Tourism Winnipeg

Manitoba Museum: Abby Matheson Renowned Indigenous Manitoba-founded fashion footwear brand Manitobah Mukluks built its flagship store on the second floor of The Forks Market. They recently announced their B Corporation™ certification, affirming the brand's commitment to meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport is a full-service hotel located on the first Urban Reserve in Winnipeg; the Long Plain Madison Reserve located on Treaty One Territory. The hotel is owned by Long Plain First Nation and operated by Winnipeg-based Sparrow Hotels. It includes Manoomin Restaurant (translates to wild rice), where Manitoba ingredients take centre stage. You'll find numerous dishes highlighting bison, berries, grains, granola, seeds and pickerel on the earth-inspired menu, with Red Seal Executive Chef Jennifer Ballantyne from Opaskwayak Cree Nation at the helm. At the Agowiidiwinan Centre, run by the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba (TRCM), learn about treaties through a short tour using visual and interactive tools, showcasing oral history, archival history and a contemporary understanding of Treaties. You can also craft your own soapstone carving under the guidance of Fredrick Spence, an Indigenous artist from Peguis First Nation, and hear his journey of reconnecting with culture and identity. View the world's largest collection of contemporary Inuit art at the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq Inuit art centre, which houses nearly 14,000 pieces. It is home to a stunning three-storey visible vault. The Forks is rich with Indigenous art and cultural elements that reflect the city's long history and deep connection to the land. Paying homage to more than 6,000 years of Indigenous history, Oodena Celebration Circle features a sundial, a naked-eye observatory and ceremonial fire pit. The South Point area of The Forks has been officially named Niizhoziibean (phonetically pronounced Nee-zho- zhi-been) to honour the city's Indigenous heritage and its prominent place alongside the Red and Assiniboine rivers. The space includes a Wiigiwaam – a traditional lodge amongst the Ojibwe or Anishinaabe people – as well as benches, tables, grandfather rocks and traditional elements, such as a ceremonial offerings table and a fire pit. One of the original Indigenous-owned and operated restaurants in Canada rooted in First Nations cuisine, Feast Café has been hugely successful since opening in 2016, paving the way for an incredible Indigenous culinary scene in Winnipeg. Shelly's Indigenous Bistro, available for takeout, features Bannock and fry bread alongside other comfort food favourites. T-Town Style Pizza brings the extra hearty style of pies popular in northern Manitoba to the capital. Métis cafés, Promenade Brasserie and Bistro on Notre Dame, each offer their own unique takes on breakfast through dinner. Adding to this vibrant scene is Sharecuterie, an Indigenous and woman- owned artisanal charcuterie café and cocktail bar that also offers locally sourced delivery and catering services. Wander Parks Canada's Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, where Treaty No. 1 was signed in 1871—the first of its kind in Canada. Take a stroll through the grounds, watch historical demonstrations and participate in interactive activities led by costumed interpreters. Step back in time with a stroll through Saint-Boniface and uncover stories of resilience, self-determination and community that shape the enduring spirit of the Red River Métis, with the legacy of Louis Riel, a Métis leader and father of the province. Feel the beat of the drums at the Manito Ahbee, one of Canada's largest Indigenous cultural celebrations. The event includes an international Pow Wow competition, a marketplace featuring Indigenous art, jewelry and clothing, performances by top Indigenous musicians and more. Contemporary Indigenous works can be found at Urban Shaman artist- run centre and traditional art from caribou hair tufting to birch bark biting at Canadian Plains Gallery. Visit Bill Worb Furs, one of the last independent fur and leather houses in Canada, bringing the product of trappers and harvesters of Northern Canada to world markets. Participate in Indigenous art workshops at Manitoba Museum, as part of the museum's push toward skills repatriation. INDIGENOUS ROOTS Winnipeg's Indigenous roots run deep, dating back thousands of years to when bison hunters flourished on the wide-open prairie. Today, there are plenty of ways to explore Indigenous culture and history in Winnipeg, from attractions and cuisine to hands-on experiences, tours and more. 13 Legends + Tales • Volume 12 • 2025

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