Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Red River Métis Expedition Recreates Historic Journey
After a seven day journey by dog sled Armand and Kelly Jerome arrive at the Whitemouth River near East Braintree to mark the end of leg one of their historic Red River Métis Expedition 2020 as part of Manitoba 150 celebrations. Photo by Marianne Curtis
By Marianne Curtis On February 20, about fifty supporters gathered at the end of Trail 29 on the Whitemouth River near East Braintree to meet the first leg of a historic re-creation of the Red River Métis Expedition. In honor of Manitoba’s 150th birthday Armand and Kelly Jerome plan to arrive at Upper Fort Garry on May 12 in an oxcart after this historic journey. Dubbed the Red River Métis Expedition 2020, the trek recognizes a significant point of Manitoba history. In the spring of 1870 in Manitoba Col. Garnet J. Wolseley led British troops across the Dawson Trail. Their
goal was to smother a small resistance in the Red River Colony led by Louis Riel, and bring the area into the fold of the Dominion of Canada. The events of that journey, later named the Red River Expedition, became a defining moment for the Métis nation and the soon-to-be province of Manitoba. “This expedition is the dream of my husband Armand and through the tremendous help of the wonderful people that have so graciously given their time this dream is coming together,” said Kelly. During this journey, the couple will travel along the historically accurate trail ride across the DawContinued on Page 2...
March 2020
Local Events Get Manitoba 150 Funding
The Manitoba 150 Host Committee Inc. has officially announced the list of communities and community organizations slated to receive funds through Celebrate 150. Celebrate 150 is providing $1.3 million to 85 projects across the province to help communities deliver one-time, event-based initiatives in celebration of Manitoba’s 150th anniversary in 2020. Making the list are just over a handful of festivals within the southeast region including the City of Steinbach, the RM of Ste. Anne, La Broquerie CDC, South Whiteshell Trail Association, St. Adolphe Community Club, Town of Niverville and Town of Ste. Anne. Events span a variety of initiatives including music, sports, history, art, theatre, food, film, dance, education, and multicultural programming. According to the announcement, the selected applicants reflect Manitoba, its beauty, people, culture, and history. Applicants were invited to be inclusive, diverse, and promote the involvement of all Manitobans. “We were blown away by the creativity, the sense of inclusion, and the positive response to Celebrate 150 from Manitobans. With this lineup of engaging, entertaining, and exciting events, the celebration of Manitoba’s 150th year since joining Canada is going to be epic,” stated Monique LaCoste and Stuart Murray, Co-Chairs of Manitoba 150. “We hope that people across the province will take part in the celebrations.” Manitoba 150 Host Committee said that based on the tremendous response from across the province, it’s evident that Manitobans are overflowing with ideas of how to celebrate in 2020. More than 450 submissions were received. The complete listing of Celebrate 150 funding recipients promises a full year of celebratory events across the province to commemorate Manitoba’s 150th anniversary. With a commitment to ensuring that communities in all reaches of the province have opportunities to celebrate close to home, Celebrate 150 is providing funding to initiatives across all seven regions of Manitoba. With Celebrate 150 providing partial funding for these community events, the investment in celebrations across the province is greater than $4.6 million.