A fire destroyed the Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre on Friday, April 15th – one of the main meeting places for the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC).

The center was also the home of the First Nations Cadet Corps Program which held regular cadet practices there every Wednesday. Over the years the cadets were able to build up the supplies and equipment needed to run the program. Unfortunately, all equipment, lockers, uniforms, training aids and banners were lost in the fire. Cadet leader, Rick Sanderson is working to find alternate locations to conduct classes and hopes to start plans to replace items lost and to get the program up to full strength again.

Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said the PAGC is heartbroken after losing such an important building and main hub.

“We are heartbroken to lose one of the most iconic buildings of the Prince Albert Grand Council. The building is named after our late Elder and decorated veteran Senator Allan Bird of Montreal Lake Cree Nation,” Hardlotte said in a statement. “It had the reputation as the main gathering place for many of our community events. But it has been more than a meeting spot. It has also represented the home of our government for our 12-member Nations, and it has been a site where we have honored many of our leaders over the years.”