Lac du Bonnet & District Historical Society

2019 newsletter LAC DU BONNET DISTRICT MUSEUM

Lac du Bonnet Fur Trade  May 18 Museum Opening The fur trade emerged as the posts east to Fort William and 13 bags of pemmican and  May TBA Kevin Brownlee first major commercial returned with trade goods in some blankets and cloths. “Hunter and Fisher from enterprise in the Lac du late summer. A rival Hudson Bay Bonnet area. Competing fur Company post “Lac Du Sheltered Waters” European fashion created the merchants formed the Bonnet House” operated for  June 1 & 2 River rage for the broad brimmed Northwest Company (NWC) a short time 1807 - 1808 beaver hat at the end of the in 1779 to compete with the above Grande du Bonnet Rendezvous 1st annual 16th century for men and Hudson Bay Company Portage (Great Falls). Lac du  and Tipi Raising women. The Russian and (HBC). The NWC motto was Bonnet House HBC post Baltic beaver became extinct “Perseverance”, the HBC was manager Thomas Miller  June 22 & 23 “St. John’s and hat makers in Europe “ Pro Pelle Cutem”(Latin “A wintered there and had two of Memories through the learned the North American skin for a Skin”). The two rival his fishing nets stolen by the Century “ beaver under fur could form companies established 601 “” (NWC) on good felt. The North trade posts throughout North October 23, 1807. Miller  June 30 celebrating Canada American beaver would America.( 351 Montreal describes in his post journal Day became the main staple of based trade posts and 250 that they were catching many the fur trade until the mid HBC posts) rabbits and sturgeon  July 27 Ves Zarins book 19th century when silk hats The Winnipeg River system preparing for the long cold launch ruined the beaver market. was the natural highway of winter ahead. A HBC post on It was in the spring of 1733 the day and its tributaries a Eagle Nest Lake on the Inside this issue: that La Jemmeraye and Jean source of furs. The placing of Winnipeg River operated Baptiste La Verendrye began trade posts depended on the later, 1859 through 1872 . trading with the Cree at La numbers of Indigenous Nicholas Garry, the tactful Lac du Bonnet’s Hidden Barriere on what became peoples willing and able to and humane diplomat of the Gem known as the Winnipeg River trade and the ease of HBC came to Canada to Winnipeg Electric Railway Co, on their quest to find the transportation to and from cement the union of the HBC Pinawa Generating Western Sea. Laverendryes them. Independent traders, Station established the French NWC and HBC used this and NWC. He reported a list of furs coming from the New Exhibits presence in the west in hopes route until the 1821 merger Frank and Anna Louisa Waters of damaging British trade in after which the HBC preferred southern department in 1821 WERCo and Lac du Bonnet pioneers Hudson Bay by actively the Hudson Bay supply route included 5312 beaver skins, Snow Plane skeleton original used building trade posts in the through York Factory. 3102 half or cub beavers, by Drs. Wood & Dr. Reid western frontier promoting fur A small post belonging to the 31528 martins and 30602 trade and gathering NWC was established on the muskrats. Bosak Sleigh information. strategic north shore of Lac restored by Voyageurs or “cours de bois” Du Bonnet in the vicinity Gerald Sarapu were French adventurers who of todays McArthur falls journeyed by canoe from about 1800 under the William Duncan Halliday Montreal to trade for furs. In name “Indian Cap Fort”. It Lac du Bonnet first registered the early 1800,s it is operated until 1822 when homestead estimated there were five abandoned in favor of the thousand voyagers west of HBC Fort Alexander a Winnipeg River the Great Lakes. They short distance down- worked sixteen to eighteen stream. When visited by Rendezvous hour days paddling and Nicholas Garry, deputy Fur Trade re-enactment camp portaging birch bark canoes HBC Governor on carrying at least 100 bags of August 2, 1821 Cap Fort “Latvian Pioneers, Socialists, provisions each weighing Post inventory included and Refugees in “ ninety pounds. Each spring by Ves Zarins voyageur brigades took bundles of furs from inland Nicolas Garry at Slave Falls by Rex Woods ..HBC 1959 Page 2 Lac du Bonnet & District Historical Society

