Broken Wetland Trail - CPAWS Manitoba

Explore Brokenhead Wetland Trail

Discover the natural beauty of the Brokenhead Wetland Trail, a serene escape that showcases Manitoba’s unique biodiversity and cultural history. This trail offers a unique opportunity to learn about the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation’s deep connection to the land, which they’ve used for over 300 years for gathering medicinal plants, hunting, and fishing.

Perfect for a peaceful outing, the trail blends gravel paths and boardwalks, allowing visitors to explore the fragile wetlands without disturbing its delicate ecosystem. Keep an eye out for rare native orchids, carnivorous plants, and other wonders that make this area truly special.

Here’s what you need to know before you go:

Trail Highlights:

Length: 2.7 km
Average Time: 45 min-1 hour
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: ⅕
Picnic Area:

Accessibility:

Wheelchair and stroller accessible (mostly boardwalk)
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Trail lot
Dogs: Not allowed
Park Pass: not required

Brokenhead Wetland History

In 1998, Native Orchid Conservation Inc. (NOCI) nominated the Brokenhead Wetland for ecological reserve status under Manitoba's Protected Areas Initiative. The group was founded by the late Bud Ewacha, a wild orchid enthusiast who became concerned about the impact of a government-installed well near Gull Lake on the wetlands. To raise awareness, Bud rallied support and helped form NOCI. Surveys showed the area was home to 350 plant species, including 28 native orchids and 8 carnivorous plants. This led the Manitoba government to shut down the well and designate 560 hectares (1,385 acres) as an ecological reserve in 2005, expanding it to 1,240 hectares (3,064 acres) in 2012.

The Brokenhead Ojibway Nation (BON), which has used the wetlands for over 300 years, was consulted during the process. The land’s Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) status allowed BON to continue traditional practices like harvesting medicinal plants, hunting, and fishing while protecting the wetlands.

BON later proposed building a trail to help elders share their knowledge of the wetlands. Along with NOCI and the Manitoba Model Forest (MMF), they formed Debwendon Inc., a non-profit dedicated to protecting the wetlands and educating the public. The name "Debwendon," meaning “trust” in Ojibway, was suggested by the late BON Elder Lawrence Smith.

The trail project was funded by contributions from BON, NOCI, MMF, and others, including Eugene Reimer, who created a fund to maintain the trail. In 2011, the Manitoba government agreed to fund construction of a boardwalk, ensuring the wetlands could be visited without harming the plants. By 2015, the trail was complete with facilities like toilets and picnic tables, and it officially opened in June 2016.

Learn more about the trail here on the Debwendon website