June is National Indigenous History Month – here’s how to celebrate

Winnipeg is located on Treaty One Territory, the original lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininiwak, Dakota and Dene peoples and on the homeland of the Red River Métis.

We encourage visitors and residents alike to take time to learn more about Indigenous histories, arts and cultures in our city. On June 21, we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day (opens in new window) during summer solstice – the longest day of the year – which has traditionally been throughout history a time for Indigenous cultural celebration.

Indigenous culture isn’t just the foundation of Winnipeg’s past. It’s part of nearly every experience found within the city. Here are a variety of ways you can celebrate these dynamic and diverse cultures as we work toward Reconciliation.

Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples’ Day events

Indigenous History Month at the Manitoba Museum

Throughout the month at the Manitoba Museum, keep your eyes open for animals in the gallery that are included in their Anishinaabemowin with Amik language game. Learn new words in Indigenous languages spoken across Manitoba with their new Indigenous History Month Trail.

On a weekday afternoons, head to the Planetarium to learn about the stars with Ininew star knowledge expert WIlfred Buck.

Find the full details here (opens in new window).

Assiniboine Park

Head to Assiniboine Park for a day filled of music, entertainment and more in the Outdoor Gardens at The Leaf on June 20. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can enjoy music, dance, food trucks, fire teachings, teepee teachings, tours and bannock giveaway.

See the full schedule and list of events (opens in new window) here.

FortWhyte Alive

On June 20, grab your friends and family and head to FortWhyte Alive to explore the interactive, self-guided scavenger hunts at the Richardson Interpretive Centre focused on the Seven Sacred Teachings (Niizhwaaswi Gagiikwewin) and the Indigenous languages of Manitoba. Witness the raising of a new tipi along the Storied Peoples Trail from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., led by Knowledge Keeper Jaime Grasby, with the unveiling of a new tipi design by artist Annie Beach. Or catch a screening of The Lake Winnipeg Project, directed by Kevin Settee at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Get more information (opens in new window) here.

National Indigenous Peoples Day @ at WAG-Quamajuq

On June 21, tour WAG-Qaumajuq and look at Indigenous artwork with Indigenous Education Coordinator Rebecca McIvor, beginning at noon. After the tour, join the art making workshop from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. After, make your way to the rooftop sculpture garden for a concert, snacks from Shelley’s Bistro and a fiddle jam. So make sure to grab your fiddle and join in on the fun!

See more details (opens in new window) here.

Month-long Indigenous stories at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Join Knowledge Keeper Marilyn Dykstra and Traditional Helper Peyton on June 27th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights as she leads the Summer Solstice and Egg Laying Full Moon Potluck Celebration, highlighting Cree culture and teachings. Or, roam through the Indigenous Perspectives gallery and see a film in the 360-degree theatre, which shares stories of Indigenous rights and responsibilities, as told through four different generations.

Full details here (opens in new window).

Manitoba Children’s Museum

On June 21, enjoy a full day of celebration, culture and community at the Manitoba Children’s Museum. Listen to live singing and drumming with Barb Nepinak, Storytelling & Songs with Niigaanwewidam Sinclair and Storytelling & Teepee Building led by their program team at noon and 2:00 p.m. Let your creative side run wild with a colouring activity inspired by the official National Indigenous Peoples Day imagery, featuring symbols representing First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures. Free admission all day for First Nations, Inuit and Métis visitors.

See all the details (opens in new window) here.

Many Nations, One Heartbeat ᐊᐧᐦᑯᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ Wáhkóhtowin: National Indigenous Peoples Day at The Forks

Following the flow of the river and the path of ancestors, the first day of the 11-day celebration, Many Nations, One Heartbeat ᐊᐧᐦᑯᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ Wáhkóhtowin, opens with a sacred fire and welcomes everyone into a day of ceremony, remembrance and resilience. From June 21 to July 1, experience a community powwow, Indigenous artist performances, art activations, markets, food trucks and more from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

See the full schedule and programming (opens in new window)here.

Historic Sites

The Forks National Historic Site

The grounds of The Forks (opens in new window) have been a meeting place for Indigenous people for over 6,000 years. When you’re there, be sure to walk around and stop by Niizhoziibean (‘two rivers’ in Ojibway), which honours Winnipeg’s Indigenous history and its place along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, and the Oodena celebration circle.

