cemetery and organizing the Islendingamot Icelandic Day celebrations. Donna remains to be a strong and passionate driving force in the preservation and interpretation of the history of Markerville," the government's website details.
A total of 97 awards have been presented to recipients from across the province since the program rebooted in 2005.
Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir said there are "dedicated Albertans" keeping stories of people, places and events in the province's history alive.
“We are glad to have the opportunity to honour the Albertans who work passionately, often as volunteers, on conservation and awareness of Alberta’s heritage. Their commitment will help ensure that our stories continue to be told and remembered for many years to come,” said Fir.
