Metepenagiag First Nation opens heritage park
Economic benefits and renewed pride, says chief
ANew Brunswick First Nations community is putting its history on display with the official opening ofthe Metepenagiag Heritage Park Wednesday.
Metepenagiag chief Noah Augustine said the park, outsideSunny Corner in the Miramichi area, will bring economic benefits to the community and rebuild a sense of pride that's too often missing among his people.
"It has so much meaning in so many different ways that it's hard to describe and you'll see it on the faces of the people in my community. You'll see a whole rejuvenation of pride and spirit."
Most of the funding for the facility, which includes an ascending wall made of rock that runs the entire length of the interpretation centre, came from an $8.5-million grant from the federal government.
The floors are laid in tile that imitates the winding Miramichi River, visible through the trees outside the building.
The building is already winning praise.
"For 35 years I've been wishing for a museum but I had no idea it was going to turn out this beautiful. This is a nice facility," said band member Madeline Augustine.
Augustine is the daughter of Joseph Augustine, who discovered the Augustine Mound,a burial ground and ancient campsite that the park commemorates. Both are designated as national heritage sites.
The park offers an exhibit hall and boutique where locally handcrafted Mi'kmaq items will be sold, and walking trails around the mound and campsite.