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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The chance to look inside of one of Fort Simpson's historical buildings coupled with free hot food on a chilly day proved to be quite the draw over the weekend.

Meadow Okrainec, 4, and her mother Merle Snider were among the approximately 30 people who participated in the heritage celebration held in the McPherson House in Fort Simpson on Nov. 3. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Approximately 30 people visited the McPherson House in Fort Simpson on Nov. 3. Inside they found heat rolling out from a wood stove, stew, chili and baked goods ready to be eaten and information about the Heritage Centre Society.

The society billed the event as a heritage celebration. It was a chance to raise awareness about the society and the projects it is working on, said Shyanne Smith, the society's program co-ordinator.

The society's primary project is the Heritage Centre located on the village's main street. The building site used to be home to the Sacred Heart Rectory, which dated to 1911.

The building, which was structurally unsuitable for renovation, was demolished in 2010. The society is working to build a replica of it with some modifications to the interior.

Some progress has been made. The foundation of the original rectory has been reinforced, insulated, sealed and capped with what will become the first floor of the new building, said Smith.

"People will see a bit of work on the site this winter," she said.

The society plans to protect the exposed first floor and erect signage about the project to inform residents. Work will continue into the summer, but the intent is to do the primary construction in the summer of 2014, said Smith.

Completion of the project has been delayed up to this point because of a lack of capacity within the society and funding, she said. Smith, who began working for the society in June, has been fundraising. The amount of money needed to finish the project hasn't been decided yet.

To help further the project, the society will be holding a strategic planning session in late January. There will be a session for community members to discuss the future of the Heritage Centre as well as a daytime session for people who may have input as part of their work, said Smith. The society will also be holding a facilitated weekend session open to both board members and the broader public.

The society is also looking for at least two more people to commit to joining them.

"We would love to have more participants on our board," said Smith.

Fort Simpson's history and heritage, beginning with First Nations people and moving forward in time, should be celebrated and presented within the community, she said.

"(Fort Simpson) is pretty important and it has an important history," she said.

The Heritage Centre, once completed, will include a space on the main floor for a gallery and museum with heritage displays.

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