Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Apr 01/02) - The Northern Life Museum would like $100,000, please.

Renovations are well underway to the 32-year-old museum, but all displays are closed until funds are found to finish the job.

Northern museums have "chronic funding problems," said Clarence Rhymer, director of Fort Smith's museum.

"There was federal money we were supposed to get but it didn't happen," he said.

"We need a one-time piece of capital funding to make this happen.

"In the meantime we're working on things that don't require too much money."

Funding from the territorial government may be freed up, after its officials evaluate a plan and "vision" which was written after community consultations, Rhymer said. The Education Department is being eyed as the most likely funding source. Rhymer said he is optimistic money will come through, and that the displays could re-open within a year.

One museum highlight is a collection from the Oblate Brothers, who were based in Fort Smith for many years.

Most pieces were given to the museum while a few others on loan from the Provincial Museum of Alberta.

Gallery themes touch on aboriginal culture, the fur trade and river transportation.

Rhymer said he would like a renovated museum to illustrate the relationship between the Church and aboriginal communities, and how the economy developed from commercial interests which moved in.

A scaled-down version of a trapper's cabin and a storefront will be built, he said.

For the past two years, the museum has been dismantling and re-working exhibits.

Last year the museum also served as Fort Smith's visitor's centre. The museum brought that role to an end because a $3,000 grant from the town wasn't enough, Rhymer said.