Better Water for Tea
From a heavily polluted lifeline to a landmark environmental victory: discover how the Town of Selkirk fought the Province and the City of Winnipeg to save the Red River.
Langlois Family
Discover the incredible legacy of Selkirk’s Langlois family—from their roots in boatbuilding and life on Hecla Island to the remarkable story of nine brothers who all served in WWII and returned home safely.
Amy Clemons
Born in St. Peters in 1906 and a descendant of Chief Peguis, Amy Clemons was a pillar of Manitoba’s Friendship Centre movement. As Executive Director of the Selkirk Friendship Centre, she dedicated her life to community service, youth programs, and Cree language preservation. Her tireless advocacy against prejudice earned her Manitoba’s 1970 “Woman of the Year” honors and the Order of Canada in 1973.
Rifkin’s Department Store
Established on Main Street in 1927 by Russian immigrant Harry Rifkin and his wife Freda with just $200, Rifkin’s evolved from a modest, seven-day-a-week general store—complete with a taxi service and hot dog stand—into a beloved downtown fashion staple. Moving to its final location at 212 Manitoba Avenue in 1945, the business was later transformed by their son Max and his style-savvy wife Lucy into a modern ladies’ clothing boutique, elegantly serving generations of local shoppers for 61 years until its closure in 1988.
Ethel’s Flower Shop
Opened on February 11, 1963, by Ken and Ethel Crowder at 241 Manitoba Avenue, Ethel’s Flower Shop was a cherished community fixture for over half a century. Later owned and operated by Lena Van Blaricom and subsequently Ethel Keith as a passionate family affair, this bustling downtown shop brought comfort and joy to Selkirk residents by supplying fresh floral arrangements for generations of weddings, holidays, and milestones until its closure in 2014.
An Unexpected Force – The Opening of the Selkirk Lift Bridge
Announced in 1934 as a vital Great Depression infrastructure project, the Selkirk Lift Bridge was completed by 1936—but it sat completely unused for nearly a year because no government level wanted to absorb its ongoing maintenance costs. The gridlock broke on April 29, 1937, when a frustrated local man lowered the span himself; when officials rushed to shut it down, they were blocked by a defiant, celebratory crowd of townsfolk demanding the bridge stay open, forcing its official historic opening days later.
Elsie Bear
Born into a Métis family in Grand Marais in 1921, Elsie Bear became a monumental figure of advocacy, community service, and cultural pride in Selkirk. A founding force behind the Selkirk Friendship Centre in 1967, she dedicated her life to empowering women, children, and Indigenous peoples, while personally fostering around 40 children and launching a massive annual community Christmas dinner. Her decades of selfless giving earned her Manitoba’s prestigious Order of the Buffalo Hunt and the MMF’s Order of the Shawl.
Mel Bedard
Born in Selkirk in 1929, Melvin “Mel” Joseph Clifford Bedard was a legendary Métis fiddler who dedicated his life to preserving Indigenous and regional musical heritage. A master of the Red River Jig style who counted Don Messer and Andy de Jarlis as close friends, Bedard won over 80 competition awards, recorded acclaimed albums, and mentored generations of performers before his induction into the Fiddlers Hall of Fame in 2013.
The Catfish Cookoff, Selkirk vs Emerson
In 1989, a fierce but friendly culinary battle erupted between Selkirk and Emerson to claim the undisputed title of “Catfish Capital of Manitoba.” The high-stakes rivalry culminated in a televised cookoff on CBC’s The Journal, where a blind taste test by local judges ultimate crowned Selkirk’s pan-fried preparation over Emerson’s deep-fried entry, cementing Selkirk’s legendary status on the map.
Selkirk Fair and Rodeo
Established in 1884 by the St. Andrews Agricultural Society, the Selkirk Fair and Rodeo stands as one of Manitoba’s oldest agricultural fairs. Evolving over 145 years from a traditional autumn showcase for livestock, baking, and plowing matches into the action-packed “Triple S” semi-pro rodeo and community festival at Selkirk Park, this beloved annual tradition continues to bring together residents from St. Andrews, St. Clements, and Selkirk.