The New Pathways to Gold Society (NPTGS) has awarded at total of $10,000 to two projects that promote heritage tourism, First Nations reconciliation and Multiculturalism in the Gold Rush/Spirit Trails corridor. The two projects received $5,000 each under the NPTGS Small Projects Funding Program.

NPTGS Co-Chair Terry Raymond said the projects proposed by the two organizations meet the Society’s criteria of increasing economic development and enriching the cultural fabric of the Gold Rush/Spirit Trails corridor from Hope to Barkerville.

“We were very impressed by the caliber of both projects,” said Raymond. “We know these organizations have the track-record and capacity to deliver quality projects that will benefit the communities along the corridor.”

The two projects are:

  • The Friends of the Bouchie-Milburn Society ($5,000): Funding for the 4th annual Billie Bouchie Day celebrations. An inclusive community-based festival, it celebrates Metis community-builders William Walker (Billie) Bouchie and Lizette Allard Boucher, who were both born in Fort Alexandria near Quesnel. The festivities focus on the contributions of the Metis, First Nations and early settlers to the community of Bouchie Lake in the northern area of the Cariboo Regional District. Staged by volunteers from a coalition of non-profit organizations, the event will be held on the Bouchie Lake Recreation Grounds and includes First Nations dancing, Metis jiggers, music, demonstrations and displays.
  • Gold Rush Trails Marketing Video ($5,000): Funding the Gold Rush Trails Marketing’s “Storytellers along the Gold Rush Trail,” a series of 10-15 short videos that will feature stories told by local residents to enliven and enrich the spectacular landscapes in and around their communities. Indigenous and non-Indigenous stories will be told. Other partners in the project include the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Indigenous Tourism BC and Destination BC and the Province of British Columbia.

“We’re excited to support these projects, which will not only help to tell a more complete story of our shared history but will attract visitors into Gold Rush/Spirit Trails communities and help build local economies,” said NPTGS Indigenous Co-Chair Cheryl Chapman.

NPTGS dedicates $25,000 per year to these types of projects, with a $5,000 cap for each project. For details, please see the NPTGS Small Projects Funding Application Form in the Resources section of the Society’s website.

NPTGS is a non-profit organization committed to developing local economies in the Hope to Barkerville corridor through heritage tourism development, First Nations reconciliation and Multiculturalism. For more information, please visit the NPTGS website.

NPTGS gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.