In celebration of Treaty Seven Day, the McDougall Stoney Mission Society will be hosting an artist event on the old church site. Between 10 to 12 artists will be presenting their art, created by charcoal pieces from the burnt church remains. Members from Stoney Nakoda Nation will also be selling crafts including beadwork and jewelry. “I thought it would be an important day to show how history is moving forward,” said Brenda McQueen. The church has lain in heaps of rubble, ash and charcoal for more than a year following a fire caused by arson in May 2017. After a recent cleanup of the site, and an archeological dig in July, which turned up plaques, nails and other mementos, the McDougall Society opted to hand out the charcoal to various artists in August. McQueen said the event is important to commemorate the relationship building between Cochrane and area with the Stoney Nakoda First Nation community in Morley. “It’s the two communities coming together,” McQueen said. The event is set for Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. at the old McDougall church site along Highway 1A. However, depending on the weather forecast, the society could cancel or reschedule the event and will be making updates in the days to follow.
