Lights, Camera, Action! Selkirk Through Film
From Hollywood blockbusters to local television dramas, discover the starring role Selkirk has played on screen and the major productions that chose our town as their backdrop.
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.
Dinette
Step back in time to Selkirk’s favourite mid-century gathering spot. Discover the history, the memories, and the community legacy of the iconic Dinette.
Firsts for Selkirk’s Women on Council
Meet Alice Belanger and Darlene Swiderski—two trailblazing leaders who broke barriers and brought vital new perspectives to Selkirk’s town council.
The Frank Hooker Award
From bucket brigades to motorized engines, explore the history of the Selkirk Fire Department and the hilarious, lighthearted story behind the legendary Frank Hooker Driving Award.
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.