Small towns and big dreams
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- Published on Tuesday, April 21, 2015
By Vern May
Minnedosa & Area Community Development Corporation
Sometimes our self-esteem takes a beating. As Manitobans we are born with a strong work ethic and a “get it done” attitude, but we’re not strong self-promoters. We go about our business, always do our best to help friends and neighbours in need, and we don’t think a whole lot about ourselves – as long as there’s a roof over our head, food on the table and our loved ones are in good health. We’re proud (but not boastful) of our families and communities and are always ready to share with people who we are and where our roots are planted. But when our identity is compromised by the actions of others – particularly government – creating uncertainty of who we are and where we stand, that is deeply hurtful. I can’t think of a time in recent memory where that was more apparent than during the process of municipal amalgamation.
Don’t misunderstand, this is not an editorial about the positive or negative impacts of the current political climate. However, as we take our first steps under these new banners, there is a lot of optimism, but still uncertainty about our own identities. I often find myself in meetings where community leaders start to lay out their plans and ideas, often prefaced with the statement, “I’m not sure if we’re still supposed to be promoting our town individually, or if we’re supposed to adopt the new municipal title …”
It’s important to remember that changing political boundaries is nothing new. Heck, this region of the province was part of Saskatchewan a century ago. Community identity is vital – our personal tie to where we live is probably more critical than ever in rural towns. How many communities have we seen evolve from thriving little hamlets to simply become bedroom communities for the larger centres? It’s important that we are mindful of those situations and are always working to keep our smaller towns alive, our businesses open and our residents engaged as active members of our clubs and organizations.
We attach our identity to where we live and where we’re from. When you meet someone new, you share with them the map dot which is closest to your home. It’s a great discovery to enter into that dialogue with someone who knows about your town, has been there or has some connection to your community.
RM of Oakview is a partner in Minnedosa and Area Community Development Corporation, and one of the most important elements of our efforts over the coming year is strengthening community identity and promoting not just the “rural lifestyle” in a general sense, but instead the specific opportunity and advantages of living in OUR rural communities. Using that as a starting point, and engaging the whole of our population, we can then take the next steps forward with certainty about who we are and where we want to go – economically and recreationally.
Let’s continue the conversation by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 204-867-3885. The title of this series of articles which will appear exclusively in Rivers Banner is dubbed Small Towns and Big Dreams, in agreement with a lyric from a Paul Brandt song by the same title. As a prairie-born fellow myself, I firmly believe: “The best things around that I have ever seen, came from small towns and big dreams.”
