Awards recognize heritage preservation efforts from across Alberta
Contributed
Albertans were honoured for their work preserving and promoting the province’s heritage at the 2022 Heritage Awards.
The biennial awards honour the contributions of individuals, organizations, businesses, Indigenous communities and municipalities actively engaged in heritage preservation and appreciation in the following categories: Outstanding Achievement, Heritage Conservation and Heritage Awareness.
The recipients of this year’s awards follow.
Outstanding Achievement
• Richard de Boer, Calgary
• Belinda Crowson, Lethbridge
• Noreen Easterbrook, Smoky Lake
• Tofield Historical Society, Tofield
• Alberta Genealogical Society’s Provincial Archives of Alberta Volunteers
• Bodo Archaeological Society
Heritage Conservation
• The City of Calgary for the rehabilitation of its historic city hall • Sandra Hajash for the restoration of the Duke of Sutherland Bungalow exterior
Heritage Awareness
• Powwow! Ohcîwin the Origins by Patrick and Marrisa Mitsuing and the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery
• Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3 Historical Research by Matt Hiltermann
• Abandoned Alberta by Joe Chowaniec
The awards program is an integral part of the Government of Alberta’s commitment to support heritage preservation efforts in communities throughout Alberta.
A total of 81 awards have been presented to recipients from across the province since the program was reintroduced in 2005.
Awards recipients
The outstanding efforts of Alberta’s ‘heritage heroes’ and the work of local organizations to preserve the province’s rich history were recognized on October 3.
2022 award recipients
Heritage Conservation Awards
Heritage Awareness Awards
Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3 Historical Research by Matt Hiltermann
Matt Hiltermann is a Métis Interpreter, artisan and ethonohistorian and currently works as the Public Historian for Region 3 of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Over the past two years, he has contributed four extensively researched, well-written and engaging articles for the RETROActive blog maintained by the department.
The blog is a source of Alberta-specific heritage information and stories.
Mr. Hiltermann’s posts have been some of the most popular blog post of the year and have greatly contributed to the understanding and interpretation of Métis heritage in Alberta. His involvement in publishing articles also helped strengthen the relationship between Alberta Culture and the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3.
Outstanding Achievement Awards
Bodo Archaeological Society
Formed in 2003, the Bodo Archaeological Society has been championing Alberta’s history through archaeology.
The society is one of the six centres of the Archaeological Society of Alberta and consists of local community members from the small communities of Bodo and Provost.
For nearly 20 years, the society has been fulfilling its mission of promoting public archaeology, education and the conservation of historical and archaeological resources at the Bodo archaeological sites. The society is best known for delivering extensive public archaeology and educational programs.
Alberta Genealogical Society Volunteers of the Provincial Archives of Alberta
Since 1989, members of the Alberta Genealogical Society (AGS) has been providing ongoing volunteer services to the Provincial Archives of Alberta. The group has evolved over 33 years with people moving, retiring or passing away.
This current group of 11 long-time and committed AGS members help to preserve and make accessible materials of interest to those researching family histories.
Their thousands of hours of meticulous indexing and rehousing of archival documents have significantly increased access to historical information on Alberta families.
Belinda Crowson of Lethbridge
Ms. Crowson has been involved with heritage in Alberta for over 22 years. Her long list of accomplishments clearly demonstrate exemplary long-term leadership in the preservation and promotion of the history of southern Alberta.
Notable achievements include her involvement with the Galt Museum’s education program, her volunteer efforts relating to the Lethbridge Historical Society, her books about Lethbridge history, and her strong advocacy for the value of local history.