Endiang
Endiang | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Alberta |
| Census division | No. 7 |
| Municipal district | County of Stettler No. 6 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Unincorporated |
| • Governing body | County of Stettler No. 6 Council |
| • Area councillor | Les Stulberg |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.70 km2 (0.27 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 870 m (2,850 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 35 |
| • Density | 50/km2 (130/sq mi) |
| • Dwellings | 12 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
Endiang, Alberta is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within the County of Stettler No. 6.[2] It is located approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi) southeast of Stettler, Alberta.
Although Endiang enjoyed fair prosperity in the early years of the 20th century, the Great Depression, World War II, and years of poor weather have led to the depopulation of the local farming community, and with it, of the hamlet. In former years, Endiang was home to a post office, two general stores, two hardware stores, bank, train station, grain elevators, hotel and pool hall, gas station, tractor dealership, lumber yard, and all the other establishment expected in most communities. Today, Endiang is still home to a community hall and a restaurant. Its population in 2011 was 35.[1]
The hamlet is located in census division No. 7 and in the federal riding of Crowfoot.
History
A little known fact about Endiang is that during the cold war it was considered the place most likely for conflict between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. to begin. If the Soviet Union were to have fired a missile first, and the American military were to respond, it was considered likely that the two missiles would collide over Endiang. This fact was immortalised in the poem "Armageddon at Endiang, Alberta".
An interesting bit of history is that the original settlement of Endiang was located about 5 kilometers northeast of the present hamlet and was established by William Foreman on his homestead in 1910. It was named for a summer resort hotel the Foreman family owned in the Muskoka Lakes region of Ontario, named "Endiang," from the Anishinaabe language Endaayaang, meaning "our home".[3] The tiny settlement included a post office, store and hall. When the CNR built a railroad through the area in 1925 it missed the original settlement, so with the aid of horse power the buildings were moved to the new site of Endiang.
Endiang is also notable for being the home to the Shaben family, some of whom were involved in the establishment of the first mosque in Alberta.
NHL hockey player Darcy Tucker who played for Montreal, Tampa Bay, Toronto and Colorado was raised at Endiang and his family still resides there.
The history of the Endiang area was first recorded in local author Jean James' book This Was Endiang.[4] In 2002 the history of the area was updated with family histories included in the book "Endiang - Our Home". The latest 650 page history book was the project of the Endiang History Book Committee.[5]
The Endiang community celebrated their Centennial on July 23–25, 2010.
Geography
Endiang is located on a plain bounded by ranges of hills to the west and south, and by Sullivan Lake, a large alkali lake to the east. The Chain Lakes lie to the southwest. Its geography and climate is similar to that of most other prairie areas of East-Central and Southern Alberta, experiencing cold winters broken up by Chinook winds, and warm, dry summers. In recent years, Endiang has experienced both extreme droughts and extreme wet conditions, having a great impact on the local farming community, although this sort of weather pattern is typical of other such areas found in Palliser's Triangle.
Endiang's closest neighbor is the small hamlet of Byemoor, located about 8 miles (13 km) to the west. Together the two communities are commonly referred to as "Endmoor".
Demographics
As a designated place in the 2011 Census, Endiang had a population of 35 living in 12 of its 12 total dwellings, a 0% change from its 2006 population of 35. With a land area of 0.7 km2 (0.27 sq mi), it had a population density of 50/km2 (129/sq mi) in 2011.[1]
As of 2006, Endiang had a total population of 35 living in 14 dwellings. With a land area of 0.70 km2 (0.27 sq mi), it has a population density of 50.2/km2 (130/sq mi).[6]
Flora and fauna
Endiang, and the surrounding area is notable for its wide variety of wildlife: the characteristic native flora are prairie plants, interspersed with stands of aspen, willow (including silver willow), and other shrubs, such as saskatoon berry.
Characteristic native fauna include such prairie animals as Pronghorn, Richardson's Ground Squirrel, Coyote, Garter Snakes, and numerous species of birds, amphibians, and rodents. Many species common to similar parkland environments can also be found around Endiang, such as Moose, Whitetailed Deer and Mule Deer.
Hunting
Endiang has long been known for its excellent hunting grounds, especially rich in fall-migrating waterfowl, which feed on the harvest residue in the farm fields surrounding Sullivan Lake. Large flocks of Ross's Geese and Snow Geese are common visitors, as are Canada Geese, and numerous types of duck.
Deer and moose have also become popular in recent years.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2012-04-07.
- ^ Alberta Municipal Affairs (2010-04-01). "Specialized and Rural Municipalities and Their Communities" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ^ Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary
- ^ Jean James - This Was Endiang
- ^ Endiang History Book Committee (2002). Endiang : Our Home. ISBN 1-550056-862-0.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: length (help) - ^ Statistics Canada (2007). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2006 and 2001 censuses". Retrieved 2010-01-29.
