It is heartening to see some rallying around the Roche Percee revival plan.
It may be a modest one, but from small seeds, tall trees can sometimes grow.
It never fails to bemuse us how our local and regional communities have insisted on ignoring or at least giving short shrift to this rather unique piece of history right in our backyard.
The grand pierced rock, the lush valley region, the site of the North West Mounted Police march west, the Boundary Commission markers, home for famouse First Nations and Metis leaders and a natdural location for the telling of this region's energy story through a hands-on interpretative centre has fallen through our organization cracks time and time again.
Finally, a simple suggest that a long-abandoned recreational site near the historical rocks and valley might be cleaned up enough to provide some picnic space, is what we've finally grasped on to as a good idea.
We hope this is just a start to something a lot grander and a little more major in scope.
First of all, major credit has to be extended to the Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Tours and Trails Inc., who have shown insight into the dilemma and have provided a plan modest in scope, but tailored to their budget.
They have seen potential for Roche Percee in the immediate future.
The time is ripe for the rest of us to open our eyes and climb aboard to make something happen beyond a few picnic spots in a clearing.
This is a prime plum, waiting to be picked for development. We need something beyond a little green provincial sign at the side of the highway, that can't be read from a speeding vehicle, that says there is a "point of interest" somewhere off to the left or right of the highway.
Communities like Portal, North Portal, Roche Percee, Bienfait and Estevan should be encouraged to take this concept into a bold new realm. We have our civic and corporate bodies that should be invited and encouraged to get involved along with the Estevan and Area Board of Tourism, Trade and Commerce, our two existing museums, the Boundary Trail Riders and historical communities as well as regional First Nations and Metis groups.
Why can't we be telling the tales of NWMP Commanders Walsh and French who guided the Mounties through here and etched names in the Roche Percee stone while seated on their horses? Why not tell the stories of Metis leader and businessman Legare who served admirably as mediator between Chief Crazy Horse and the Mountie brass? Why not covered wagon trail rides, nightly campfire, coloured spotlights on the famous pierce rock, traditional powwow and grass dance competitions? Could we have meals featuring buffalo steaks and burgers topped off with bannock and jam? How about special campsites or accommodations with weekend specials to coincide with race dates at Estevan Motor Speedway, Souris Valley Theatre or a golf tournament at Woodlawn that also features a park and additional attractions as does another local commercial park and recreation site?
In other words, Roche Percee can continue to be that quiet, but unique, little site in the heart of a valley near the international border, much like it has been for the past 200 years. Or it can become a focal point for another reason to make Estevan and southeast Saskatchewan a destination location, a place where someone wants to come to enjoy a few days of activities amid natural surroundings.
It's your call.
