She is known for her autobiographical books describing her experiences in the Canadian Arctic on scientific expeditions charting remote areas of Baffin Island.
Manning was born in Mill Village, near Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia to Frederick and Rachael Aida (née Wallace) Jackson and grew up on a farm.
She travelled on the Nascopie to meet him and join in his work surveying the Arctic and studying local flora and fauna.
[4] Manning learned to craft warm clothes and live independently in the Arctic without relying on local guides.
[2] Manning wrote about her experiences in the far north, with two books entitled Igloo for the Night[7] and A Summer on Hudson Bay[8] as well as an article describing the traditional garments worn in the area.