EastMan (Eastern Manitoba)

Eastern Manitoba (EastMan) generally is recognized as embracing everything east of Winnipeg, and the Red River south to the US border with Minnesota and north along the east side of Lake Winnipeg. Eastern Manitoba includes the communities of Beausejour, Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa, Pine Falls, Bissett, Grand Marais, Steinbach, Lorette, Dugald, Anola, Falcon Lake, Westhawk Lake, Iles des Chenes, St Pierre, Niverville and many First Nations communities. Eastern Manitoba is one of the least populated (next to NorMan) areas of the province yet is one of the most diverse ethnic, geological and economic regions.

First Nations Communities In Eastern Manitoba

Unlike the Interlake, NorMan or Parklands regions, which share much in common internally, Eastman is very diverse ethnically. From the First Nations to the north of the region to the religious Mennonite communities to the south and the French in between, EastMan has a unique blend of customs and practices. There are four First Nations communities in the southern and central portions, with Brokenhead, Sagkeen, Hollow Water, Roseau, Black River and Buffalo Point.

Along the east side of the north basin of Lake Winnipeg, communities include Bloodvein, Berens and Poplar River. Towards the Ontario border north of the south basin are Little Grand Rapids and Pauingassi.

Mixed Ethnicities in Eastern Manitoba

Caucasian population is a bit deceptive here, since, over generations, many races and cultures have intermarried. Still, Ukrainian populations are large in areas like Beausejour, teh lake cottage towns boast a reason mix of ethnicities, while southern parts of eastern Manitoba contain a sizeable French population, along with predominantly Mennonite towns with Hutterite colonies interspersed.

Diverse Geography in Eastern Manitoba

With the boreal forest to the north, Precambrian Shield to the east and prairies to the west, its geography is equally varied. The area is rich in flora and fauna, but its geography is starky variable.

The Precambrian Shield is a former mountain range that has eroded over millions of years, with its granite rock being most noticeable toward the Ontario border. This geology produced gold for decades. Estimates suggested there was more gold than in the Yukon during the gold rush, but it was so difficult for prospectors to mine in the 1800s that most moved to the Yukon. Still, the Bissett mine east of the south basin of Lake Winnipeg operated for decades. The rock formations of the Shield produced myriad streams and rivers, with teh most pronounced being the Winnipeg River. There are roughly seven 4-season rivers, with numerous creeks that are dry during summer and autumn.

The trees along the south area generally are coniferous, evergreen trees. Sandilands Province Forest is huge, with mostly evergreen. The Agassiz Forest lies north of Sandilands, with Highway 44 cutting through much of it. UNESCO rcognizes the boreal forests along the east side of Lake Winnipeg as historic.

Nopiming Park and Whiteshell Park may be two of the most popular summer camping and cottage arewas in the province, but they owe their populatrity largely to the scores of lakes and streams, flora and fauna.

Fauna: Eastern Manitoba Wildlife

Like everything else in the region, wildlife here is very diverse. From the small (wild mink and weasels), to medium (muskrat, beaver, goundhogs), to large (wolf, black bear and moose), EastMan can both amaze and frighten you.

The moose love the swamps, bush and widlerness, ranging from Highway 1 (a few south of that, though) through to the farthest reaches of the region (and beyond). Bear roam everywhere, but, although there are frequent human/bear encounters, any confrontation is extremely rare. Wolves run in packs and avoid humans.

Small and medium animals generally are rodents or small carnivores. Much of the swampy areas are home to the muskrat, while beaver control the smaller rivers and creeks. Bird variety is vast. Mid-sized predators, like coyote and fox, abound but remain relatively benign and harmless.

The fishing, though, is superb. From Bloodvein north, fishing lodges attract thousands of fishermen seeking trophy catches.

Community Locations in Eastern Manitoba

On the top Menu bar, Click on the community of your choice within the EastMan subMenu.

Eastman roadtrip, April 11