Árdís - 01.01.1966, Page 39

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
37
Our Manitoba
HRUND SKULASON
The name Manitoba means different things to many people.
But what does it mean to us the people that have made it our
permanent home? We could look far back in history to 1870 when
it became a province of the great Dominion of Canada, next year
to celebrate its Centennial. The memories of grand- or great-grand-
fathers are also too remote, so let us just take a look at the
Manitoba of fifty years ago and the changes they have brought.
Take a glimpse now, when all the talk is about Manitoba, the poor-
est province. Manitoba of the coldest climate. The Manitoba every-
one is leaving because of its poverty and hardships. And yet, it
is the same Manitoba where so many of use have lived full and
contented lives during those past years.
No one will deny that the pioneers of Manitoba did not lead
difficult lives. But have not the pioneers of any country or province
faced almost unsurmountable difficulties. And did any pioneer
ever count the cost in the struggle for a dream.
The pioneers had faith in the future of the province — Maybe
they did not have as many politicians to run it down, and tell
them that it was a poor miserable place to live in — They saw
beyond the reality. They saw only the vision of the beautiful place
it could become, if they persevered and gave their lives to the
building of it.
Let us take a look at the Manitoba of the long ago. The road-
less, powerless, mosquito-infested muskeg and dense bush land
that was our province. Think back and take a look at the people
that lived and struggled through those bleak years. The people
living on the lonely farmsteads, miles apart, surrounded by dense
forests. The roads only narrow trails merely wide enough for a
team of oxen or horses, and in many instances, only walking trails
where one had to wade through sloughs knee deep in muddy
water. Still no one thought it was a chore to visit a neighbor 4—5
miles away, carrying a leafy branch to ward off the cloud of