Matthewson & Co
Building Communities in Manitoba,
Saskatchewan and Alberta
A Brief History of the Turtle Mountain Region
The Turtle Mountain region has a long and rich history that begins long before today’s towns were built. For thousands of years, Indigenous Nations lived, travelled, hunted, and gathered across these hills, lakes, and prairies. The area is part of the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) and Dakota peoples, who knew Turtle Mountain as a place of shelter, food, and cultural significance. The land’s forests, clearings, and waterways supported seasonal camps, trade routes, and community gatherings.
Métis families also have deep roots in the region. Many lived and travelled through the Turtle Mountain and Whitewater Lake areas, building strong community ties through hunting, fishing, trading, and family networks that stretched across Manitoba and into what is now North Dakota. Their presence shaped the region's early economy and culture, and Métis history remains an important part of Turtle Mountain’s identity.
Settlers began arriving in the late 1800s, drawn by farmland, fresh water, and new opportunities. Rail lines, grain elevators, and trading posts helped small towns take shape. Communities like Boissevain, Killarney, Deloraine, and Waskada grew into local hubs where families worked, shopped, and built their lives. Each town developed its own character, shaped by the people who lived there and the industries that supported them.
Over time, the region became known for its mix of rolling hills, farmland, lakes, and the forested Turtle Mountain uplands. Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, Lake Metigoshe, Killarney Lake, and Whitewater Lake became important places for recreation, wildlife, and tourism. Agriculture remained the backbone of the local economy, supported by small businesses, schools, volunteer groups, and strong community networks.
The Turtle Mountain Region Today
The Turtle Mountain region today is a collection of small towns, lakes, parks, farms, and forested hills that all feel connected, even if they’re spread out across the prairies. When people say “Turtle Mountain,” they’re talking about a shared place, shared history, and a shared way of life.
The region includes communities like Boissevain, Killarney, Deloraine, Waskada, and the rural areas around them. Each town has its own character, but they’re tied together by the same landscape and the same sense of community. You’ll find rolling farmland, quiet gravel roads, wildlife-rich wetlands, and the wooded Turtle Mountain uplands that give the region its name.
Water plays a big part in life here. Whitewater Lake is one of the best birdwatching spots in Manitoba, drawing visitors from across Canada and the U.S. Lake Metigoshe, shared with North Dakota, is a favourite for cabin life, boating, and year-round recreation. Killarney Lake sits right beside the town of Killarney and is a daily gathering place for swimmers, walkers, anglers, and families. These lakes help define the region—they’re places where people relax, explore, and connect with nature.
The area is home to Turtle Mountain Provincial Park and William Lake Provincial Park, both of which play a big role in local life. These parks offer hiking, camping, birdwatching, and year-round outdoor activities. Families head to the lakes in summer, snowshoers and skiers explore the trails in winter, and visitors come from all over to enjoy the scenery. The parks help anchor the region’s identity—they’re places where people gather, explore, and feel connected to the land.
A major landmark is the International Peace Garden, located right on the Canada–U.S. border. It’s a symbol of friendship between the two countries and a year-round destination for families, gardeners, hikers, and visitors. Right beside it is a 24‑hour border crossing, which makes travel easy for residents, tourists, and local businesses. For a rural region, having round-the-clock access to the U.S. is a big advantage.
The Deloraine Airport is another key feature. It supports local pilots, agriculture, emergency response, and RCMP air operations. It keeps the region connected and ready for opportunities that require quick access by air.
Today, the Turtle Mountain region is home to long-time residents, farming families, newcomers, and people who return year after year. Agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy, but tourism, recreation, and small businesses play a growing role. Volunteer groups, schools, and local events keep the towns lively and welcoming.
The region also carries the stories of the Indigenous and Métis peoples who have lived, travelled, and gathered here for generations. Their connection to the land remains an important part of what Turtle Mountain means today.
Most of all, the Turtle Mountain region is a place where people feel rooted. It’s a place where neighbours wave, where community matters, and where the landscape shapes daily life. Whether you’re hiking in the park, exploring the Peace Garden, paddling on Killarney Lake, watching birds at Whitewater, or enjoying a cabin weekend at Lake Metigoshe, Turtle Mountain feels like home—steady, welcoming, and full of character.