Dawson Trail Arts and Heritage Tour
Receives Governor General’s History Award
The Dawson Trail Arts and Heritage Tour has been named a 2025 recipient of the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Community Programming, one of Canada’s most prestigious honours recognizing innovative approaches to public history.
The award recognizes the multiyear, community-led initiative of the Musée Dawson Trail Museum, which reclaims the hidden and often repressed history of the Dawson Trail—the first all-Canadian, all-weather route linking Fort William near present-day Thunder Bay, Ont., to the Red River Colony, now Winnipeg.
The Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Community Programming honours projects that foster meaningful public engagement with the past. The 2025 laureates received their awards from Governor General Mary Simon at a ceremony in Ottawa. Each recipient received a $2,500 prize. The award is administered by Canada’s National History Society.
Spanning 120 kilometres, the self-guided Dawson Trail Arts and Heritage Tour features 15 bilingual interpretive markers and eight art installations, supported by a comprehensive website. The
continued on page 3...
Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, with Pierrette Sherwood and Mireille Lamontagne from Musée Dawson Trail Museum.
Photo courtesy of Louis Dubé, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2026
Crib Club Corner
Richer’s Crib Club meets at the Young at Hearts Hall regularly.
$5 admission, no partner required. Free coffee & snacks.
Starts at 7pm
2026 SCHEDULE
Feb 10, 24
Mar 10, 24
April 7, 21
May 12
June 9
July 14
Aug 11
Sept 8, 22
Oct 6, 20
Nov 3, 17
Dec 1, 15, 29
Richer Crib Club met on Tuesday, December 30th and we had a great turnout of 8 full tables! It was a last minute thing, but a lot of people wanted to play, surprisingly! And pizza for snacks too! Our winners of the evening were Denise Dyck in first place, Norm Burnell in second, and Luc Lanouette in third. Gerry Sabot got the
dimes for fourth place, while Dave Haroldson won the Booby prize. And somehow, we had three 50/50 winners, Danielle Gregoire, Gail Fraser and Gerry Sabot. Congratulations to all our winners.
We met again on January 13th, and we had a great time! Tim Poseluzney won the evening, while Claire Logan took second place and Gail Fraser got third place. George Dupuis got the dimes for fourth place and Norm Burnell won the Booby prize. Our two 50/50 draws went to Gerry Sabot and Frank Dawson.
And then on January 27th, we met once more, and considering how cold it was, we had a decent turnout. Regina Konge won the evening, with Mike Pelletier coming in second, and Roger Chenier bringing in third. Luc Lanouette too the dimes for fourth place, and Art Bergmann took the booby prize. Both 50/50’s were won by Claude Caron.
Congratulations to all our
winners! Our next tournament will be Tuesday February 10th at the Young at Hearts Club, at 7 p.m. sharp. It’s a great evening out, so we hope to see you all there then! Remember, we meet at the Young at Hearts Club every two weeks, entry fee is still only $5 per person, snacks and coffee are always free, and we have a lot of fun!
EnRicher deadline: Monday, March 2 is the deadline for the March 2026 edition submissions.
continued from page 1...
trail crosses the Canadian Shield and follows an ancient route that predates the road’s construction by 4,000 years, passing through Anishinaabe, Anishinaabe-Ininiwuk, Nehiyaw, Dakota, Nakota and Red River Métis ancestral lands.
While the Dawson Trail is often associated with British and Canadian troops sent to suppress the Red River Resistance of 1869–70, the Arts and Heritage Tour centres Indigenous histories, traditional place names and the experiences of francophone communities along the route. The project presents a broader understanding of the trail’s role in colonization and its lasting impacts.
“The Dawson Trail Arts and Heritage Tour is a powerful example of how our understanding of Canada’s past is deepened and enriched when we include as many perspectives as possible,” said Melony Ward, president and CEO of Canada’s National History Society.
ADVERTISE in the EnRicher
Display Business Ads cost per issue:
1” x 1 column - $12
2” x 1 column - $19
4” x 1 column - $32
2” x 2 column - $32
Front Banner - $65
1/4 Page - $58
1/2 Page - $97
Full Page - $180
Mireille Lamantagne and Pierrette Sherwood to some time following the formal GG Awards programming to visit the Library and Archives Canada to tackle some further research. Here they are examining one of the maps they had never seen before.
Photo by Monique Sherwood
Developed through extensive archival research and the collection of oral histories from volunteers, Elders and artists, the initiative involved broad consultation and partnerships across multiple jurisdictions to ensure historical accuracy, inclusive representation and cultural appropriateness.
Project founder and creative di-
Multiple booking discounts: 6 issues (save 10%) OR 12 issues (save 20%)
Birthdays! Special Days! Garage Sales! Classified Ads are $5 each up to 25 words, extra words are 20 cents each.
For ads or news stories contact Dan at enricher@simplyconnected.ca or (204) 355-8798.
The EnRicher is published as a service by the Richer Community Club Inc.
