Rama, Saskatchewan

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Village of Rama
Rama, Saskatchewan
[[Image:
Rama, Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan )
Rama, Saskatchewan
Location of Rama, Saskatchewan
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Country Flag of Canada Canada
Province Flag of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan
Region East Central Saskatchewan
Census division 9
Rural Municipality Invermay
Post office Founded April 9, 1908
Incorporated (Village) December 18, 1919
Founder John Berge
Government
 - Type Strong Mayor-Council
 - Mayor Darrell Dutchak
 - Administrator Nicole Monchamp
 - Councillor Jeff Hunter
 - Councillor Darryl McLeod
Area
 - Total 0.67 km² (0.3 sq mi)
Elevation 750 m (2,461 ft)
Population (2006)
 - Total 75
 - Density 112.3/km² (290.9/sq mi)
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CST (No DST) (UTC-6)
Postal code S0A 3H0
Area code(s) 306
Highways Highway 5
Waterways Whitesand River, Assiniboine River
[1][2][3][4]

Rama is a village located in the Parkland area, also known as the East-Central region, of Saskatchewan, Canada. It is approximately 300 km East of Saskatoon on Highway 5 and approximately 255 km North-East of Regina.

Contents

[edit] Demographics

According to the Canada 2006 Census[5]:

• Population: 75 (-16.7 from 2001)
• Land area: 0.67 km² (0.26 sq mi)
• Population density: 112.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (291 /sq mi)
• Median age: 53.5 (males: 52.0, females: 53.8)
• Total private dwellings: 51
• Dwellings occupied by permanent residents: {{{privateDwellusual}}}
• Mean household income: $

Canada Post provides weekday Mail and Courier services to the area through a local postal outlet and post office boxes. The Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) also provides courier services and non-scheduled bus services.

Although a small community, residents enjoy many common amenities such as treated water and sewage services, natural gas, power, private line telephone, high speed internet, cellular telephone service and wireless cable television. The community water supply originates from a regional water source in the nearby town of Canora. Water taken from the system has been voted the best in Canada and fourth in the world.

[edit] History

The Village of Rama was officially incorporated as a village on December 18, 1919, at the same time the village was incorporated a large wave of Polish settlers migrated to the province]], and to this day the population is largely Polish. The name of the village originates from a river and community in the former Yugoslavia, the name was officially approved by the Government of Canada in 1956.

Some community firsts:

1890 - First land survey and road plan.
1905 - Mr. John Berge, first resident.
1908 - First Bicycle.
1910 - First Steam Tractor.
1912 - First gasoline tractor.
1912 - First Long Distance Telephone.
1919 - Telephones were first installed.
1920 - First village council meeting.
1921 - First Radio.
1927 - First public passenger bus. Part of route from Tisdale to Yorkton.
1928 - Diphtheria Outbreak.

[edit] Economy

Industry in the community consists mainly of 'family' or corporate farming with several small and medium sized farming support businesses.

Big Sky Farms is a major employer in the area and contributes significantly to the local economy through employment and through feed and other purchases from local businesses and farms.

[edit] Health

Medical service is not directly available in the village, however the nearby town of Canora and City of Yorkton have medical facilities. Fire protection service is provided through an agreement with the Invermay Volunteer Fire Department while police services are provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) through a detachment located in Canora.

[edit] Education

School aged children from Rama and surrounding area are transported via bus to the nearby community of Invermay to attend class. Rama School closed in the 1990s and has since been converted into the local fuel station, farm supply store and Convenience Store.

[edit] Religion

Arguably, the community is best known for the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes immediately to the west of the Roman Catholic Church. Every year in August, the church holds a 'Pilgrimage' where mass is held in several different languages, and a candle light procession occurs. The idea of a grotto was originally conceived by Fr. Anthony Sylla who had arrived in Saskatchewan in 1909 and was appointed the Priest at the Roman Catholic church in the community in 1933. 1939 was when he established a shrine and pilgrimage site there in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Many persons of many different backgrounds come to the grotto annually to worship. The Polish see the pilgrimage as a substitute to Czestochowa, a sacred monastery in Poland.

[edit] Transportation

Rama is serviced by a major provincial Highway 5 and a main Canadian National rail line. Extensive local secondary roads and gravel roads also connect the village to the surrounding areas.

[edit] Recreation

A recreational facility housing both skating and curling rinks is typically maintained during the winter months. Both the skating and curling arenas utilize a natural ice surface and while located in a covered structure, are unheated and only available for use during months cold enough to support an ice surface.

Winter recreational activities also include snowmobiling with an extensive network of groomed trails located nearby. In February the Village holds its annual winter festival including a trail ride/poker derby on Snowmobiles. Many surrounding communities also provide the opportunity to partake in such activities as hockey, curling, Ukrainian dancing and figure skating.

[edit] Notable people

A number of nationally recognized athletes have come from Rama and surrounding area including:

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] Footnotes



Coordinates: 51°46′00″N 103°00′00″W / 51.766667, -103