McDougall Church Fire & Restoration Process
The Fire
Early in the morning on May 22 2017 the McDougall Memorial United Church was set ablaze. Most of the building and artifacts inside were consumed by the fire. However, the MSMS was able to salvage the logs used to build the church. Local investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally set, but as of summer 2020 no charges have been laid.
Here's some links to news articles about the fire:
The Calgary Hearld reports that MSMS immediately suspected arson
Rocky Mountain Outlook confirms the fire was intentionally set
CBC Reports on the questions of cause
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The Application to Rebuild
In 2019 the MSMS applied to the district of Bighorn to rebuild the historic church. Community interests were allowed to submit opposition. The Nakoda Nation opposed the decision. In February 2020 the district council had a meeting that was attended by a lawyer for the nation, the MSMS president Brenda McQueen, and several community members from the ghost watershed and Morley.
Here's the documents that the MSMS used to make their case that they should be allowed to rebuild:
1999 Settlement Agreement info
Email from Alberta Department of Historic Places
Letters sent to Stoney C&C from MSMS and their lawyers
(First?) letter to Stoney C&C from MSMS's lawyers
Permit for redevelopment from Alberta Transportation
Alberta Historic Places Listing
BC Supreme Court Decision (that MSMS feels is similar issue)
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Rebuilding process
The church and the MSMS has been in the news several times over the rebuilding process. Here are some links to news items about the rebuild. As a warning to readers, some of them focus only on the perspective of MSMS, and privilege the emotional value of the site to the McDougall descendants, and the historic value to settler history, above any Îethka perspectives or concerns.
Video from Global news about the rebuild
Video from Global about the appeal from the Nation
Article from the Cochrane Eagle with overview of appeal and objection
Set of three articles from the St. Albert Gazette about the appeal and objection
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In 2020 the Nakoda Nation asked the courts to stop the redevelopment permit, they request was denied. You can read about that here.
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These are just a sample of the resources available about the McDougall Church Fire and restoration. Many more are available from different news outlets.
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