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A new exhibit is coming to the St. Pierre Museum, shining a spotlight on the Rat River Settlement.
Museum President Rolly Gagne says the idea behind the exhibit is rooted in identity and community history.
“Well, the idea came about stating we need to know where we're from and who we are and, what's the history behind our community. As complex as it seems, it's so easy.”
The display explores the early history of the area that shaped the community's beginnings.
“So, dating back from 1730 to 1878, when the railway arrived in Otterburne, Manitoba, and that was the beginning of our parish in our community and our municipality over here. And so that's what we're trying to show. We're just trying to showcase who we are,” Gagne explains.
The exhibition focuses on acknowledging the original inhabitants and those who settled in the area afterward.
“The reason that the Voyagers and the Metis came to establish themselves in and around the Rat River because of its beauty and the grandeur and the numerous amounts of animals that were here during that period of time. And so that's what we're trying to emphasize. It's just to emphasize the Metis community that had started this whole area.”
During the research process, the team uncovered a unique historical treasure.
“We were lucky enough that doing our research we discovered some beautiful pre-Manitoba maps that were never scanned or taken out of the archives beforehand and what we did, we were able to hire a company to come and scan them and print them, and so we're going to have those available and it's pretty awesome actually.”
Gagne says they are hosting a grand opening to unveil the exhibit.
“It's a very low-key, small museum based. We're going to have a few people coming out to celebrate with us. The first part of four parts of our community and that's what we're trying to do is just to try to bring the people together, explain to them who we are, where the history comes from. And so we're just going to unveil and let the people come and showcase and check out our new small exhibition that we will have in our museum.”
The ceremony will take place at the Museum on Thursday, June 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
With files from Kenton Dyck