From the ashes of history

Some of the deepest roots of our region’s and province’s history can be traced back to a pair of forts in the region around what is now the community of Pelly.

“Fort Pelly established in 1821, was for half a century, the main trading post for the Assiniboine area and the headquarters of the Swan River District of the Hudson’s Bay Company. It was the centre at which trade goods such as traps, muskrat spears, trade points, and parts for boats were produced. It was also a manufacturing centre for boats, barge-like bateaux, dog sleds and carts,” details a pamphlet from the Fort Pelly – Livingstone Museum.

“Fort Livingstone, erected in 1874, was the original headquarters and the first post built for the North West Mounted Police. It provided facilities for 185 men and their mounts and included a residence for the stipendiary magistrate. These headquarters were moved to Fort Macleod in 1876, but Livingstone continued as a post until 1878.”

Both forts are National Historic Sites.

Considering the history of the two forts, it is little wonder volunteers in the region started the museum located in the community of Pelly years ago as a place to collect and display the region’s long history.

“The Pelly area has a significant chapter in the history of colonial and early Canada. Fort Pelly and Fort Livingstone are two of our National Historic sites, places of “profound importance to Canadian history” according to Parks Canada. They are located at the closest intersection of two prairie river valleys,” wrote Al Reine, who does communications for the museum in an issue of Muse, a publication of the Canadian Museums Association. “Fort Livingstone, on the banks of the Swan, was the first capital of the Northwest Territories and the controversial first post built specifically for the North West Mounted Police (NWMP). Fort Pelly, located on the Assiniboine, was a vibrant Hudson’s Bay Company outpost that witnessed 50 years of colonial history and interrelationships with area First Nations. Pelly village, located near the Manitoba border in east-central Saskatchewan, lies almost mid-way between the two first, a ten-minute drive from each.”

The museum had become something of a beacon in a community which had seen its school close, elevator, RCMP office and other markers of a vibrant community.

And then the unthinkable happened. In 2015 a fire destroyed the museum and all but a few saved artifacts, a now charred and half melted bell, a uniform of the RCMP, and a few others.

The community was devastated, said local museum committee chair Yvonne Hotzak.

Hotzak said when word spread of the fire and the loss was recognized, she was among many who shed a tear.

But the community soon rallied around the idea of rebuilding.

“Just after the fire we had a debriefing with the community,” she said, adding what came out of that meeting was that the community “was adamant about rebuilding.”

Hotzak said the task of starting over was daunting, but one she agreed with.

“A lot of this story would be totally lost if we didn’t do this,” she said.

The initial thought was to raise the funds to build a new home, but then a bit of good luck came the way of the Pelly group.

“A year after the fire we caught a huge break. A real estate listing showed the village’s former RCMP barracks were up for sale,” wrote Reine in the article. “The building had been privately owned after the RCMP left town years ago, but it had become available at a reasonable price. The board got a mortgage, the building was purchased and the light grew brighter. We could now develop a better plan, host an open house in our new building, and inform curious area residents about our progress. We even started thinking about an opening date.

“The barracks and attached residence were not only structurally sound, but historically appropriate. They were a great fit with our desired to celebrate the achievements and activities of both the NWCP and their RCMP successors. With the assistance of Public Safety Canada, we were able to touch base with related RCMP organizations (e.g. RCMP Veterans Association, RCMP Heritage Centre) to seek advice and assistance for our goal to celebrate important achievements of both forces that provided security in colonial and early Canada. To that end, we’ve allocated a specific RCMP/NWMP display area in the new museum.”

Hotzak said the old barracks was just what they needed to fast track a rebuild.

“Oh my God what a great opportunity this was,” she told Yorkton This Week on a recent tour.

The museum currently features five exhibits the forts, First Nations history/culture, veterans, RCMP/NWMP, and local history. 

As part of the Museum’s wish to reflect community diversity the First Nations display area will be dedicated in a separate ceremony on National Aboriginal Day, Jun. 21.

The museum reopened its doors May 19. Hotzak presided over the opening ceremonies, noting at the time, “we don’t have everything we need yet, but we wanted to open now to give the community a boost . . .

“Our actions today are an important step in ensuring that Canadians know of our area people’s role in the settlement of the west.”

At the opening ceremonies the museum received the Museums Association of Saskatchewan (MAS) Institutional Award of Merit for reopening. 

MAS Executive Director Wendy Fitch announced the award. Fitch praised the long history of community support for the museum. 

“All of you, volunteers and supporters, both past and present, deserve our thanks and admiration for all your hard work and dedication to preserving the heritage of the community,” she said in a museum release.

While the doors are open, much work remains to be done.

Renovations to the building are ongoing.

And rebuilding the local artifacts will take years, with some things truly irreplaceable.

“Given all the items lost in the fire, the museum is still seeking additional materials, relating to this early period,” wrote Reine. “In particular, we need items and stories related to early governance, the fur trade and First Nations history. We would also welcome any artifacts related to European settlement in the decades immediately after confederation.”

As much work as remains, the museum has a vision: The Fort Pelly – Livingstone Museum, through innovative educational displays and programs, exists in partnerships with others to collect, preserve and present elements of our community’s rich heritage to assist visitors to explore our past, illuminate our present, and imagine our future, wrote Reine.

The museum will be open June through September from 1-5 PM. Open days are Tuesday-Sunday in July-August and Friday-Sunday in June and September.