The RM of St. Laurent's excited about its $240,000 allotment for its Métis Heritage Centre.

"It was announced actually August 9th, and then we had a press release on Wednesday with the MP James Bezan and MLA Derek Johnston," explains Cheryl Smith, Reeve of the RM of St. Laurent. "They came to announce the $80,000 federal and provincial funding for a total of $160,000, with the RM putting in its $80,000."

She explains the Centre's Phase 1 will be the specific focus of the funding, which is a storage facility for their artifacts that were on display at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. Smith adds it's for posterity sake so future generations can enjoy their heritage.

The RM specifically applied for this funding, and as soon as details are obtained along with timelines associated with it, staff will be following up and putting out tenders. A specialized type of building is required. A feasibility study was made last year that accompanied the application, including concepts drawings and budgets. But it all must be looked at so they can determine what they can do with the money they do have.

Smith says it feels great noting it's been a long time coming. The community has been waiting for a few years to receive their displays from Washington to seize the opportunity to keep the concept alive. She says it's great that both the federal and provincial governments saw the importance to keep featuring St. Laurent's artifacts, noting they're the biggest Métis community in the country.

The Smithsonian Museum borrowed the artifacts for ten years from those in St. Laurent who owned them and donated them to the cause. These people are now holding onto them again as they wait for the Centre to be completed.