![]() Theme: Settler Pre-Railroad Era Vantage Points Stories (Books, Online & pdf) Vantage Point Flashbacks (Radio Broadcasts) Additional Resources ![]() ![]()
![]() Vantage Points articles are presented with links (Web) to the story on the Vantage Points Website and as print-ready PDF files. For a Radio Broadcast based on the story select the "Vantage Points Flashback" link. For more info about locations follow the "Places Link". To visit a related website follow the "Web Link" (There may be more than 1). To download a related Document click the "Document Link". ![]() Volume 1 ![]()
Turtle Mountain
Web
/ PDF
Vol.
I, Page 1
The creation, habitiation and settlement of a unique area. Whitewater Lake Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 2 The creation, habitiation and settlement of a unique area. Lauder Sandhills Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 3 The creation, habitiation and settlement of a unique area. Places Link Boundary Commission Trail Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 4 The main highway - west. Mandan Trail Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 5 The explorer LaVérendrye used the Mandan Trail on his expedition in 1738 to visit the Mandan villages along the Missouri, thus the trail quite possibly existed prior to the fur trade era. Yellow Quill Trail Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 6 The main highway - to the southwest corner. Skull Swamp Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 7 Skull Swamp is an example of the ingenuity possessed by post glacial societies in their bison hunting techniques and how they used the existing landscape to their advantage. Web Link Ther Souris Basin Fur Trade Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 8 The Souris Basin was very important in the fur trade of the 18th and 19th Centuries. Ash House Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 9 Ash House was built on the north shore of the Souris as a canoe fort. Lena House Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 10 Lena House is one of two fur trading posts which were located on Turtle Mountain, though its exact location has never been determined. John Pritchard Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 11 A Normally Competent Fur Trader Loses His Way Vantage Points Flashbacks Radio Br Fort Mr. Grant Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 12 Fort Mr. Grant was built sometime between 1824 and 1826 on the Souris River near Hartney. Fort Desjarlais Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 13 Fort Desjarlais is remembered today as the most prominent and successful of the Souris River trading posts. Places Link The Red River Cart Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 14 The cart played a huge role in the success of both the fur trade and Red River bison hunts. Métis Bison Hunts Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 15 The Red River Métis began their organised bison hunts soon after 1820. It didn't take long for the hunts to become a central feature of the Métis way of life as they provided the Métis with their principle source of income for several decades. Métis Wintering Communities Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 16 A wintering community generally consisted of hunters and their families and a few Métis fur traders. Vantage Points Flashbacks (1): Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Vantage Points Flashbacks:(2) Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources The Manitoba Land Survey Systems Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 17 The surveying of prairie land went ahead of settlement, taking no consideration for the natural contours of the landscape whatsoever. Turtle Mountain Reserve (IR60) Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 18 The Turtle Mountain Reserve became the smallest reserve in Canada, measuring only one square mile. The Boiler Trail Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 19 This trail branched off from the Boundary Commission Trail about a 2.4 kms west of Wakopa and met up with the Trail again at the Old Deloraine Land Titles Office George Morton's Ventures Web / PDF Vol. I , Page 20 He persuaded businessmen in Kingston to invest in the Morton Dairy Farm Company and received (via his business connections with John A. MacDonald the right to purchase 72 square miles (184 kms²) of land west of Whitewater Lake. Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Turtle Mountain City and Waubeesh Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 21 John Brondgeest envisioned Waubeesh becoming a thriving settlement, and by 1884, it was indeed a chief commercial centre for the region along with Old Deloraine. Newcomb's Hollow Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 23 The first Land Titles Office in the Turtle Mountain area was a solitary tent that was set up in August of 188 Old Deloraine Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 24 After the Land Titles Office was established at the edge of Turtle Mountain (by George F. Newcomb), the area began bustling with activity. Moberly Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 26 The Lakeside Resort That Never Was Grande Clairière Convent Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 29 The beginning of the Grande Clairière Convent was marked in 1898 when Father J. Gaire, the parish priest from Grande Clairière, was visiting the family of one of his parishioners in France. Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Places Link Dunseith Trail Web / PDF Vol. I, Page 35 The prohibition of beverage alcohol in the early 1900s paved the way for one of the area's most colourful chapters of thrill and intrigue. ![]() Volume 2 ![]() Rise of the Métis Identity Web / PDF Vol. II, Page 6 Vantage Points Flashbacks Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Working for Pay & Trapping PDF Vol. II, Page 11 - 13 Harvesting & Hunting PDF Vol. II, Page 14 - 20 Traditional Foods, Holidays & Celebrations, Recreation, and the Red River Jig PDF Vol. II, Page 21-26 Goods and Stores, Transportation, Communication, Healthcare PDF Vol. II, Page 27 - 31 Brockinton Site Web / PDF Vol. II Page 33 The Brockinton archaeological site is located along the Souris River valley wall south of Melita. This site was occupied by three different cultures over the last 1600 years. These occupations left behind rare and archaeologically invaluable finds. During this site's earliest occupation, it was used as a bison pound. Places Link Web Link Sourisford Linear Burial Mounds Web / PDF Vol. 2, Page 36 Artifacts from these thousand year-old burial mounds indicate the trade relations that existed upon the plains before convenient modes of transportation. Web Link Manchester to Melita / Web / PDF Vol. II, Page 37 The most successful of the Sourisford communities Assiniboine (Nakota) Web / PDF Vol. II, Page 47 The Assiniboine were once a Nation that occupied a territory that spanned the prairie provinces (including southwestern Manitoba) and parts of the northern United States. Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Dakota Claim in Canada Web / PDF Vol. II Page 48 Unlike other First Nations in Canada, the Dakota did not sign treaties with the Canadian government. Because of this they are still fighting for acknowledgment of their Aboriginal title. Vantage Points Flashbacks Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources ![]() Volume 3 ![]() Mammoth
Tusk
Web
/ PDF
Vol.
III, Page 8
This find is one of only eight proboscidean discoveries in Manitoba and one of three tusks, the other finds being teeth. Bison Rubbing Stone Web / PDF Vol. III Page 9 In an era where herds of bison are but a memory, the bison rubbing stones remind us of a time well passed . . . Vantage Points Flashbacks Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources The Souris River Web / PDF Vol. III, Page 10 Mullett Site Web / PDF Vol. III, Page 12 The period of the site’s occupation likely stretches from the Besant Period (BCE 500 to AD 750) right up to the pre-contact era. Lauder Sandhills Web / PDF Vol. III, Page 13 10,000 BC - Present) The unique environment provided by the Lauder Sandhills attracted bison, which appealed to the early peoples who came to camp and live there. Places Link Snyder II Site Web / PDF Vol. III Page 15 The Snyder II Archaeological site is on the bank of the Gainsborough Creek just half a kilometer west of its junction with the Souris River. T Dand Stone Features / Web / PDF Vol. III Page 16 The purpose behind these mysterious and unique features may never be determined The American Fort Web / PDF Vol. III, Page 17 The American Fur Company’s attempt to lay claim to the furs along the Souris River - about 1810 - 1828 Numbered Treaties in Manitoba Web / PDF Vol. III, Page 18 Southern Manitoba was included in the signing of Treaty 1 and 2 in 1871 between local First Nations and the government of Canada. This event marked a major shift in land use on the prairies. Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Métis Intermediaries Web / PDF Vol. III, Page 20 Métis interpreters, present during the signing of Canada’s early Numbered Treaties and an integral part of the Boundary Commission Survey, were more than mere translators – they were peacekeepers and diplomats. Eva McKay: The Dakota Experience Web / PDF Vol. III Page 22 Retelling History: Elder, healer and activist Eva McKay tells of the gross misinterpretation of history as it describes her people Old Wakopa Web / PDF Vol. III, Page 24 The first “stopping place” for settlers heading west Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Places Link Old Melita Trail / Web / PDF Vol. I , Page 25 It is likely that the trail was first created by the surveyors who travelled the area between 1879 and 1880, marking out the land into townships (blocks of 36 square miles). Lake Max Sawmill Web / PDF Vol.III , Page 26 In 1880 Mr Bolton established a sawmill on the shore of Lake Max. The next year, entrepreneur George Morton bought the sawmill and used it to produce lumber for nearly every building in the then thriving village of Whitewater. Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources All Saint's Church Web / PDF Vol. III, Page 32 The All Saint’s Church and Cemetery served as a landmark and community centre for over 30 years before the numbers in the parish could no longer support it. ![]() Volume 4 ![]() Dreaming Up Dobbyn City Web / PDF Vol. IV, Page 8 This "Speculative" or "Paper" City" was planned near what wouild become Melita during the Manitoba Boom. Its owner/promoter soon turned to other, more successful, ventures. Places Link Melgund - Almost a Village Web / PDF Vol. IV , Page 9 Before Hartney and Lauder beame villages, Melgund was on the map. Although it never became a centre of commerce, it did endure as acommunity. How to Build a "Soddy" Web / PDF Vol. IV , Page 13 Soddies were the ultimate in low-cost housing. Sam Heaslip - The "Stage Coach" Mailman Web / PDF Vol. IV, Page 17 In the early 1880’s the main road from Old Deloraine to Brandon was the Heaslip Trail named for Sam Heaslip who established the trail and used it to deliver the mail. The Halfway House Web / PDF Vol. IV, Page 21 When you discover that your homestead happens to be in the right location, and you don’t mind some company from time to time, why not go into the business? Waskada's Blacksmith: Ren Amos Web / PDF Vol. IV, Page 23 Over a span of half a century, Ren operated his blacksmith shop. He had to rebuild it twice. His wife often helped him in the shop and together they lived and worked through countless changes in agricultural methods. Mrs. Weightman Comes to Canada Web / PDF Vol. IV, Page 32 Mrs. Weightman, a widow from Berwickshire, in northern England, and her children, arrived at their homestead in the spring of 1882 after a fifty-six day journey from Edinburgh, Scotland. Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Mary Hathway's Homestead Web / PDF Vol. IV, Page 34 Mary’s brother-in-law, Reverend Davies, drove her to the Land Titles Office where a long lineup stood waiting for opening time. Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Cricket Anyone? : The Waubeesh English Settlement Web / PDF Vol. IV, Page 38 There were many attempts in Western Canada for groups from Britain to duplicate the sort of life they were used to in their home country. Chief Inkpaduta Web / PDF Vol. IV, Page 39 We may never be sure which way to see Inkpaduta, but we can be fairly certain that while in Canada, he lived a peaceful life. Sitting
Eagle Web
/ PDF
Vol.
IV, Page 40
He and his Grandfather H'damani were among the few who declined a $200 government pay-off to relocate to a reserve near Pipestone. By 1909, only H’damani, his grandson Chaske (later known as Sitting Eagle) and a few others remained. Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Br Walter Thomas - Against All Odds Web / PDF Vol. IV, Page 42 t was in late March 1880. A spell of warm weather had melted much of the snow, when Walter set out for Winnipeg to get more provisions. Vantage Points Flashbacks Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Walter Thomas - Kitchen Table Surgery Web / PDF Vol. IV, Page 43 He learned later that it was fortunate that muzzle was close to the arm and the flame from it burned the flesh and arteries so that very little blood escaped. Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Places Link ![]() Volume 5 ![]() The Souris
Plains in
1491
Web
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Vol.
V, Page 1
What was life like on the Souirs Plains before the Europeans arrived? It was interesting and by any measure, the home to many very successful civilizations. Vantage Points Flashbacks Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Web Link 1 Web Link 2 Who Were the First Farmers on the Plains? Web / PDF Vol. V, Page 2 Ongoing archealogical research south of Melita is providing additional information about pre-contact agricultural activitiy in our region Vantage Points Flashbacks: Radio Broadcast | Illustrated Text | Resources Web Link At the Butterfield Post Office Web / PDF Vol. V, Page 13 The first Post Office and Stopping Place in the far southwestern reaches of Manitoba was called Butterfield. Places The Two Desfords Web / PDF Vol. V, Page 14 The Desford community began in the late 1870's along the Old Commission Trail about twelve kilometres south- southeast of Boissevain. The Neighbourhood Lime Kiln Web / PDF Vol. V, Page 25 To prepare for a burn, stones were placed in the kiln leaving an arch at the bottom to hold the fire. The process took three days to re- duce the limestone to powder. ![]() ![]()
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![]() Sourisford: The History of a River Crossing ![]() Vantage Points Copyright © Turtle Mountain–Souris Plains Heritage Association. |