Delayed by the recent wildfire, a new First Nations longhouse built behind the school in Hudson’s Hope school was finally opened and blessed at a ceremony Wednesday morning.
River of the Peace Metis society president and project manager Valerie Paice is thrilled to see the finished product.
“Our completion date was 100 days. It took 60 days to build this, 45 days for our paperwork and things like that,” said Paice.
“The fire had a lot to do with that, so we were behind because we didn’t finish up with our fire pit. That’ll be in next week, though.”
The whole concept, Paice admitted, was put together in an hour.
“This is going to be used so much and the reason it’s here in the school yard and not sitting somewhere else is because of all the activities that happen around here (nearby soccer field, etc.) but this is going to be used more for cultural activities within the school.”
“Teaching the children about the dreamcatcher, the meanings and the stories.”
The first official function will be a community BBQ Thursday night.
