Do you know a person or group in your community helping to support Alberta’s history and heritage? It could be a local historical society helping preserve a physical piece of local history; a researcher publishing a book or article; or a member of the community who’s shown long-term leadership and contribution to the preservation and presentation of Alberta’s history. If so, consider nominating them for a 2026 Heritage Award.
Presented by the Government of Alberta, the Heritage Awards recognize individuals, non-profit organizations, corporations, municipalities and First Nations and Metis settlements for their significant contributions to the protection, preservation and promotion of Alberta’s heritage. Heritage awards are presented every two years.
The Heritage Awards are divided into three categories:
Heritage Awareness Recognizes research, publications or public engagement projects that have deepened our understanding and promoted greater awareness of Alberta’s heritage.
Heritage Conservation Recognizes projects that demonstrate excellence in the protection and management of palaeontological and archaeological resources; conservation of a Provincial Historic Resource, Municipal Historic Resource or Indigenous Historic Place; or identification, protection and management of historic places
Outstanding Achievement Recognizes an individual’s or organization’s exemplary long-term leadership and contribution to the preservation and presentation of Alberta’s history.
Take a look at the information and fill out a nomination form. And to get a sense of the scope and range of nominations across the province, check out past winners of the Heritage Awards.
The nomination period begins March 1 and closes June 1.
The deadline for applications for the Roger Soderstrom scholarship is fast approaching!
The Roger Soderstrom Scholarship honours the late Roger Soderstrom’s work and career with the Government of Alberta in encouraging preservation and interpretation of Alberta’s heritage.
The applicant must be a permanent Alberta resident enrolled in a graduate or extended study program with a proposed research project at that level, in the following fields, but not limited to:
architectural preservation
urban or area planning and conservation
historic resource management
archaeology
history
palaeontology
The research project must have significant Alberta content and will help with the preservation or understanding of Alberta’s heritage.
Guidelines for the scholarship, along with instructions on how to apply, are available on Alberta.ca.
Previous recipients from the Heritage Awards are a testament to the varied range of individuals and groups who work to preserve and celebrate our province’s heritage. Alberta’s history is unique and diverse; the Heritage Awards are just one way to recognize and commend those who write about, research, advocate and celebrate Alberta history.
The Heritage Awards, presented by the Alberta government, help to honour the work of Alberta citizens, groups and communities helping to share protect, preserve and promote our province’s history. The awards recognize individuals, non-profit organizations, corporations, municipalities, First Nations and Métis settlements.
This year, the awards are broken down into three categories: Heritage Conservation, Heritage Awareness and Outstanding Achievement. Learn more about these categories and the nomination process.
Recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony in September. Further details will come out during the next few months.
To nominate an individual or group, fill out a nomination form and drop off, mail, courier or email your nomination package to:
Heritage Awards Program Old St. Stephen’s College Building 8820 112 Street Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P8 Email: acsw.heritageawards@gov.ab.ca
Previous recipients from the Heritage Awards are a testament to the varied range of individuals and groups who work to preserve and celebrate our province’s heritage. Alberta’s history is unique and diverse; the Heritage Awards are just one way to recognize and commend those who write about, research, advocate and celebrate Alberta history.
The Heritage Awards, presented by the Alberta government, help to honour the work of Alberta citizens, groups and communities helping to share protect, preserve and promote our province’s history. The awards recognize individuals, non-profit organizations, corporations, municipalities, First Nations and Métis settlements.
This year, the awards are broken down into three categories: Heritage Conservation, Heritage Awareness and Outstanding Achievement. Learn more about these categories and the nomination process.
Recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony in September. Further details will come out during the next few months.
To nominate an individual or group, fill out a nomination form and drop off, mail, courier or email your nomination package to:
Heritage Awards Program Old St. Stephen’s College Building 8820 112 Street Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P8 Email: acsw.heritageawards@gov.ab.ca
Heritage Advisory Bodies aren’t pep squads but they do need P.E.P!
Members of the Holden Heritage Resources Committee (Municipal Heritage Forum 2011).
As a best practice, the Municipal Heritage Services Unit of Alberta Culture encourages municipalities that are developing local heritage conservation programs to establish a heritage advisory body. A heritage advisory body could be a board, commission or committee that advises Council on matters pertinent to the development and management of a local heritage program. Essentially, a heritage advisory body has the important job of providing public input and expertise to Council so that informed decisions about the municipality’s heritage will benefit current residents and future generations. Heritage advisory bodies can also play a key role in fostering community interest and support.
So what does pep have to do with heritage advisory bodies? Well, a quick search on Dictionary.com defines “pep” as being indicative of high spirits, energy, or vitality. While these are great traits for a municipal heritage advisory body, these groups should also possess another type of pep: Planning, Engagement and Partnerships.
Yellowhead County Heritage Advisory Board and municipal staff (2011).
Planning – A wise man once taught me: “Prior preparation and planning prevents poor performance.” This holds true for the development of local heritage conservation programs. For a municipality (and its heritage advisory body) to effectively manage historic resources it should learn about, understand and plan for the successful protection and conservation of significant places. A heritage advisory body, representing the broader community, plays a key role in planning projects that identify potential historic places, evaluating sites for heritage value and determining appropriate procedures and policies for managing an effective heritage program. The Municipal Heritage Partnership Program has a suite of cost-shared grants designed to assist with the completion of these projects.
Tour of historic places in the Village of Vilna (2002).
Engagement – Why do we conserve heritage? Many answers come to mind but the most commonly referenced speaks of how present and future generations will benefit from improved community identity and a stronger sense of place. Ultimately, this reason transforms heritage conservation into something that is very people focused, as opposed to place specific. So, when planning don’t forget to engage the community benefiting from heritage conservation! Find ways for residents to participate and experience their heritage: organize heritage awareness special events; develop educational material so that people may learn about and take pride in their community’s unique heritage. Be creative in your approach and have fun! Heritage awareness or research grants offered through the Heritage Preservation Partnership Program may assist with these types of initiatives.
Vulcan Regional Heritage Project Steeering Committee – a collaboration between Vulcan County, Town of Vulcan and the villages of Carmangay, Champion and Milo (2011).
Partnerships – Heritage is holistic and so its conservation and celebration can’t be completed in isolation. As a result, heritage advisory bodies should engage and partner with other organizations – especially community organizations that are atypical. That local hockey association, tennis club, wilderness organization or theatrical society might very well be planning the perfect event that could support some heritage engagement objectives. The members of those same organizations might also provide a new perspective or highlight additional opportunities related to heritage conservation. I challenge you: find a listing of community organizations, select the one that seems least likely to have an interest in heritage conservation and try to collaborate on a mutually beneficial project. Through partnerships and collaborations, awareness and appreciation of heritage will surely increase.
This P.E.P. approach to heritage management will help ensure a collective community-driven attitude; a method that will strengthen and increase support and contribute to a community culture of conservation.
Written by: Brenda Manweiler, Municipal Heritage Services Officer
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