The first settlers came to this territory, now Miniota Municipality in 1879. Some settled near the Minnewashta Creek, which then was a deep, rapid running stream. During the two following seasons most of the even numbered sections were homesteaded and whole sections on the Arrow River were under cultivation.

Until 1881, this settlement with Beulah as its centre, was really part of the North-West Territories. During that year the Manitoba Legislature had this territory and others incorporated into the province of Manitoba. Counties were set up and our settlement was included in the Shoal Lake county, which took in all land now in the present municipalities of Shoal Lake, Ellice, Birtle, Archie, Miniota and Hamiota. This large area was again divided and only land which is now Archie, Miniota and Hamiota was known as the south half of Shoal Lake County, with W. A. Doyle of Beulah, as reeve.

As these changes took place names had to be found for new areas. Mr. Doyle, along with a surveyor named Mr. Bulger discussed the matter of naming the above area. Because Mr. Bulger had had "the best drink of water in his life" from a spring creek when surveying sections in township 13, range 27, [W1], they decided upon the name Miniota, for Mr. Doyle's division – "Minnie" the Sioux word for water and Ota" for plenty.

In 1884, another division was made and three municipalities were formed from the south half of Shoal Lake County. The eastern part was named Hamiota, the western part Archie, while this part retained the name Miniota. Thus the present municipality of Miniota, comprising of townships 13, 14, and 15, in ranges 25, 26 and 27 [W1] was formed.

The village of Miniota was founded in 1899 upon the completion of what was known as the Hamiota extension. It was named after the existing municipality. A source of pleasure to those who have lived in and visited Miniota through the years, has been the beautiful Assiniboine Valley, close to whose banks the village is situated.

The care of the cemetery has been a concern of the Women's Institute from the very beginning. The first committee formed in 1920 was Mrs. T. Stewart, Mrs. W. Hodnett, and Mrs. J. Fraser. In the early years the society raised considerable money for caretaking and cemetery improvement. One of our members, Mrs. Chris. Ellerington is a representative on the present cemetery board [1967] and acts as secretary treasurer. We still pay an annual contribution for its support.

At a council meeting on December, 1904, a selected committee from Council to locate a local cemetery reported that a site on Mr. Gib Rowan's land overlooking the Assiniboine Valley to the west had been accepted. It was surveyed into lots and in 1906, Mr. Gib Rowan was appointed caretaker at a salary of $10 per year'. Improvements were deemed necessary and in 1916 the W.I., then known as the Home Economics Society, decided to help with the upkeep of the cemetery and help financially. Many trees and shrubs were planted and roads and walks were surveyed. A part of the cemetery was set aside for Veterans.

In 1951, a cemetery board was formed and with financial help from Council, town council and W.I., many improvements were made. From then to the present day letters are sent yearly to plot owners and a yearly three dollar contribution is given by many. Some of the caretakers have been Mr. Birch, Mr. J. Desmond, Mr. T. Conover, Mr. J. Grant and Mr. J. Fraser.

(Source: Bridging the Years, 1879 - 1967, pp 17f, p 120, p 212 [1967; Adapted])

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Established in 1904, when the council reported they had selected this parcel of land. It was surveyed into lots in 1906. 

There is an iron gate with "Miniota Cemetery 1904" at the entrance. There is a road running west from this gate with a hedge on the north side. There are also hedges on the north and east sides of the cemetery. There is another gate in the east side.

The cemetery is above the Assiniboine Valley. 

(Source: Manitoba Genealogical Society [Adapted])

A monument inside the cemetery gate was dedicated in July 1983 for pioneers of the Miniota district and those in unmarked graves.

(Source: Manitoba Historical Society [Adapted])

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Dominion Land Survey coordinates: LSD14-36-13-27-W1

In the Municipality of Prairie View

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As noted above, a part of the community's story, and those of its inhabitants, from the early days of European settlement through roughly 1967 is told in the volume "Bridging the Years, 1879 - 1967", especially on the cited pages. A free digital version of this and many other Manitoba local history books can be found online in the University of Manitoba Digital Collections. There is also a list of such books organized by district and town name on the Manitoba Historical Society's website on their page entitled "Finding Aid: Manitoba Local History Books".

A list of burials in this cemetery is available from the Manitoba Genealogical Society (reference #0086), transcribed by a member or members in 1980 and updated in 2001. Also available to MGS members is a searchable online database named the "MGS Manitoba Name Index" (or MANI). Some additional information is contained in the 1996 MGS publication "Carved in Stone: Manitoba Cemeteries and Burial Sites" (revised edition, Special Projects Publication, 106 pages).