Today, the Friends of Upper Fort Garry announced that the Manitoba Métis  Federation is contributing $1 million to the  Create a Future for Upper Fort  Garry campaign.  This brings their publ ic fundraising total to $5.2 million.

The gift, announced today by David Chartrand,  President of the Manitoba  Métis Federation, will go a long way towards retaining historic Upper Fort  Garry and creating an interpretive park.

We want to thank the Friends of Upper Fort Garry for their vision and hard  work led initially by former Lt. – Gov. Peter Liba, and continued by Dr. Jerry  Gray and his team,” said MMF President David Chartrand.  “The MMF had  exchanged ideas and shared a vision with Lt. – Gov. Peter Liba f or many  years.  Finally, all is coming to fruition.”

“By preserving the site we are revitalizing the spirit of our Ancestors who  created this beautiful province,” adds MMF Vice President Ron Chartrand.   “The legacy of Louis Riel and other Métis leaders wi ll remain alive here as  elsewhere throughout our province.”

Dr. Jerry Gray, Chair of the Friends of Upper Fort Garry, notes, “This gift is  tremendous.  The involvement of the Manitoba Métis Federation is such an  important and natural fit as Upper Fort Gar ry was the setting of many of the  events leading up to the Treaty between the Métis nation and Canada, and  ultimately the creation of our province.”  

These gifts join hundreds of other donations provided by Manitobans who  are eager to create a future for  Upper Fort Garry. Friends of Upper Fort  Garry has also received commitments from the Province of Manitoba and  from the Government of Canada for $1.5 million each for a total of $3  million.   The overall total raised to date is $8.2 million towards a requi rement of $10  million by the March 31, 2008 deadline.

For interviews with Friends of Upper Fort Garry, please contact:

Sandra Jones
Jones Communications
Phone:  204-772 – 9267
Cell:  204-296 – 6605