PELLY — In efforts to promote Canadian tourism, the federal government announced a new incentive starting June 20. The Canada Strong Pass offers free admission to national parks, national historic sites and marine conservation areas maintained by Parks Canada.
The program, which runs until Sept. 2, follows a Liberal campaign promise to encourage domestic travel in response to the United States' tariff war.
The media release stated, “There is no physical 'Canada Strong Pass' or registration required — visitors can just show up at participating locations.” Fort Pelly Livingstone is one of these locations, as is the National Doukhobor Heritage Village at Veregin.
Commemorating both Fort Pelly and Fort Livingstone — each designated as a National Historic Site by Parks Canada — the Fort Pelly Livingstone Museum holds decades of history.
Did you know Fort Livingstone initially served as the government seat of the North-West Territories and was the controversial first barracks of the North-West Mounted Police, as outlined in an earlier story on SASKTODAY.ca?
Fort Pelly was a prominent Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading outpost. Both sites played significant roles during a key period of colonial and Canadian history.
Galleries in the museum pay homage to these colonial fur traders, law enforcement personnel and the area's First Nations history.
Multiple displays highlight pivotal events and people in the history of the Village of Pelly.
A devastating fire in 2015, located in the old high school building, razed the former museum location and resulted in the loss of priceless artifacts. The museum has since relocated to its present venue — the former Pelly RCMP barracks.
Both historic forts are within eight kilometres of present-day Pelly.
The museum consists of three buildings: the RCMP barracks, an Anglican church and a train station. This historic venue features a range of artifacts from the early days of both Fort Pelly and Fort Livingstone. The two-storey brick building was completed in 1912, while the wood-frame railway station was moved to the site in 1979.
Fort Livingstone is also well known for its spring emergence of thousands of garter snakes, which gather on warm sunny days and migrate toward nearby boulders.
A museum spokesperson said they face similar challenges to other community museums, including low visitor interest and attendance. Funding cuts also continue to pose difficulties.
The Village of Pelly and Pelly Museum plan to complete two community beautification projects in the spring and summer of 2025.
Funding for these projects was generously provided by Kyle Korneychuk, as well as Danaye and Douglas Yarycky.
The museum told the Kamsack Times, “The first project will consist of construction of a 12x16 post and beam pavilion. The building will house the Pelly Museum’s Red River Cart. The project utilizes reclaimed cedar beams and a metal-clad roof.”
The second project involves the construction of a 12x16 pergola, to be located at Pelly Heritage Park and incorporated into the Memorial Park. People may purchase a tree to honour someone in the Memorial Garden by contacting the village office.
Volunteers are being enlisted to assist with construction. The museum is thankful to Kim Off for preparing the grounds for the perennial gardens in 2024. Doug Kabatof and Robert Dercatch also played a big role. The former Coffee House Organization was an early donor to the Memorial Garden project.
Other proposed projects include a large mural and installation of park benches within the community.
Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Donald Budz at the Village of Pelly.
The 2025 calendar of events at the Fort Pelly – Fort Livingstone Museum includes a request from museum committee members and volunteers: “We are asking that you attend our scheduled events to ensure that the museum remains relevant to the community.”
Several events have already taken place this year, including a Mother’s Day brunch and a blacksmith demonstration on the museum’s opening day.
Upcoming events include a church service on July 6, followed by coffee and dainties at the historic St. Alban’s Church in Pelly.
Everyone is invited to an Indigenous celebration on July 19, which will highlight all aspects of Indigenous culture.
There will also be activity at the museum on Aug. 9 and 10. Residents and visitors are encouraged to check the museum’s social media and posters for details.
Closing day for the museum is Sept. 6, and a fall supper will be served to celebrate another successful season.
