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The languages of the Ojibway and the Cree First Nations of Manitoba are derived from the Algonquian linguistic family, while the language of the Dakota is derived from the Siouan linguistic family. The Dene or Chipewyan language is derived from the Athapaskan linguistic family.

"Manitoba" may be derived from the Cree maniot-wapow, "the strait of the spirit or manitobau." This name refers to the roaring sound produced by pebbles on a beach on Manitoba Island in Lake Manitoba. The Cree believed the noise sounded like a manito, a spirit, beating a drum. It has also been suggested that the name comes from the Assiniboine words mini and tobow, meaning "Lake of the Prairie."

The name Manitoba likely comes from the Cree words "Manitou bou," which mean "the narrows of the Great Spirit." These words applied to Lake Manitoba, which narrows to less than a kilometre at its centre. The waves hitting the loose surface rocks of its north shore produce curious bell-like and wailing sounds, which the first Aboriginal peoples believed came from a huge drum beaten by the spirit Manitou.

The Assiniboine Indians were the first inhabitants of Manitoba. Other First Nations included the nomadic Cree, who followed the herds of bison and caribou on their seasonal migrations.

1.15 million total population - More than 128 000 people are of Aboriginal or Métis origin.

Manitoba became a province of the Dominion of Canada on July 15, 1870.

Follow these Manitoba links:

Click on logo to link to PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

	MANITOBA MAP      View this map as a JPEG (152 KB, 595 x 797 pixels).      View this map in PDF (255 KB, Adobe Acrobat Reader required).
	Click on logo to link to TRAVEL MANITOBA

Manitoba First Nations Directory..