The North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Clearwater is a place for Métis, Inuit and Aboriginal peoples.
Cindy Wilgosh and other volunteers have worked very hard for the last nine years to build and grow the Centre.
This Centre was the brain child of Cindy (coordinator for Aboriginal Engagement Success by 6) who noticed a need for Aboriginal culture in the North Thompson Valley, and after receiving granting funds opened the Centre in 2009. The Centre is run by the North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre Society (NTACCS), a non-profit society formed in 2013, with Cindy as the executive director and an elected board of directors.
At the Centre, located on the flats on Clearwater Station Road, is a museum to learn about Aboriginal, Métis and the pioneers who made their home in the North Thompson Valley. The museum has artifacts and historical information set up in displays to learn about Aboriginal, Métis and pioneer culture with donated items from local people. The Centre is also a drop-in-centre for people to visit and share meals, with a pot-luck lunch taking place at least once a month with the NTACCS board of directors.
Workshops held at the Centre are taught by our local Simpcw elder Sam Saul, and others take place over the year to make aboriginal items such as drums, rattles, pine needle baskets and dream catchers. All providing community members with an opportunity to develop skills and to take home a handmade project.
The North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre gift shop is located at the Wells Grey Information Centre on the bottom floor and has wonderful items to purchase made by Aboriginal and Métis artisans. Funds collected from these consignments help keep the museum open.
NTACCS partners with other community organizations to put on events such as National Aboriginal Day, May Day parade, Louis Riel Day, and many other functions including the Canada Day 150 celebrations in Barriere this year. NTACCS also partners with Aboriginal Engagement Success by 6 to put on events such as Breakfast with Santa, the Baby Party, and other children’s events to include Aboriginal content so that every one of all ages can learn about Aboriginal culture.
Volunteers run and help the Centre raise money by selling the Clearwater Community Birthday calendar, putting on bingos and selling items through the gift shop. To help continue to keep the Centre open, the NTACCS board of directors continue to look for grants and partners.
Cindy and the board of directors have a vision to increase Aboriginal culture in the North Thompson Valley, but they can only do so with the support of more volunteer workers, and with support from the communities in the North Thompson.
We are always looking for people to become members of the NTACC Society, and everyone is welcome to come down to the Centre to visit and get to know what it is all about; and please check out the gift shop at the Information Centre.
To see more information about the North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre go to the website: www.aboriginalculture.ca.