Heritage Preservation among Ethnocultural Communities in Manitoba

Barry J. Martin taught in the Anthropology Department at the University of Toronto.

The purpose of this 67-page publication is to outline the state of heritage preservation among ethnocultural communities in Manitoba. A brief one-page survey and the covering letter sent with it are printed as appendices. Through this methodology, information on the heritage preservation of 48 ethnic groups was collected, and it is presented here alphabetically from “Austrian” to “Yugoslav-Slovenian.” Metis and Native Indian groups are also included.

Each ethnic group merits about a page. Data cover population and names and types of heritage preservation — for example, libraries, audio-visuals, photographic and museum displays, and artifact collections. The only theoretical and historical background is the clear but too-brief introduction on multiculturalism as a federal policy in Canada.

This publication is useful for knowledge of the ethnic communities that exist in Manitoba. However, its application as an aid to further research may be limited. No mailing addresses are provided for ethnocultural organizations, which makes contact with them difficult. In the next survey, perhaps a lengthier, more evaluative survey could be done to research ethnic values toward language use, acculturation, and a sense of identity. The bibliography could be updated and broadened to include references to more than three ethnic groups. Overall, the book is informative and may prove a catalyst for groups to expand their heritage preservation efforts.