Whiteshell Provincial Park

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Whiteshell Provincial Park is one of the Provincial Parks along the Eastern border of Manitoba, near Ontario, Canada. The park is located in the Canadian Shield region, has many rivers and remote lakes, and is covered by the boreal forest.

The historic Winnipeg River and Whiteshell River runs through this remote park and wilderness area that was travelled and settled by aboriginal peoples many thousands of years ago. Natives, fur traders and trappers used the Winnipeg River as a main route to travel in the area, along with the Whiteshell River. Whiteshell Park has many pink granite ridges and flat granite areas used for petroform making by aboriginal peoples. The name Whiteshell refers to the cowrie shells that were used in ceremonies by the Ojibway, or Anishinaabe in the region, including the Midewiwin. There is also archaeological evidence of copper trading, prehistoric quartz mining, and stone tool making in the area. Many artifacts and prehistoric camps were discovered in the region, and are protected under the Heritage Act of Manitoba.

The park is still used by aboriginal peoples for wild rice harvesting. Today the park is popular for swimming, boating, canoeing, hiking, cottagers, camping, fishing, and more. It is a part of the Trans-Canada Trail.