The province was the fifth to become part of the country of Canada in 1870 and its capital city, Winnipeg, is it’s largest. 

Over one-fifth of the land is still forestry. The Canadian Shield covers three-fifths of the province (north and east regions), which helps to account for the rockier and water-filled terrain in the province. 

 What kind of animals are native to the province? Well, it’s a fairly lengthy list: caribou, arctic foxes, lynx, otters, wolves, martens, deer, moose, cougars, elk, black bears, coyotes, and polar bears and Beluga Whales along the Hudson Bay (this is about half the list). Between 1870 and 1900 the population surged with immigrants moving in, many of which were Scottish farmers, as well as German-speaking Mennonites and Icelanders.

FIRST NATIONS

The Indigenous have lived on the land for thousands of years, their history has shown there has been considerable migration throughout the continent. 

Manitoba is home to the Cree, Dakota, Dene, Anishinaabe, Chipewyan, Assiniboine and Ojibwa and Oji-Cree; and Inuit (the United States refers to them as Eskimos). It is also the homeland of the Métis, who have a rather particular culture unto themselves. 

 Many of these groups migrated in 10,000 to 13,000 BCE. There’s also historical evidence indicating they had trade routes stemming down to the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Coast.   Rather than agriculture, the First Nations were predominantly hunters in this region, including moose, caribou, beavers and beers. Buffalo were used for food, clothing, shelter and tools by those of the plains area. 

 The fur trade began picking up in the 1700s and two main European companies were formed: The Hudson’s Bay Company (1670) and then The Northwest Company (1783). They officially amalgamated in 1821. By participating in the fur trade, the Indigenous culture was forever altered, changing their territories, and social and economic patterns. Not only that, but smallpox ran across their population in 1871. Without any immunity to the sickness, their people were decimated by nine-tenths (estimated).

Just because you see one, doesn’t mean you should disturb it. These tiny elves are generally very nice, but they can be little buggers when disrespected. Summer = beach time! Because of the location, Gimli is the perfect place to soak up some rays of sun and splash in the water. 

Visitors can rent any number of items to get out on the water, from kayaks to canoes, paddleboarding to powerboating, fishing or even kite boarding. Winter = ice fishing. Depending on the time of year you choose to travel, your destination here may be more welcoming on top of the water, fishing through a large hole in the ice. If you want something a touch more exhilarating, you must join the cars on their ice racetrack! Learn how to weave your way through tough winter terrain with experienced drivers and teachers.