A new exhibit is about to open at the Fort St. James Historic Site.
"Strangers and Swan's Down" will be ready for the public on Sept. 1 when Mtis Culture Day is held at the Parks Canada site, 152 km west of Prince George.
Located in the site's visitor reception centre, it tells the story of the first contacts and new connections made between the fur traders and indigenous people at Fort St James, which became the headquarters of the New Caledonia trade district in the 19th century.
The multi-media displays also draw new attention to the story of the presence and contributions of the Mtis people on the Pacific slope.
Mtis and Nak'azdli community stakeholders worked with Parks Canada project managers, historians, exhibit designers and carpenters to develop the exhibit after it was decided the site's previous exhibits needed to be updated.
It features a new fish tank with freshwater species representative of Stuart Lake, a family history wall depicting the story of fur trader A.C. Murray and his wife Mary Bird, new display cases filled with artifacts dating from pre-contact days to the 20th century, a dress-up component featuring historical costumes, and a resource corner of books and photos on Fort St. James history.
A grand opening will be held at 10:30 a.m.
