HTFC Planning & Design worked with the community of Rainy River First Nations (RRFN) in the fifteen-year development of the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre. The Manitou Mounds are the largest concentration of burial mounds in Canada and Rainy River First Nations are the owners/operators of this site. HTFC worked closely with the community to develop both the site and the interior exhibits to tell the story of this internationally significant site and the story of the Ojibway people. The firm’s responsibilities included the design and development of the site with its trail system, interpretive signs, tipi village and interpretive centre.
As well, HTFC were the designers and project managers for the extensive exhibits within the building. The firm worked with the community to articulate their stories, designed the exhibits, managed the project and coordinated the implementation of the exhibits as well as assisting in fundraising for the centre. This project received a Regional Citation at the 2005 Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) Awards. In 2013, HTFC were contracted by RRFN to develop a business plan for the ongoing operation and management of Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre. The business plan addressed governance of the Centre, marketing, potential partnering for tourism and education programming, and a review of the conditions of the building, exhibits and the site for repair and upgrading.