This incorporated, non-profit organization was established on 26 January 1985 to promote, encourage, develop, and preserve Manitoba’s heritage among groups around the province. Among the groups that participated were the Association of Manitoba Archivists, Association of Manitoba Museums, Carberry Plains Culture Centre, La societe historique de Saint Boniface, Manitoba Archaeological Society, Manitoba Genealogical Society, Manitoba Historical Society, Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature, Morden and District Museum, Swan Valley Museum, Transcona Historical Museum, Vintage Locomotive Society, and Western Canada Aviation Museum. For several years in the late 1980s, the Federation published a newsletter called Heritage Spectrum.
Using funds provided to it from provincial lotteries and gaming, by 1992, the Manitoba Heritage Federation had given over 700 grants to some 300 organizations. At that time, the Manitoba government took over operation of the Heritage Grants Program. In 1995, the Federation inaugurated an awards program, in commemoration of Manitoba’s 125th birthday, that were presented every 18 months between 1995 and 1999. The organization became inactive by 2001.
Period
Principal
1985
Terry Patterson
1986-1987
Ruth Mary Breckman (1932-2017)
1987-1989
Diane Haglund
1989-?
?
?-?
Paul Overgaard
?-2000
?
2000-2001
Don Fyk
Award Recipient
Award
Year
Sydney James Allen
Regional Volunteer
1996
Douglas Andrew
Regional Volunteer
1998
Peter Bilash (1924-2006)
President’s
2001
Nicole Botterill
Youth Special Recognition
1996
Remi Bouchard
Heritage Publication
1998
Elgin Chute
Regional Volunteer
1999
Gail Davis
Regional Volunteer
1999
Vic Edwards
Heritage Tourism
1999
Erin Galbraith
Youth Special Recognition
1996
Jean Oscar “John” Guiboche (1927-2003)
D. L. Campbell
1998
Elwood W. Heath
Regional Volunteer
1996
Dorothy Campbell Henderson (1916-2009)
President’s
1998
Edwin Beresford “Eddie” Johanson (1920-2009)
?
2001
Leo Friman Kristjanson (1932-2005)
Regional Volunteer
1996
Ben V. Kroeker
Heritage Publication
1996
Elsie Demchuk Lesyk (1926-2014)
Heritage Preservation
1996
Royden K. Loewen
Outstanding Contribution
1996
Bob Mackenzie
President’s
1996
Brandi Martin
Youth Special Recognition
1996
Edward Gordon McGill (1929-2021)
Regional Volunteer
1999
Arthur McIntyre
Regional Volunteer
1999
William G. McKay
D. L. Campbell
1999
Myrtle McKenzie
Regional Volunteer
1998
Kristy McLean
Youth Special Recognition
1996
Gerald Morran
Special Recognition
1998
Cecil Pittman
Special Recognition
1999
Mary Rosalia Prokopowich (1916-2003)
Heritage Publication
1998
Wayne Ralph
Special Recognition
1999
Joe Robertson
D. L. Campbell
1996
Pauline Rowan
D. L. Campbell
2001
G. H. “Rusty” Rutherford
Outstanding Contribution
1998
John Slobodzian
Regional Volunteer
1998
Kay Slobodzian
Regional Volunteer
1998
Morris Stefaniuk
Special Recognition
1996
Ray Storozinski
Regional Volunteer
1996
Ed Stubbington
Youth Special Recognition
1996
Ivan Llewellyn Traill (1932-2022)
President’s
1999
Monty Trimble
Youth Special Recognition
1996
Marion Whyte
Regional Volunteer
1999
Stanley Leonard Witoski (1928-2009)
Regional Volunteer
1996
Evelyn Alma Vivian (1925-2005)
Regional Volunteer
1998
Bernard Rodolph “Bernie” Wolfe (1922-2014)
Special Recognition
1998
Award Recipient
Award
Year
Abigail’s at the Station (Roblin)
Outstanding Contribution
1999
Beyond the Gates of Lower Fort Garry - A Sequel (Municipality of St. Andrews)
Publication
2001
Church of the Resurrection Restoration Committee
Heritage Preservation
1998
Heritage Preservation
1998
Heritage Preservation
1998
Heritage Preservation
1999
Fort la Reine News (Vic & Joyce Edwards)
Heritage Publication
1999
Gimli Municipal Heritage Committee
Heritage Preservation
1996
Outstanding Contribution
1998
Town of Gimli
Municipal
1999
Heritage Tourism
1998
Outstanding Contribution
1998
“Billboard,” Winnipeg Free Press, 23 January 1985, page 32.
“The MAS and the Manitoba Heritage Federation” by Peter Walker, Manitoba Archaeological Quarterly, Volume 9, Number 1, January 1985, pages 61-64.
Heritage Spectrum, Volume 1, Number 2, 1986.
Manitoba Hansard, 5 June 1992.
“Manitoba Heritage Federation 3rd Annual Awards Banquet,” Neepawa Banner, 18 April 1998, page 24.
“Rowan recognized for work on the Wakpatanka project,” Birtle Eye-Witness, 22 September 2001, page 9.
“Bilash receives award from MHF,” Daupin Herald, 25 September 2001, page 5.
Obituary [Ruth Mary Breckman], Winnipeg Free Press, 23 December 2017.
Manitoba Heritage Federation website, Wayback Machine, Internet Archive.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 9 February 2023
