Mountain Projects from Nepal to Banff Receive Grants

From a Sherpa museum in Namche Bazar, Nepal, to a book celebrating the legacy of Canadian mountain photographer Bruno Engler, the projects receiving funding through this year’s Banff Centre for Mountain Culture grant program reflect the rich diversity of the world’s mountain cultures. The Centre annually awards grant money – a total of $23,000 (CAD) this year – to projects that creatively communicate the special nature and culture of the mountain places.

"We are happy to be able to support these grass-roots projects that reflect the commitment of people around the world to preserving and celebrating the world’s mountain areas," said Leslie Taylor, associate director of the Banff Centre for Mountain Culture.

This year’s selection committee reviewed 31 grant applications from 10 countries. The 2001 grant recipients are:

Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa of Nepal - $5000 - for the purchase of 40 copper prayer wheels for and sundry structural improvements to a museum of Sherpa Culture in Namche Bazar, Nepal.

Ed Douglas and Ray Wood of the United Kingdom - $5000 - for the creation of an AV presentation, photo exhibition, articles, and research for a book on the Cairngorm range in Scotland.

Serena Rix of Australia - $2500 - to support the making and distribution of two videos on sustainable trekking, intended for viewing by trekkers and porters in Nepal.

Trevor McFadyen of Canada and Taiwan - $4000 - to support the creation of a curriculum-based, Internet-distributed edukit on the Snow Leopard. This edukit will be aimed at Canadian students in Grades 7 - 9.

Vera Matrasova-Engler and Susan Engler Potts of Canada - $3500 - to support research and photo compilation for the publication of a book of the photography of Bruno Engler.

Guy Clarkson of Canada - $3000 - to support the film project The Shining Mountains which will introduce the natural and cultural history of the Canadian Rockies to Banff visitors.

The Banff Centre for Mountain Culture grants are awarded annually. Applications for the year 2002 grants will be available in January. For more information, check the Banff Centre for Mountain Culture web site at www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/