Historic Sites of Manitoba: Swistun Buddas (Municipality of Harrison Park)

In 1899, the first Slavic settlers arrived at this site in what is now the Municipality of Harrison Park from the railhead at Strathclair. During the first pioneer decade, families lived in “buddas” made of tree trunks, branches, sod, and native hay while their homesteads were being identified. In 1978, two authentic buddas at this site were reconstructed by Michael Swistun with assistance of the Parkland Ukrainian Pioneer Association. The Association also erected a stone monument commemorating the history of the area.

In January 2022, one of the buddas was destroyed in what was believed to be an arson fire.

Swistun Buddas (June 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Interior of a Swistun Budda (August 2020) Source: Rose Kuzina Commemorative monument at the site (August 2020) Source: Rose Kuzina Site Coordinates (lat/long): N50.66083, W100.52146 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Abandoned Manitoba

The Strongest Man in the World by Norm Fear
Manitoba History, Number 3, 1982

Memorable Manitobans: Michael “Mike” Swistun (1901-1980)

Sources:

“Loss of Budda is a loss of history,” Shoal Lake Crossroads, 21 January 2022, page 6.

We thank Rose Kuzina for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 13 February 2025

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