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DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION
New structures are appearing on Mission Island - an area some people consider a sacred site just outside of Fort Resolution - after more than a century of no construction.

Wilfred Simon stands in front of the cabin he is building on Mission Island near Fort Resolution. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

In 1776, a mission was established on the island, giving it its name. Nowadays, the only visible indications of the island's history are a very old mission house, a large cross atop a hill and a number of gravesites.

A couple of weeks ago, Deninu Ku'e First Nation (DKFN) relocated a small cabin to Mission Island for use during the recent Culture Week activities.

"Now that Culture Week is over, it will stay open and, if families want to go out there for the weekend for picnicking and staying overnight, they're free to do it," said Chief Louis Balsillie.

The chief also noted DKFN is looking at accessing some money to build three cottages.

In addition, Fort Resolution resident Wilfred Simon has begun to build a cabin on the island.

"I had a dream. That's why I built this," he said, explaining there were actually a few cabins in his dream.

"I think, if I build, other people will come and build and have a community here," he added, noting people could spend time on the island in both summer and winter.

Simon believes no one has built on Mission Island for more than 100 years.

However, he said there was once a small settlement of perhaps 20 to 25 little cabins.

The small community eventually relocated to present-day Fort Resolution, about six km away by an unpaved road. Although still called an island, the channel that once separated Mission Island from the mainland has been filled in for many years.

Simon said he has heard rumours that some Fort Resolution residents are not happy about a cabin on Mission Island because they consider it a sacred site.

"Some people are kind of upset that I'm building it," he said.

However, Simon noted he is a Christian.

"It will be a good place to come and spend time with the Lord," he said. "It's going to be open for anybody to use. It's not going to be just for me. Hopefully, they can see that and keep it, instead of breaking it down and breaking everything."

Simon, who is a community wellness worker, said he has also considered Mission Island to be a sacred site since he was young.

"When I became a Christian and got baptized as an adult and understood The Bible, I used to come here just reading my Bible and spending time with the Lord here, and I still do," he said.

Balsillie welcomes Simon's cabin.

"I think it's great," the chief said. "We always encourage our people to go back to the land. I'm sure Mission Island is a great place for it because that's where our ancestors were at one time before we moved to what we call Fort Res now."

Balsillie said he has not heard any opposition to the cabins.

DKFN is also looking for funding to try to preserve the old mission building, which is 100-plus years old and encircled by a ribbon warning people that it would be dangerous to enter.

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