The gift, announced today by David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Métis Federation, will go a long way towards retaining historic Upper Fort Garry and creating an interpretive park.
We want to thank the Friends of Upper Fort Garry for their vision and hard work led initially by former Lt. – Gov. Peter Liba, and continued by Dr. Jerry Gray and his team,” said MMF President David Chartrand. “The MMF had exchanged ideas and shared a vision with Lt. – Gov. Peter Liba f or many years. Finally, all is coming to fruition.”
“By preserving the site we are revitalizing the spirit of our Ancestors who created this beautiful province,” adds MMF Vice President Ron Chartrand. “The legacy of Louis Riel and other Métis leaders wi ll remain alive here as elsewhere throughout our province.”
Dr. Jerry Gray, Chair of the Friends of Upper Fort Garry, notes, “This gift is tremendous. The involvement of the Manitoba Métis Federation is such an important and natural fit as Upper Fort Gar ry was the setting of many of the events leading up to the Treaty between the Métis nation and Canada, and ultimately the creation of our province.”
These gifts join hundreds of other donations provided by Manitobans who are eager to create a future for Upper Fort Garry. Friends of Upper Fort Garry has also received commitments from the Province of Manitoba and from the Government of Canada for $1.5 million each for a total of $3 million. The overall total raised to date is $8.2 million towards a requi rement of $10 million by the March 31, 2008 deadline.
For interviews with Friends of Upper Fort Garry, please contact:
Sandra Jones
Jones Communications
Phone: 204-772 – 9267
Cell: 204-296 – 6605