Bridge a testimony to Prinz’s spirit

Many dignitaries gathered to officially cut the ribbon to open the bridge. In the front row, left-right, are East Prairie Metis Settlement chair Louis Haggerty, Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pearl Calahasen, Aboriginal Relations Deputy Minster Maria David Evans and Metis Settlements General Council president Gerald Cunningham.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

It was a bittersweet day for members of Victor Prinz’s family Sept. 30 as over 150 people gathered to celebrate the opening of a new bridge named in his memory at Baker’s Crossing. Emotions reached its height when Prinz’s ashes were carried across the Victor Prinz Bridge by his family. A short time later, the family drove the ashes home across the bridge. Everyone agreed it was appropriate to let Prinz be the first to cross the bridge in a vehicle. “Victor, who was always on my ass - er, rear - wouldn’t let go,” said Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pearl Calahasen. “He wanted this bridge built. He’d go after the ministry. He’d go after the government. Because of him we couldn’t forget the bridge. “Today, he sees the finished project,” added Calahasen. “What he’d seen and what he wanted.” The bridge at Baker’s Crossing caught fire during repairs Feb. 20, 2003 and burnt. Prinz and many others fought many years to see the bridge rebuilt. It took 2,056 days to replace the bridge, built at a cost of $4,496,525 plus GST, by Graham Industrial Services. The key reason for replacing the bridge was it took many residents 30-40 minutes longer to go south, then drive around the settlement to the Highway 2 intersection. The extra time on the bus for students and inconvenience to access services in High Prairie took its toll on East Prairie residents in time and expense. Calahasen said many partnerships were forged to complete the bridge including the M.D. of Big Lakes, Government of Alberta, East Prairie Metis Settlement and the Metis Settlements General Council in Edmonton. “What do I say about a project that took everyone?” she said. “People felt there was really a need for a bridge. A lot of people were involved in this … lots of people were key.” General Council president Gerald Cunningham also paid tribute to Prinz. “Unfortunately, the Great Spirit called him to do other things. He’s smiling down upon us today. It means our community will have two accesses and two escape routes from our community.” Cunningham also thanked Calahasen. “We don’t know all the work she did but she did a lot.” He also presented Ken L’Hirondelle Sr. with a Metis sash for his efforts. He was also recognized with Prinz for his determination in seeing the project come to fruition. “I think it’s an absolutely great day,” said Big Lakes Reeve Alvin Billings. “It’s an example of a lot of parties getting together to get something done. We’re just proud to be a part of it.” East Prairie Metis Settlement chair Louis Haggerty agreed. “Our members in the community pushed hard to get this done,” he said. “(Victor) was very adamant this bridge will be here. I know it was a tough go. It took five years but we’re here.” Haggerty added it was only fitting the bridge be named in honour of Prinz before presenting Billings with a Metis sash. A short prayer and ceremony occurred after speeches before Prinz’s ashes were escorted across the bridge.

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