Minister Blackett Launches Heritage Resources Management Program at AU

September 11, 2008

By Joe Rosich, Administrator, Heritage Resources Management Program

Athabasca University celebrated the official opening of The Heritage Resources Management program at a gala event on June 30, 2008. Several distinguished guests joined University staff in Athabasca for a presentation that included eloquent and impassioned speeches, a display of AU collections, and a heritage-themed ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Heritage Resources Management (HRM) program provides training for both aspiring and established heritage professionals pursuing careers in museums, heritage sites, archives, or related associations and institutions. It is offered as an Undergraduate Certificate and as a Graduate Diploma. The program’s courses include topics such as conservation, collections management, interpretive planning, heritage ethics and policy. Both academic streams culminate in a unique practicum wherein students are given the opportunity to gain experience by applying their scholastic training in a professional setting.

The day’s festivities also celebrated the launch of the Historical Resources Intern Program (HRIP), an innovative partnership between Athabasca University and the Government of Alberta in which the University provides scholarly training in heritage resources management for interns working at various museums, historical places and sites operated by the Government of Alberta.

Distinguished guests included Minister of Culture and Community Spirit Lindsay Blackett, Athabasca-Redwater Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jeff Johnson, Edmonton Centre Member of Parliament (MP)Laurie Hawn, Culture and Community Spirit Deputy Minister Lois Hawkins, Athabasca University President Frits Pannekoek, Centre for Integrated Studies Director Mike Gismondi, supervisors and interns from the Historical Resources Intern Program, and members of local heritage interest groups such as the Athabasca Heritage Society and the Boyle and District History Book Society.

Dr. Pannekoek presided over the event as master of ceremonies, and began the presentation in the Governing Council Chambers with introductions and comments about the significance of the new program. Dr. Gismondi followed with a message from HRM program Director Donald G. Wetherell, and a brief history of the program’s development. Next at the podium was HRIP intern Ronald Kelland who delivered a moving speech about the significance of the new programs from his perspective as a student and new professional in the heritage field. MLA Jeff Johnson then introduced Minister Blackett, who followed with a heartfelt speech extolling the importance of fostering awareness of our heritage. HRM Administrator Joe Rosich continued the indoor events with a brief tour of several major artifacts recently donated to the Athabasca University Archives, including items from the O.J. Roberts collection and the Hendriks/Cameron collection. Thanks to Karen Langley and Archives staff for providing the displays. Mr. Rosich concluded with a demonstration of one of the HRM program’s online courses.

Events then moved outside the main entrance of Athabasca University Central, where a red ribbon had been strung between a two vintage vehicles – a 1961 Austin Cambridge car and a 1944 John Deere BR tractor, both provided by the Rosich/Hanson family. Minister Blackett was handed an antique (but newly sharpened!) pair of scissors, and while surrounded by HRIP interns, ministry staff, and university officials, he cut the ribbon officially marking the opening of the two programs.

As noted in the speeches on that day, an enormous debt of gratitude is owed to the supporters the HRM and HRIP programs have had from the inception to the official opening, and once again I wish to personally thank all of those advocates of heritage, and particularly the staff at Athabasca University for their ongoing support of this program.

Finally, it should also be noted that due to the high concentration of HRIP interns and AU staff in Edmonton and southern Alberta, a second program launch celebration will be held on October 10, 2008 in Edmonton. If you are interested in attending this event, please RSVP to Joe Rosich at joer@athabascau.ca.

For more information on the Heritage Resources Management program, visit our website at http://heritage.resources.athabascau.ca/

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Updated August 21, 2012