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Dauphin
Overview
Dauphin is the eighth largest city in the province of Manitoba, with around 8,500 people (2016). It is part of the Prairie Mountain region.
Facts
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Coordinates
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Source
WBP almanac
External sources
Media
From Wikipedia211 words
WBP editorial2
River‑side rhythm
Set where the Saskatchewan River meets the Lake Manitoba shoreline, the town’s layout follows the water’s curve more than a grid. Early settlers built homes on modest rises to stay above seasonal floods, and today those same elevations host boutique cafés that open their doors to the river’s mist. A walk along the pedestrian promenade reveals rust‑patinated fishing sheds turned into art studios, where local makers display copper work inspired by the river’s ebb and flow. Timing your visit with the late‑summer fish‑run lets you watch salmon leaping past the historic swing bridge, a quiet spectacle that few guidebooks highlight.
Indigenous heritage in everyday life
The area around the town lies within the traditional lands of the Cree and Métis peoples, and their presence is woven into daily routines rather than relegated to museum exhibits. Saturday mornings often begin with a drum circle outside the community centre, open to visitors who are invited to sit and learn the meanings behind the beats. Local markets feature bannock baked on open coals and wild rice harvested from nearby marshes, sold alongside artisan beadwork that tells stories of the river’s spirit. Engaging with these practices offers a perspective on the region’s history that transcends the usual colonial narratives found in standard travel texts.