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| Geography |  The Rural Municipality (RM) of Miry Creek is located in southwest Saskatchewan, approximately 65 kilometers/41 miles northwest of Swift Current. The RM district includes Shackleton, Abbey, Lancer, the Abbey Colony, and the Wheatland Colony
| | History | The year 1907 brought the first homesteaders to the area. The vast changes that came from settling the land brought with it the need to establish some form of local government; hence, the Rural Municipality of Miry Creek No. 229 was created in 1913.
Council's first year saw the extension of the Canadian Pacific Railway from Cabri heading west into the municipality. The first municipal hall was built in 1916, and the first bylaw passed restricted livestock running at large. Council also made the decision that same year to have land located in the municipality assessed for the purpose of taxation.
The year 1918 held many trials for the settlers in the municipality including an influenza epidemic and a severe drought, bringing such hardship that the R.M. was called upon for relief in the form of food and clothing. The next several years continued to be challenging with settlers battling an overabundance of gophers and jackrabbits and a plague of grasshoppers.
Council called for another property assessment in 1926, and the settlers' efforts were finally rewarded with excellent crop years in 1927 and 1928. These bountiful years resulted in Council being able to purchase their first major road building equipment.
Following twelve years of discussion, in 1929 the Cabri Union Hospital district was formed and with some minor changes, still represents the district today.
Local residents who lived through the 'Dirty Thirties' agreed that the dry weather, wind, dust, and grasshoppers were the worst the municipality had ever experienced. For nearly seven years Council dealt almost exclusively with granting relief and controlling grasshoppers. 1937 saw cattle sold for one cent a pound, and in 1938 number one wheat sold for 19 cents a bushel.
Throughout those difficult years the farmer population in the municipality dwindled to half of its original number of 633. It wasn't until the forties and early fifties that the municipality once again saw prosperous times. A large amount of arrears from the nineteen thirties were finally collected and the municipality once again began to grow, purchasing additional road building equipment, providing snow removal services, and adding a compressor station to its assessment base.
Today the Rural Municipality of Miry Creek No. 229 continues to provide services to the local residents. The primary industry within the area is still agriculture, although a recent major gas discovery in the area has provided a welcome boost to the local economy.
Today's farmers continue to face as many challenges as their predecessors did, but residents are hopeful that the farming and ranching lifestyle our community enjoys will be maintained for many generations to come.
| | Economic Information | The RM of Miry Creek has an economic base of mainly agriculture and cattle.
| | Attractions | HUNTING
Hunters from around the world come to Lancer, Abbey, Shackleton and area to enjoy the plentitude of game in a scenic, pristine environment. Pronghorn antelope, mule and white tail deer, geese and ducks are found in abundance.
CABRI REGIONAL PARK
The Cabri Regional Park is located on the South Saskatchewan River just West of Lake Diefenbaker. The park provides quiet family camping with activities for the whole family. There is boating, swimming, hiking, and regular special events. The biggest event occurs the last weekend in July; it features a 'frolic in the park.' The event includes daily entertainment, beer gardens, and children's entertainment.
BOGGY LAKE
Boggy Lake is a man-made 'duck hotel' that provides a natural nesting and staging area for water fowl.
Other local attractions to Lancer, Abbey and Shackleton are the many area ranches and farms, and the abundant hills and river to take a scenic walk around to enjoy all the animals in their natural habitats.
| | Other Info | Students residing in the RM of Miry Creek travel to Abbey and Cabri for educational services. The schools located in Abbey and Cabri house students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Community groups include Knights of Columbus, Royal Canadian Legion, Legion Auxiliary, 50 Plus Club, 4-H Club, hockey team, skating and curling rinks.
There are three churches in the municipality, a Catholic and a United church in Lancer and a United Church in Abbey.
Abbey offers the following recreational facilities: a curling rink, skating rink, tennis court, ball diamonds, playground, golf course, community hall, and a legion hall. Lancer offers ball diamonds, playground and a community hall.
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