Ashern, Manitoba, is a vibrant local urban district nestled in the Municipality of West Interlake in Manitoba's Interlake Region. As the largest community in the municipality, Ashern serves as a regional service centre to a trading area of approximately 8,000 people. The community thrives on agriculture, fishing, mineral extraction, recreation, and tourism industries.
The history of Ashern, Manitoba, dates back to the early 20th century when the Canadian National Railway arrived in the area in 1911. The community was named after A. S. Hern, a timekeeper of the firm that constructed the railway serving the Western Interlake.
In 1919, the Ashern Presbyterian Church was built, which later became the Ashern United Church in 1925. The Ashern School District was established in February 1911, and a new school building was constructed in 1953, which was later replaced with the present-day Ashern Central School.
Ashern was previously part of the Rural Municipality of Siglunes, incorporated in 1917, which amalgamated with RM of Eriksdale to become the Municipality of West Interlake in 2015.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Ashern, Manitoba, had a population of 616 living in 279 of its 326 total private dwellings. This was a 9% increase from its 2016 population of 565. With a land area of 3.01 km2, it had a population density of 204.7/km2 in 2021.
Ashern, Manitoba, is home to the world's largest sharptail grouse, a 5-metre-tall monument erected in 1979 to commemorate the birdwatching and hunting qualities of the area. The Ashern Museum, open seasonally between June and September, features six restored heritage buildings, including the Ashern fourth-class Canadian National Railway station and St. Michael’s Anglican Church.
The community hosts the Annual Ashern Rodeo during the Labour Day weekend, which includes a street dance, fireworks, parade, rodeo, and social. The Ashern Hornets, the local hockey team, plays in the South Interlake Hockey League.
Ashern, Manitoba, experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and very cold winters. Due to its position far from large moderating bodies of water and its quite high latitude, Ashern sees extreme temperature variation over the course of the year.
Ashern, Manitoba, has also made its mark in pop culture. The 1982 National Film Board film, The Pedlar, was shot in the town, showcasing its unique charm and character.
