A record-breaking cultural landmark will find a new home in Flin Flon if a local group has its way.
The Building Student Success with Aboriginal Parents committee hopes to partner with the City of Flin Flon to relocate the World’s Largest Tipi from Cranberry Portage.
“We believe this would be a wonderful asset to our community,” the committee’s Leslie Dubinak and Jill Rideout wrote in a letter to city council earlier this year.
It most certainly would. Not only would the massive tipi bring another major tourist draw to our area, it would also pay homage to Flin Flon’s deep Aboriginal roots and influence.
Reflected
Though Flin Flon has a large and growing Aboriginal population, this compelling culture is not sufficiently reflected in the attractions for which Flin Flon is known.
The tipi, with a diametre of nearly 70 feet and a height of almost 60 feet, would fill this void with appropriate immensity.
Though the tipi was first erected in Cranberry Portage in 2007, that community is no longer able to care for the colossal tent.Indeed it has been years since its immense canvass was draped over the towering wooden poles near the shore of Lake Athapap.
The tipi deserves a second chance in Flin Flon, especially since relatively few resources are required to relocate and maintain it.
Civic leaders and everyday residents should get behind the effort to bring the tipi to town.
