Situated on the Gatineau River, along Route 105 and located north-west of Montreal, Quebec, lies the town of Maniwaki. It was given its algonquian name (meaning 'Mary's Land') by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
The first settlers of the region were the Algonquins. The Réserve de la Rivière Désert, also known as the Kitigan Zibi Reserve, is just to the south of Maniwaki. 150 years, the Reverend Oblate Fathers founded a mission. Soon after, wood merchants, farmers, trade workers, businessmen and professionals came to live, drawn by the forest's wealth. Maniwaki was founded in 1849. Forestry became the livelihood of many settlers in this still virgin region. Irish, French and American Indians all contributed to the development of the town. Maniwaki was officially founded in 1851 and obtained the status of "Ville de la province de Québec" in 1957.