Winnipeg is located on Treaty 1 Territory on the original lands of the Anishnaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. The city is home to a large Indigenous community with deep-rooted history and is a centre for education, understanding and reconciliation. In fact, extensive archeological research and artifacts found at The Forks, where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers intersect in the middle of the city, indicates Indigenous trade dating back 6,000 years. Winnipeg is home to Canada’s largest per capita urban Indigenous population, with more than 90,000 people in the city identifying as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
As home of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), Winnipeg is central in teaching about Canada’s residential school history. NCTR opened in 2015 at the University of Manitoba and was created to preserve the memory of Canada’s residential school system and legacy.
There’s no better time than now to celebrate and support Indigenous talent and to continue to learn from Indigenous peoples and Knowledge Keepers about their cultures, histories and teachings when you hold your business event in Winnipeg. You will be helping to build stronger nation-to-nation relationships by inviting and welcoming Indigenous voices into your conference programs. This respectful relationship building is also part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action #92 for businesses.
Indigenous cultures and history at unique off-site venues
In accordance with these Calls to Action, Manitoba Museum offers programming to support reconciliation efforts that lay a foundation for understanding the history of Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba. The museum offers intensive artifact and exhibit centered tours, self-guided gallery explorations and workshops that explore Indigenous history and expand understanding about the Treaty relationship.
“For me, respecting the Treaty relationship starts with understanding the Treaty relationship. Knowing the history and moving forward with a willingness to take personal responsibility for the promises made that impact all of us today,” said Rachel Erickson, Director of Learning & Engagement, Manitoba Museum. “To respect the Treaty relationships, event organizers need to commit to Indigenous collaboration from the beginning and continue that collaboration with Indigenous partners on an ongoing basis. It means thinking in terms of community, a grassroots approach rather than a top-down ideology.”
The Museum offers a variety of professional development opportunities to engage participants in dialogue, self-reflection, and community-building, through programming that has been co-created by Indigenous community members including Elders, academics, artists and linguists.
The “Welcome to Treaty 1” program is a participatory workshop that explores the history of Treaty-making in what is now Manitoba.
“For groups looking for both introductory and specialized content, our Indigenous Focus tours can be tailored to various subject areas, including the history of Canadian colonialism through a close look at the Hudson’s Bay Company Collection, or the history of Indigenous trade and technology through our vast archaeological collections,” said Erickson.
Participants in larger conventions can take in a self-guided, multi-stop gallery experience at their own pace, featuring integrated audio and video content from Indigenous community members.
When it comes to attracting and welcoming more Indigenous delegates, Erickson has some advice for event planners:
“I think in many ways this is a question for organizers to ask Indigenous communities. In our experience, it means working with Indigenous partners at all phases of program development to ensure Indigenous voices are integrated into the stories we share with the public. It means coming together with Indigenous partners to create meaningful experiences for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors.”
For more ideas, read more about how Winnipeg’s unique off-site venues offer ways to deepen delegates’ connections to Indigenous Peoples by facilitating Indigenous cultures and teachings into your next meeting or event.
Event success stories
From large-scale conferences to championship sporting competitions, Winnipeg has an impressive list of success stories when it comes to hosting Indigenous events. Don’t take our word for it—read more about what planners are saying.
Winnipeg’s got talent
Tap into Winnipeg’s impressive pool of Indigenous talent with the help of Folklorama at Work to wow delegates and support local Indigenous participation. Read more.
