Yellowknife has it going on! Film Fest and Heritage Week all in the same week, amazing. We are all going to have  busy schedules taking in all the good stuff this City has to offer. Along with the Yk Film Fest it is Heritage Week as well. This week is being put together to celebrate Yellowknife’s energetic history. You can do so by attending some of the events that are being put on all across town.

Although many of us may only move to the north to work, I have found my peace with it and enjoy this City. The City has grown on me, even though through my school years I wanted nothing more than to move south. I have discovered that Yellowknife is a very unique and relatively young City. Although the Yellowknife Dene have been in the area for generation the town of Yellowknife did not form until the mid 1930’s when Gold was first discovered. From the first discovery of gold to now Yellowknife has grown and changed in many ways. From being the hub for over 12 gold mines to now the hub of 3 diamond mines.

Here are the Heritage Week 2010 events:

Monday, February 8

Tour of the Legislative Assembly 12:10 – 1:00pm
Join us for an informative and fun tour of the Legislative Assembly in honour of Heritage Week!

Tuesday, February 9

Evening Music Session 7:00 – 9:00pm Javaroma
Yellowknife’s rich cultural heritage will be on display Tuesday night with performances by Rick Poltaruk and Pat Braden!
An open mic will follow the headlining acts. Any musicians with northern songs in their repertoire are encouraged to come out and contribute to the night’s celebration!
The Evening Music Session is presented in association with NWT Music.

Wednesday, February 10

Heritage Art Show 7:00 – 9:00pm Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Local works celebrating the history of Yellowknife will be on display. Come down to support the vital role of art in celebrating and promoting heritage.
Music will be courtesy of harpist Susan Hoefer, with refreshments provided.

Thursday, February 11

Heritage Award Gathering
The 2009 Heritage Award will be presented to Yvonne Quick for her enthusiasm, energy and hard work towards the preservation and promotion of Yellowknife’s heritage.

Friday, February 12

Heritage Plaque Unveiling 12:15 – 12:45pm Post Office
The plaque being installed on the Post Office is in recognition of the significance of the Yellowknife Post Office to the social, cultural and business fabric of the city of Yellowknife. The plaque will be unveiled by the Mayor and refreshments will be served.

Sunday, February 14

Amazing Family Sundays 2:00 – 3:30pm Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
A multi‐cultural storytelling event with poems, dance, song and stories. Fun for the entire family! Refreshments will be served.

Driving through town today, something I don’t do often, I noticed that the sign for the Centre Ice Plaza is once again back up. When they first put it up you could barely read the name of the place, so when it came down I assumed it was to make a bigger one.

Along with the name of the place they have listed the two business which are already open, Bank of Montreal and Family Vision Centre. Below that there is a list of the “Coming Soon” businesses, which include: Nico’s Market, Barrenland Jewellery, Stanton Finace Dept.(?), L’Heritage Restaurant and Lube-X

I was actually a little surprised by this list of businesses. I was expecting a couple more retails stores than just Barrenland and Nico’s.

I am a little concerned for Barrenland, one of the perks of being in a retail populated outlet is you get customers from other stores but it doesn’t seem there will be many.

I am not sure of the date of the centre’s official opening becuase Polar Developments was closed when I called. The Feastival of Trees is being held at the plaza tonight (Nov 21) so I would assume the opening will be sometime in the next month or two.

What is your take on this new plaza now that you have an idea of the businesses that will be occupying it?