Winnipeg Electric Railway Co. Pinawa Generating Station

“Lac du Bonnet’s Hidden the first generator was farming operations, the Gem” placed in service and 60,000 “Company Store”, and one Construction of the first year volts of electric power were room school house. round hydro electric transmitted to Winnipeg. Recreational facilities generating station in The Pinawa Generating included tennis courts, a William Mackenzie and Manitoba began in 1903 in Station was constructed by skating rink, curling rink, and Donald Mann the unorganized territory of the areas first Scandinavian a community hall used for Nepahwin on the Pinawa immigrants at an average movies, church, and dances. Channel in what is today the wage of ten cents an hour The population of Pinawa RM of Lac Du Bonnet. for a ten hour day (minus never exceeded one William Mackenzie and room, board, and medical). hundred which was Donald Mann under their Bricks manufactured in Lac predominantly of Swedish private Winnipeg Electric du Bonnet were used to and English descent. Railway Co. (WERCo) construct the power house, In 1951 after only forty-five financed the $3,000,000 four management houses, years of service, Pinawa development to supply the store, and staff house. Generating Station was shut growing demand of Pinawa was a totally self down to provide more WERCo. electricity to the city of sufficient company town in efficient use of the Seven Winnipeg. On June 9, 1906 the wilderness with its own Sisters Generating Station.

photo credit Robin Whetter May 18 Museum Open House new exhibits

SNOW PLANES were work Frank Waters born in including all the power Whycocomaugh, Cape horses of the day for winter emergencies. They passed into plant towns along the Breton, N.S. married Anna Winnipeg River as well Louisa Peterson from history in the 1950s. Pioneer doctors visited as rural districts. Dr. Jautland, Sweden at St. patients, accidents, and W.J. Wood & Dr. W. B. John’s Church in Lac du delivered babies on isolated S. Reid used this snow Bonnet January 3rd, 1913. homesteads day and night, plane during their Both Annie & Frank lived in summer and winter, by horse practice years. the original Pinawa Townsite- and buggy, sleigh, horseback, OPEN HOUSE later moving to Great Falls railway handcar, canoe, bush plane, and snow plane. The Saturday May 18 and Lac du Bonnet. They had 10:00 - 4:00 two children Edythe Millicent serviced area was vast from the boundary to Refreshments served. (Brown/Ehrlich) and Russell Brokenhead Municipality Everyone welcome Philip Waters.

1960’s Bosak Sleigh restored by Gerald Sarapu

In the Brokenhead district, about 50 one ski with the motor up front. The minutes northeast of Winnipeg there second generation toboggan had a was a carpenter and cabinet maker steering wheel with the motor in the with an inventive mind. His name was back for more pulling power. The Mike Bosak. In 1947-48 "power fledgling Bosak Power Toboggan toboggans," were being made in the plant at Brokenhead employed three U.S. and shipped to Canada. Mike men full time in addition to its inventor/ came across a drawing of a power owner. Mike was particularly proud of toboggan in a well-known mechanics his toboggan's rugged construction. magazine. He decided to see if he Like many inventors, many of his could build one with a few ideas were tested by trial and error. improvements of his own. He also Mike didn't just make Power wanted the sled to be of use by his Toboggans at his plant, he also made trapper friends who had a hard time them durable enough to be used by going through the bush with loads of trappers, fishermen and hunters alike. furs in the winter. The last Power Toboggans were built The first attempt Bosak made at by Mike in the early 1960s. developing a Power Toboggan used Gerald Sarapu 2019 NEWSLETTER Page 3

William Duncan Halliday married Francis E. Sutherland

W. D. Halliday 1874 – 1962 Bonnet School District # Leaving Whitemouth at the 1235 and was appointed age of 26 by birch bark Secretary Treasurer for the canoe, William took out the RM of Lac du Bonnet at its 1st registered homestead 3.5 first meeting on June 5th, miles NE of Lac du Bonnet. 1917. These positions he (where the museum stands held for many years. today) William Halliday ow ned a W. D. Halliday managed the livery barn on 3rd St. and boarding house for the Lac would rent out horses, du Bonnet Mining, Develop- wagons, and cutters for ing, and Manufacturing Company and Lac du freighting to mining areas Bonnets’ first store in 1900 near Long and Gem Lake. In for Walter Wardrop. 1933 he issued marriage On July 19th, 1904, William licenses and later became was appointed Secretary the police magistrate. Treasurer for the Lac du

June 1 & 2 “Winnipeg River Rendezvous” “Rendezvous” took place for the Come experience life during the Fur Trade purpose of era - See our heritage transferring furs come alive, with living and trading goods historical camps, traditional skills and amongst demonstrations. voyageurs. A Bannock & wild rice rendezvous was will be served $5.00/plate also a time for rest and revelry”.

