The 174 year-old Moravian Mission building in Hebron, Labrador will be preserved for future generations with a contribution from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to the Torngâsok Cultural Centre, the cultural arm of the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA). ACOA will provide $630,669 to assist with a two-year project to stabilize the historic Moravian Mission Complex in Hebron.

“The immediate objective of this stabilization project is the preservation and maintenance of the cultural and historical value of the Mission Complex,” said Labrador MP Lawrence O’Brien, on behalf of ACOA. “The Government of Canada has long recognized the cultural and historic heritage of Hebron, particularly the Moravian Mission Building.”

Hebron was declared a National Historic Site and in 1979 Parks Canada completed a stabilization project on the building. Since that time there has been deterioration and there was genuine concern about preserving the integrity of the building and related structures. Mr O’Brien said an ACOA-funded architectural study was undertaken during 2002 and the results of that study will help guide the LIA in its efforts to stabilize the building.

“The community of Hebron was first settled when the Moravians established a mission there in 1830,” said Catharyn Andersen of the Torngâsok Cultural Centre. “For some 129 years, the Inuit developed many cultural legacies in Hebron. The Moravian structures at Hebron and Hopedale represent two of the most historically significant Mission Built Structures left standing in the province, and they are the oldest in North America. So, not only is this project significantly important for the Inuit people, it also has great historical significance for the province.”

Ms. Anderson said the Inuit were relocated from Hebron in 1959, and the OkKak Inuit were relocated in 1956.

“Parks Canada officials understand the significant tourism potential that can result from the proper stabilization, refurbishment and interpretation of the Moravian sites at Hebron and Hopedale,” said Mr. O’Brien. “Tourism related opportunities for Hebron are further magnified by the work of the Torngat National Park planning process, which is already well underway. Any investment in Hebron’s built heritage and other related heritage tourism attractions in the region will help plant the seeds for future economic benefits and related job creation on Labrador’s coast.”

The Hebron initiative will also greatly assist the community of Nain as it will promote the community as an important catchment area for adventure tourism on the northern coast. There are a number of tourism opportunities already operating out of Nain, and there will be a concerted effort to promote the Hebron and Hopedale sites as destinations for the cruise ship industry.

The funding for this project is being provided through ACOA’s Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF). SCIF is providing $135 million over five years to help communities in Atlantic Canada create an environment that encourages the development of strategic sectors. This fund, administered by ACOA, is a component of the $700 million Atlantic Investment Partnership (AIP).

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An effort will be made to ensure the preservation of the historic Moravian Mission located in Hebron, Labrador thanks to the work of the Labrador Inuit Association and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Labrador MP Lawrence O’Brien said ACOA is providing $630,669 to assist the cultural arm of the LIA, the Torngâsok Cultural Centre, with a two-year project to stabilize the historic Moravian Mission Complex in Hebron.

Hebron was declared a National Historic Site and in 1979 Parks Canada completed a stabilization project on the building. Since that time there has been deterioration and there was genuine concern about preserving the integrity of the building and related structures. The Inuit were relocated from Hebron in 1959.

An ACOA-funded architectural study was undertaken last year and the results of that study will help guide the LIA in its efforts to stabilize the building. The mission was established in 1830, making the structure 174 years old.

For more information, please contact:

Stephen Heckbert
Director of Communications
Minister of ACOA
(613) 948-7293

Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA 
(709) 772-2935

Catharyn Andersen
Torngâsok Cultural Centre
(709) 922-2158