Gimli, Manitoba
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For other uses, see Gimli.
| Rural Municipality of Gimli, Manitoba | |
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Region | Interlake |
| Demonym: | Gimvestitian |
| Founded | October, 1875 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Bryce Flett |
| Area | |
| - Land | 326.3 km² (126 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 222 m (728 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Density | 18.2/km² (47.1/sq mi) |
| - Urban | 5,797 |
| - Urban Density | 319.25/km² (826.9/sq mi) |
| Postal code | R0C 1B0 R0C 1B1 |
| Area code(s) | 204 |
| Website: www.rmgimli.com | |
Gimli is a rural municipality in south-central Manitoba, Canada. It is located on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg, about seventy-five kilometres north of the provincial capital Winnipeg, and close to the small town of Fraserwood. The town (population 5,797 Statistics Canada 2006 census) and surrounding area constitute an Icelandic ethnic block settlement, and are home to the largest Icelandic Canadian population outside of Iceland, a fact which gives the town its nickname "The Capital of New Iceland."
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[edit] Economy
Large employers in Gimli include Faroex and the Gimli Distillery.
- Faroex Ltd. produces composite components for use in the agricultural, automotive, consumer and military supply industries since 1981. Faroex's first product was POLYGRATE flooring and support framing system, which is made out of advanced plastic and fiberglass and is used in hog production.
- The Gimli Distillery opened in 1968. The plant currently employs 72 people with an annual payroll, including benefits, of almost $4 million. The operation is situated on two quarters of land and comprises a production building, barrel filling and dumping, and 46 warehouses to store the maturing whiskies. The plant and its people are responsible for providing the company's global Canadian whisky requirement. In particular, Gimli is the source of Crown Royal whisky.
- The fishery has over 100 fishers of white fish and pickerel [1]
- During the summer months, tourism is a major industry, as thousands of summer cottagers fill the town of Gimli, especially on weekends. Hotels, restaurants and stores cater to the summer visitors.
[edit] Arts and culture
[edit] Festivals
- Gimli Film Festival was the brain child of Icelandic/Canadian filmmaker Jon Gustafsson when he wanted to show his locally shot feature film Kanadiana to the people of Gimli. The opening night film at the first festival was Tales From the Gimli Hospital by Guy Maddin. Other founding members were Senator Janis Johnson, and filmmakers Caelum Vatnsdal and Matt Holm.
- Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, Íslendingadagurinn, is held on the long weekend in August. The first Icelandic festival in Manitoba was held in Winnipeg in 1890; it was held there annually until 1931, and since 1932 has been held in Gimli.
[edit] Notable people
- David Arnason - Writer and English professor born in Gimli.
- Leo Kristjanson - Economist and President of the University of Saskatchewan from 1980-89.
- John MacDonald - Canadian musician who plays the French horn. (He and his family left when he was three years old.)
- Vilhjálmur Stefánsson - Ethnologist and explorer born in Gimli.
- Eric Stefanson - Retired Manitoba Progressive Conservative politician born in Gimli.
- W. D. Valgardson - Writer and professor raised in Gimli.
- Michael Ewanchuk - Writer of Ukrainian history books and school inspector born in Gimli.
- George Johnson - Physician and former Minister of Education and Health in Manitoba. In 1986 was appointed Manitoba's 20th Lieutenant Governor, the first person of Icelandic descent so honored; subsequently he was the recipient of many other outstanding honors (i.e. The Order of Canada). For more info about Dr. George Johnson follow this link: http://bookoflifeonline.com/JohnsonDrGeorge.htm
- Tandra Rae Lepine is the owner of NMP Studios Inc. and is also the owner of Ryan Darroux, Brandon Allaman.
[edit] References
- "We are all from Gimli - Jewel of Lake Winnipeg's southwestern" shore by Caelum Vatnsdal, Features Editor of The Manitoban.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Rural Municipality of Gimli, Manitoba Official Website
- CBC Archives - July 23, 1983 - Air Canada 767 lands without fuel
- Local newspaper Interlake Spectator
- Evergreen School Division: http://www.esd.mb.ca
- Dr. George Johnson School: http://www.esd.mb.ca/schools/gjms/
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