A local artist is spearheading efforts to reclaim a piece of Manitoba’s history.

“I realized that there was a story to tell,” says Pierrette Sherwood, Chairperson of the initiative seeking to revive the Old Dawson Trail.

The project was started early last year but, Sherwood says she had been thinking about it since returning to Manitoba in 2003, after working in the tourism industry out east.

(A map of the Old Dawson Trail)

The Trail’s significance comes from being the first all-Canadian route bridging Eastern Canada to the West. “It was the federal government who built it back in 1868,” shares Sherwood, “and was important because it allowed the government of Canada to annex Manitoba to the Confederation.”

Sherwood assures the trail is rife with entertaining anecdotes. “It’s been coined ‘the forgotten trail’ since it has been laying dormant for over a hundred years,” she says, “but in terms of gems that you may or may not have heard, there’s a lost treasure along the trail.”

Apparently, in 1868 a lone soldier and his horse were making their way through hostile country when they were pursued by the indigenous people of the region. Fearing for his life, the soldier threw $10,000 worth of gold into the bush, and with his load lightened, managed to escape.

Sherwood describes the project as twofold, as she would like to see a self-guided, permanent heritage tour along the Dawson Trail, as well as an artist studio tour for the trail and surrounding area.

“Some people are little intimidated by art, possibly, and perhaps think of it as being displayed within four walls in an art gallery somewhere,” says Sherwood, “but this gives them a chance to get a little closer to the artist and have a more interactive experience with the art process.”

When asked about entity involvement, Sherwood is quick to list the many supporters of the project. “We’ve been very fortunate to have Tourism Manitoba come forward, we’ve got the RM of St Anne on board, and the Tache Municipality is excited to meet us as well.” These groups, together with her 14 member Executive Board and many volunteers, still have a lot of work to do, estimating the project could take anywhere from three to five years.

“We’ve engaged in the first steps,” assures Sherwood. “We’re looking to do a soft launch at the end of April.”

With exuberant optimism Sherwood looks forward to how the initiative will unfold.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised at every turn here,” she says. “There have been some great people, some real gems coming forward.”