VANCOUVER, BRITISH-COLUMBIA--(MARKET WIRE)--Nov 10, 2008 -- The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today met with Dr. Anthony Shelton, director of Vancouver's University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology. He also took the time to visit the museum's newly expanded site.

"I am delighted to see the progress made at the museum today," said Minister Moore. "The Government of Canada is proud to have contributed to the major expansion project that has helped extend the museum's role as both a public and a research institution. This expansion creates unprecedented opportunities for broad public access to research, teaching, and public enjoyment."

The Museum of Anthropology is Canada's largest teaching museum and is renowned for providing access and insight into the cultures of indigenous peoples around the world. Its mission is to investigate, preserve, and present objects and expressions of human creativity in order to promote understanding of and respect for world cultures. The Museum houses some 535,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects, many of which originate from the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. Massive totem poles, carved boxes, bowls, and feast dishes are featured in the Museum's Great Hall, while smaller pieces in gold, silver, argillite, wood, ceramic, and other materials are exhibited elsewhere in the galleries.

The Government of Canada supported the expansion under the Cultural Spaces Canada Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program supports cultural infrastructure projects that increase access for Canadians to the performing, visual, and media arts, and that improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation. Funding is also provided for the construction and renovation of arts and heritage facilities, for the purchase of specialized equipment, and for feasibility studies and projects to transform buildings into arts or heritage facilities.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.)

     Contacts:
     Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
     and Official Languages
     Deirdra McCracken
     Director of Communications
     819-997-7788
      
     Canadian Heritage
     Western Region
     Ginette Montreuil
     Regional Manager
     Policy and Communications
     604-666-6504