The Fort la Reine Museum, one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Manitoba, is receiving a boost to its operations with a $65,000 grant from the City of Portage la Prairie. Executive Director Emma Ens-MacIver is excited about the funding. Though they apply for the grant every year, this year’s grant is more than they've received in the past. This added financial support will help the museum add some much-needed staffing support.
“We're thrilled. It's more than we've received in the past, which we're grateful for. We're just at a point where we're looking to increase fundraising and get more outreach and volunteer attention," Ens-MacIver says. "The RM awarded us a grant as well to get operational funding from them. We're thrilled they're working together to support the museum collectively as a community project. We appreciate that, especially as things are getting more expensive. We're hoping that by being able to expand our staff we'll be able to secure increased funding in the future."
Financial pressures and rising costs
As inflation drives up costs the museum has felt the pressure. Ens-MacIver says heritage projects like the museum often struggle for provincially or nationally funded priorities, however, local support has made a big difference.
“It's great to see the city and the municipality step up where it can be difficult to secure the provincial and the federal funding. It's important for the community to invest in places like us because without them we wouldn't be able to continue with the way things are going with inflation and managing such a large site here. Having their continued support makes me feel like they're behind us and kind of gives me that extra motivation and enthusiasm to kind of keep going,” she says.
With the community’s backing, the museum can continue to offer educational programs. The museum also serves as a tourism bureau for the area which attracts visitors from across Canada and internationally to explore the region’s rich history.
Staffing and volunteer challenges
Ens-MacIver is the museum’s sole full-time staff member, supported by a small group of volunteers. Though she is grateful for their help, more support is necessary to manage the museum's demands.
"Volunteering in general I think has suffered over the last decade. People's priorities are in different places, but the museum used to have a strong core of volunteers, and it isn't the same as it was probably in the 90s and early 2000s. I'm very thankful for my four to five volunteers who come by and help me, but it's not nearly enough. This grant will help me start another contract position for fundraising and community outreach.”
Ens-MacIver also relies on government-funded summer staff, though their employment is limited to the busy season. Because the museum remains operational year-round, she manages everything from grant writing to exhibit planning alone.
Building a sustainable future
The museum has long-term goals to diversify its revenue streams and eventually make it more self-sufficient.
“We’re hoping that rentals and different events will help us grow that way so we can start to be a bit more self-sufficient. That is our ultimate goal, but that takes time and initial help, which is what these grants will help us do this year."
She is also working to address the decline in volunteerism by fostering a welcoming and flexible environment.
“I don't know if the connotation of volunteering is skewed now, and people think it must be so laborious and tedious. People have so many skills in the community that they don't even know could be utilized here. I hope the community comes out to see the space and learn about what they could bring to a place like this. From carpentry to gardening, you do not need museum knowledge to help the museum. It's a fun place. It's not something that has to be so rigid. Drop in on your schedule and help with whatever you can! I'm trying to build that community where people can feel like they're at home here."
Fort la Reine will open for the season on May 17th, and Ens-MacIver is hopeful that the continued support from the community and the new grant funding will help the museum thrive in the years to come. The museum also plans to host a community cleanup and volunteer day on May 24th, inviting the people of Portage to help prepare the museum for the busy season ahead.
Additionally, the museum has been announced as one of the 12 finalists for the '2025 Next Great Save'. This national competition empowers communities to protect, adapt, renew, and improve historic places. The finalists are competing for public votes and the chance to win up to $65,000 in cash prizes to address urgent restoration and renewal needs. Fort la Reine is the only museum in Manitoba to make the shortlist and Ens-MacIver chose the Hourie House for the upgrades.
Every finalist must present their project and rally their communities to celebrate its unique history. Each person can cast one vote per day on www.nextgreatsave.ca. Voting will end on April 17 at 1 p.m. EST. Upon voting on the website, it will send a confirmation email to you with a link. You must click on the link to 'confirm' your vote for it to count. The winner and the two runners-up will be revealed later in the day on April 17th.