The Dawson Trail Museum congratulates Pierrette Sherwood and Mireille Lamontagne as they were chosen for the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Community Programming, honours innovative projects that encouraged greater public interest and encouragement in the past. Pierrette and Mireille received their awards from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada at a ceremony on January 27th in Ottawa.
We also would like to thank the eight Municipalities, Indigenous partners, cultural organizations, volunteers and the steering committee of nearly twenty people for the five year project. What an accomplishment everyone.
rector Pierrette Sherwood said the award validates the team’s efforts to tell a fuller story of the trail, while research curator Mireille Lamontagne noted the project revealed unexpected connections, including links to Western Canada’s first labour strike and the negotiations of Treaties 1 and 3.
Described as a model for community-led heritage programming, the Dawson Trail Arts and Heritage Tour leaves a lasting cultural, educational and economic legacy while advancing the goals of truth and reconciliation.
More information is available at www.dawsontrailtreasures.ca.
Pierrette Sherwood and Mireille Lamontagne talk about the massive project they led, and the discovery of a more accurate narrative of the region.
RM of Ste. Anne Receives $1.7 Million Provincial Investment to Restore Fire Services
The Rural Municipality of Ste. Anne is receiving a $1.7-million investment from the Manitoba government to restore and strengthen local fire services.
The funding will support a major restoration project for the RM of Ste. Anne Fire Department, reinforcing critical emergency services and helping ensure public safety in a rapidly growing rural community.
A bilingual municipality, the RM of Ste. Anne has experienced significant population growth in recent years. Between 2016 and 2021, its population increased by 12 per cent—more than double the provincial average of five per cent. Municipal officials say the investment addresses both the opportunities and pressures associated with that growth by ensuring emergency services keep pace with rising demand.
“This $1.7-million investment will help the RM of Ste. Anne Fire Department upgrade essential vehicles and equipment, strengthening emergency response for our rural community and the many travellers who rely on the Trans-Canada Highway that runs through our municipality,” said Reeve Richard Pelletier. “We appreciate the Manitoba government’s recognition of the critical role rural emergency services play in keeping people safe.”
Pelletier said the municipality has consulted with local fire chiefs to develop a preliminary list of equipment and service needs, but final priorities have yet to be determined. Potential projects include new wells, fire trucks, grassland firefighting equipment, and fire hall replacements or upgrades. The municipality will have three years to allocate the funding.
“Our government is committed to ensuring every community in Manitoba has the tools and infrastructure needed to protect residents when it matters most,” said Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard. “These investments strengthen front-line fire services and enhance emergency response capacity across Manitoba.”
The Richer Community Club Facebook page has over 3,000 followers! Like, Share and Follow our page!
Every Monday Night!
SPMF BINGO at the
Richer Young at Hearts Hall
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Museum Meeting
The Dawson Trail Museum will resume their monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 10 at the Young at Heart at 1:30 pm.
Richer Community Club & Richer Recreation Committee meetings...
Wednesday, Feb 11, 7:30 pm at the Richer Young at Hearts Hall.
Beaded Fringe Earrings or key chain workshop
Join us at the Richer Young at Hearts Hall on Saturday, February 14th, 1–4 PM!
Give that crafty person on your list the gift of crafting there very own earrings or key chain.
Just in time for Valentine gifting for yourself or someone you love!!!
Learn how to design and create your own beautiful beaded fringe earrings using Czech seed beads. Choose from studs, hooks, D-hooks, or clip-ons or a D-ring key chain — all supplies are included!
Cost: $50 per person
SAVE $25 if you live in Richer, the RM of Ste.
Anne or Richer East! The Richer Recreation Committee will pay half your fee when registering! Spaces are limited — come enjoy a fun, creative afternoon! To register email: lovemyarts@outlook.com Brought to you by the Richer Recreation Committee.
Dinner and Dance
The next Richer Young At Hearts Dinner and Dance is scheduled for Feb 21 with music by Gemstars. Doors open at 4:30 pm, Dinner is at 6 pm with dancing until 11 pm. Tickets are $30 per person. Contact Ron @ 431 275 0874 for tickets or information.
Heartfelt
Lunch
February 25 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Richer Young at Hearts Hall. Soup and Sandwich lunch for only a $5 suggested donation.
Rec Hockey
Saturdays at the Premier Tech Multiplex in the Richer Dawson Trail Park. Ages 4-6 scheduled for 8 am to 9 am, ages 7-11 scheduled for 9 am to 10 am, ages 12-15 scheduled from 10 am to 11 am.
Fall/Winter Active 55+
Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 9 pm at the Richer School. Pickleball, bean bag toss and ladderball. Also yoga ( 6:30 pm - 7 pm) and strength training (7 pm - 8 pm) ! Activities are FREE! (Please note: Cancelled during school Christmas break).
RCC Chase the Ace
Every Saturday at the Richer Inn from 5 pm to 7:45 pm! Tickets only $1 each.
