The Rural Municipality of Minitonas is located in the Parkland region of Manitoba, and is approximately 300 kilometres northwest of Manitoba's second largest city, Brandon. The municipality is nestled north of Duck Mountain Provincial Park, and just south of Porcupine Provincial Park, some of Manitoba's most beautiful parks. Fertile agricultural cropland in the R.M. meets natural rolling prairie grasslands and forests that are native to the region. The municipality's largest centre is the town of Minitonas, which is known as the "Northern Gateway" to Duck Mountain, since it is only 13 kilometres north of the Provincial Park. The town itself is known to have some of the "most friendliest" people in Manitoba. Other communities in the municipality include Renwer, Sevick and Bowsman. The municipality is also just a few kilometres east of the region's largest town of Swan River.
History
Historically, the rich agricultural lands, and the construction of the railway line through the municipality, led to much of Minitonas being settled. The town of Minitonas can boast being the first settlement in the Swan River Valley. Anticipating the extension of the railway line through the area, a group of settlers (mosty of Anglo-Saxon descent) created a makeshift village to entice the railway to pass through the area.
The town of Minitoans was originally known as "Tent Town". The town provided all the amenities of a normal town of the era. Boasting a land titles office, immigration halls, churches and a schoolroom for children, "Tent Town" quickly disappeared once the railway surveyed the new villages of Minitonas and Swan River in 1899. Logging has also had a strong history in the region. Because of its geographic location in rich parkland forests, entrepeneurs found it necessary to establish small sawmills to meet the needs of Minitonas' growing communities. Saw companies such as T.A. Burrows, and Coverly's have had a large presence in the region, which still has a very strong forest industry. In 1920, a second wave of immigrants descended into Minitonas, mostly of Czechoslovakian, Ukrainian, German and Slavic descent. The municipality is truly a rich cultural mosaic of people and heritage.
Economic Base
Minitonas' economy focuses very much around logging, agriculture, service and tourist industries. The majority of the Minitonas' residents are either directly or indirectly employed in these areas. One of the most prominent employers is the Louisiana Pacific Oriented Strand Board plant, located in the town of Minitonas, which employs approximately 450 employees in the field, administration and plant itself. Swan Valley Meat Packers and Valley Livestock Sales and Auction, are also prominent agricultural services in the area that employ approximately 10 and 20 employees respectively. Stewart Concrete is another prominent employer. The town of Minitonas' largest employer is in the public service sector. The Swan River School division employs approximately 20 of the town residents, with an elementary and intermediate school in Minitonas, and an elementary school in Bowsman. The town has a wide range of employers, including a grain elevator, and professional services such as cabinetmakers and a local bank. The Minitonas Community Store is another prominent employer, meeting the hardware, grocery and appliance needs of the community's residents. Hunting outfitters are also prominent through the municipality, ready to provide equipment and advice on your hunting trips to the Duck or Porcupine Provincial Parks. Minitonas is a good place to set up a business, with many serviced commercial and residential sites available.
Major Attractions
When in Minitonas, visit the site of "Tent town", a commemorative cairn near the town of Minitonas that marks the exact location of this historic settlement. The rustic Holmstead's Emporium displays many era antique and collectibles, and provides a summer's treat of hand dipped ice cream for hungry appetites. Porcupine and Duck Mountain parks will pull you for some serious rest and relaxation, or excellent hunting and fishing. Wellman Lake lodge in Duck Mountain Provincial Park and Whitefish Lake in Porcupine Provincial Park are popular locations to visit for their beaches and campgrounds.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
The friendly people of Minitonas have many wonderful activities such as the Fall Horticulture Society's Annual Fruit Festival in September. The downtown Christmas Party in December and hockey tournaments in winter will help you warm up from winter's cold. The Village of Bowsman and other communities, have their own fair share of fall suppers and holiday celebrations. The Annual 4-H Achievement Awards show in April is an event that all should not miss.