Learn about treaties one to 11 and experiences between the First Nation people and the Crown at Agowiidiwinan Centre (opens in new window) through visual and interactive tools, as well as treaty education sessions. The Agowiidiwinan Centre was created by the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, prompted by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report.

The Forks is also a great place to explore Indigenous history by taking part in a walking tour of the area. The newest guided tour, “Where Our Stories Meet” (opens in new window) covers the history of First Nations, settlers and Métis Nation in Manitoba. “One Heart, Two Rivers, Four Directions (opens in new window)” explores Indigenous connections to The Forks and can be accessed by downloading the Parks Canada National App on Apple (opens in new window) or Android (opens in new window) devices.

Enjoy the outdoors with a 45-minute walking tour from Turtle Tours (opens in new window), owned and operated by award-winning tourism operator Ashley Smith, a proud Anishinaabe Ikwe, and explore the grounds that are home to over 6,000 years of Indigenous history.

For more treaty history, visit the Lower Fort Garry National Historic site (opens in new window) north of Winnipeg, where Treaty No. 1 was signed in 1871.

Located in the middle of the city, Upper Fort Garry Provincial Park (opens in new window) pays homage to this region’s history through a massive Heritage Wall full of art, inscriptions and a sound and light show that plays regularly throughout the day and evening.

Local restaurants & makers

Support local Indigenous-led makers by visiting Cree-Ations Artist Showcase (opens in new window) on Main Street where you’ll find handmade moccasins, art, beadwork and so much more. Teekca’s Aboriginal Boutique (opens in new window), which offers handmade, Manitoba-made gifts, now has three locations across the city, including a large shop at The Forks Market. Also at The Forks, the new Manitoba Mukluks (opens in new window) shop (opens in new window) is a real stunner and a great spot to find some of the best footwear made on Turtle Island. In the hip South Osborne neighbourhood you’ll find Anne Mulaire (opens in new window), a Winnipeg fashion designer of French-Métis descent committed to fair trade, environmental stewardship and inclusive sizing.

To experience Ojibway, Cree and Métis cuisine, check out our Indigenous Culinary Guide (opens in new window). Learn about pizza joints like Shelly’s Indigenous Bistro (served on bannock) and T-Town Style Pizza; Métis spots showcasing many local suppliers serving breakfast through dinner like Bistro on Notre Dame and Promenade Brasserie; food truck The Indigenous Kitchen; and Feast Café Bistro whose owner Christa Bruneau-Guenther is a Food Network regular.

Plus, there’s Manoomin (opens in new window), located within the new Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport hotel owned by Long Plain First Nation (more on that below). Manoomin means “wild rice” in Ojibway, and the menu (breakfast through dinner) is run by Red Seal chef Jennifer Ballantyne, a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

Where to stay

You’ll love the soothing Earth-tone colour palette and Indigenous culture embedded from top to bottom at the Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport (opens in new window) hotel. Owned by Long Plain First Nation, the hotel is located Treaty One Territory on Long Plain Madison Reserve, the city’s first urban reserve.

Run by Sparrow Hotels, the 132-room hotel features a unique curvature not seen in your typical hotel blocks as a reflection of the circle of life. Space for natural light is also prominent throughout the hotel, which was designed to greet the sun with an east-facing main entrance, a common theme among Indigenous traditions and cultures. Smudging and pipe ceremonies are welcome in the hotel, with spaces built to fire code keeping these important traditions top-of-mind.

The hotel offers bilingual service in English and Ojibway, with way-finding signs throughout. Located in the lobby, Kookum’s Korner is open 24/7, offering beautiful pieces of jewellery and dream catchers for purchase, supporting Long Plains First Nation artists. The well-appointed rooms feature bathrooms with touch mirrors, allowing you to customize the light settings to your needs, while the property also has a waterslide and pool area.

Learn more here (opens in new window).

Watch, listen, read

There are many TV shows, podcasts, films, documentaries and online resources available to help celebrate Indigenous history and experiences. Check out APTN (opens in new window) and CBC (opens in new window) for a full list.