The New Pathways to Gold Society (NPTGS) has awarded a total of $10,000 to two projects that will help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and promote heritage tourism, First Nations reconciliation and Multiculturalism in the Gold Rush/Spirit Trails corridor. The projects received $5,000 each from the NPTGS Small Projects Funding Program.

“We’re excited to support these projects, which will add a new, multicultural heritage tourism attraction to the corridor and promote businesses and destinations hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NPTGS Indigenous Co-Chair Cheryl Chapman.

“There has been a tremendous impact on tourism all along the corridor and these projects are part of our province’s recovery as we move towards a post-pandemic economy.”

The two projects are:

  • District of Lillooet Japanese Canadian Internment Memorial Garden: In coordination with the Japanese Canadian Legacy Committee, the District will upgrade the East Lillooet Internment Memorial Garden to create a Japanese style rock garden. The project also includes a Heritage Circle E-Bike Tour offering guided interpretive tours of three local Japanese Canadian Heritage sites.
  • Gold Rush Trails Marketing ($5,000): At the request of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (which oversees the GRTM), NPTGS granted funds towards a COVID-19 Recovery Plan. This project will see the GRTM promote safe, responsible travel in the corridor as B.C. enters Phase Three of the BC Restart Plan. The campaign will use a combination of social media and stories posted to the GRT website to promote corridor businesses and attractions.

NPTGS Co-Chair Terry Raymond said the two projects 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.

“These two projects will help attract visitors back into Gold Rush/Spirit Trails communities and help rebuild local economies which have suffered during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Raymond.

“These two organizations have the track-record and capacity to deliver quality projects that will benefit communities all along the corridor.”

The NPTGS Small Projects Funding Program assists projects that match the Society’s goals of economic development through heritage tourism, First Nations reconciliation and Multiculturalism. 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.