July 27 Book launch with Ves Zarins

Latvian settlers arrived in the - 1:30 pm at Lettonia Cemetery early 20th century fleeing the unveiling of Latvian dedication failed socialist inspired 1905 plaque (MHAC) “Latvian settlers revolution. Author Ves Zarins from has spent six - 2:30 pm at St. John’s Heritage homesteaded in years of research and has Church book presentation by Ves Zarins and book signing compiled 240 pages with over Libau, Lettonia, 460 photos & illustrations in his - followed by a small Latvian newly published book. inspired reception in the hall. Lee River, and On July 27th visiting with Ves Lac du Bonnet & District Historical and his wife will be Society members free Bird River” Although small in numbers, H. E. Kārlis Eihenbaums Latvian (Lettish) settlers Non members $5.00 at the door. helped form the fabric of Lac Ambassador of Latvia to For more info :345-6329 du Bonnet, where third and Canada. fourth generations still reside. (Everyone is welcome to attend) St. John’s Heritage Church & Arts Centre LAC DU BONNET & DISTRICT President’s Message HISTORICAL As most people in Lac du Bonnet already SOCIETY know the Lac du Bonnet & District Historical Society has taken on a significant commitment by securing the former St. PO Box 658 John’s Anglican church. Now the real work begins. How do we Lac du Bonnet pay for it and make it an ongoing part of our Manitoba arts & culture community? Many ideas have been put forward R0E 1A0 already and are being considered. We all recognize its historic importance Email: in the community but we need your help to keep it for our future generation. [email protected] By donations and hard work we can make this happen. We encourage you to donate and help keep St. John’s spire standing tall in Lac du Bonnet. Gus Wruck St. John’s Anglican Church deconsecrated in 2018 . “Memories of St. John’s through the Century” June 22 & 23

The Lac du Bonnet & District A memorable exhibit / tea and cake will be held Historical Society upon hearing of the at the “St. John’s Heritage Church & Arts ldbhistorical.ca Centre”. deconsecrating of St. John’s Anglican Tickets are $20.00 will be available at the Church, formed a preservation museum or Ingham Pharmacy. Our pop up exhibit will feature weddings, Committee. confirmations, baptisms, & various church groups that took place at the The focus of this committee is to former St. John’s Anglican “ɟŸNjĨÞضÞŘǼÌsƼNjsǣsŘǼɠÌÞĶs preserve the St. John’s historical Church. ƼNjsǣsNjɚÞضǼÌsƼǣǼ¯ŸNjŘŸɠ This exhibit is on view for 2 days only. Ř_ǼÌs¯ȖǼȖNjsˇ building, promote its history & More info: 345-6329 celebrate it as a community space

through arts & culture. Volunteering

Follow updates on facebook pages: Volunteers are the driving force for the LdB & District Historical Society, a not-for-profit St. John’s Heritage Church & Arts Centre organization, which operates the Lac du Bonnet District Museum and the former St. John’s The Listening Room Anglican Church. Would you be willing to help out with any of these activities planned throughout the year? - Part of a work bee for Museum / Church The Lac du Bonnet & District Historical Society (painting - moving materials - special welcomes your support by becoming a member, projects - church baking) Facebook page: volunteering, or with a donation. - Artifact restoration Email: [email protected] - For clerical assistance on projects Lac du Bonnet District Museum ( working with artifacts - donated MEMBERSHIPS: material - preparation) Individual $20.00 - Part of Fundraising events (Museum / brochure created by Family $35.00 Church - openings - exhibits - July 1st Marlene Tottle parade - Heritage day - Winnipeg DONATIONS: Museum Operations River Rendezvous Patron $100-$499 - Help on research projects Sustaining $500-$999  Part of a phone calling team for Sponsor $1000-$4999 special events Benefactor $5000+

Note: Income tax receipts will be issued for Contact us: [email protected] Donations over $25.00.