Fort Chipewyan Museum Wins Award

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The tiny Fort Chipewyan Historical Society has beat out larger organizations to win a coveted tourism award this year.

The Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIALTA) awarded the small organization the 1993 Heritage Tourism Award.

The museum first opened in 1990. Its construction was started two years before, as part of the community's bicentennial celebrations. A full size reproduction of the Hudson's Bay Company 1870 stores building, it features both native and historic displays and a model of the late 1800s fort itself.

Fort Chipewyan is the oldest non-native settlements in Alberta, dating back to 1788. It was on the route of the North-west Fur Trading Company and later the Hudson's Bay Company.

Cathy McGinnis, representing the society at the TIALTA award's luncheon held in Banff on March 23, accepted the award.

McGinnis, a Metis, said until last year she was the only Native person in the organization. Two others have since joined and McGinnis hopes the recognition of the Society has received will spur more aboriginal peoples to get involved.