Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement is located along the MacKenzie Highway (Highway 35) and is 70 kilometres south of High Level and 1 hour and 14 minutes north of Manning. The total population is 464 with a land base of 169,909 hectares.
Paddle Prairie got its name -- Well, it was told that the Beaver people called the settlement home and it was wet/swampy and the mode of transportation was the canoe. In time the people moved north and the swamps disappeared but the canoe and paddles were left behind. When the Europeans eventually settled in the community they found the canoes and paddles hanging in the trees so goes the name Paddle Prairie.
Source: http://www.learning-communities.ca/communities/paddle-prairie
Predominant Language: English and Cree
Nearest Town/City: High Level
Services: Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement office, Paddle Prairie School, post office, community arena, gas station, health centre, day-care, head-start program, Northern Lakes College campus, general store, Tompkins Evangelical Church and local construction companies.
Recreation: Fishing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, hockey and baseball.
Attractions: Twin Lakes Provincial Park, R.E. Walter Memorial Aquatic Centre and the Peace River.
Banking: The following banks are available in High Level:
CIBC, Bank of Montreal and the Alberta Treasury Branch.
Media: 106.1 KIX FM, YL Country, 89.9 FM CFWE Radio, 92.7 FM CIAM Radio and The Echo newspaper.