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Groundbreaking ceremony for Mosquito, Grizzly Bear's Head, Lean Man First Nation’s r Henry Beaudry Interpretive Cultural Art Gallery Project. (Darien Rae/battlefordsNOW Staff)
Joyous Occasion

Ground broken on Mosquito First Nation’s new Cultural Centre and Art Gallery

Sep 29, 2023 | 12:05 PM

Construction is close to starting on Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man (MGBHLM) First Nation’s new Cultural Centre and Art Gallery.

An official groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday with FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron and Premier Scott Moe making the drive over to participate.

Last year, the First Nation received over $5.8 million from the provincial and federal governments to create the facility which will be named after Henry Beaudry, a late Second World War Veteran and a self-taught artist.

A photo of artist Henry Beaudry’s painting called “The Warrior.” (Submitted photo/Grant Beaudry)

“The MGBHLM Interpretive Centre and Henry Beaudry Art Gallery (will be) created to share the Nakota story, history, and culture to visitors from around the world. This is a place to share the Nakota language, education, and art for generations to come; honouring our ancestors and establishing a sense of pride in our Nations,” said Tanya Stone, Chief of MGBHLM.

The nearly 14,500 square-foot facility will include space for an Indigenous land and language circle. It will also share the history and stories of residential schools and survivors.

“Our provincial government is humbled to play a role in such a unique facility that will help tell the powerful story of this community and share Indigenous culture with its neighbours in the Land of Living Skies and from around the globe,” said Don McMorris, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Government Relations.

Groundbreaking ceremony for Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation’s r Henry Beaudry Interpretive Cultural Art Gallery Project. (Darien Rae/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The facility will be located south of the Battlefords, near the site of the former Battleford Industrial School.

Construction will start in late fall or early winter and is expected to wrap up next fall.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

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