Clearwater County and officials with the Nordegg Discovery Centre (NDC) have been formally recognized for their contributions in preserving Alberta’s history with a 2024 Alberta Heritage Awareness Award.
The Heritage Awards, which are presented every two years, 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 on Sept. 26 in Edmonton at the Queen Elizabeth II Building.
Matt Martinson, director of agricultural services for Clearwater County says the organization is proud to be receiving the award, as the NDC’s aim was to indeed deepen the understanding of the cultural and historic aspects around the Brazeau Collieries coal mine in Nordegg.
Martinson adds the project has been received favorably since opening earlier in 2024.
Coal mining exhibit inside the Nordegg Discovery Centre (Clearwater County)
“Across the province, dedicated Albertans are keeping the stories of the people, places and events in our history alive,” says Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. “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.”
The 2024 recipients are:
Heritage Awareness
- Beaver Hills Biosphere Region Association for the Beaver Hills Biosphere Video Project
- Clearwater County for the Nordegg Discovery Centre Renewal Project
- YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre for The Rogues’ Gallery
- Kyle Schole for the North Saskatchewan River (kisiskâciwani-sîpiy) Canadian Heritage River Designation Project
- Chief Sydney Lee Halcrow & Chief Roderick Willier for Oti Nekan – Treaty No. 8 125th Anniversary Celebration
- Sheri Peyerl for the book Alberta’s Cornerstone: Archaeological Adventures in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
Heritage Conservation
- Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society for the Buttermaker’s House Restoration Project
- Sexsmith & District Museum Society for the Alberta Wheat Pool Grain Elevator Preservation Project
- Lacombe Heritage Resources Committee for the Lacombe Heritage Survey and Designation Program
- Dr. Peter Dawson for the Digitally Preserving Alberta’s Diverse Cultural Heritage Project
Outstanding Achievement
- Crowsnest Historical Society, Coleman
- Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Red Deer
- Dr. France Levasseur-Ouimet, Edmonton
- Karen Copley, Airdrie
- Donna Nelson, Innisfail
Officials with the Nordegg Discovery Centre and Clearwater County have received the 2024 Alberta Heritage Awareness Award. (Clearwater County)
The Heritage Awards program reflects Alberta’s commitment to heritage preservation throughout Alberta, say officials.
A total of 97 awards have been presented to recipients from across the province since the program rebooted in 2005.
2022 winners included Powwow! Ohcîwin the Origins by the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3 historical research by Matt Hiltermann, and Abandoned Alberta, a book of photographs of abandoned buildings throughout the province by Edmonton photographer, Joe Chowaniec.
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