May 2, 2020
8 min. read
2020 marks Manitoba's 150th year as a province, so get ready to show some provincial pride.
Metis, Mennonites and More
Manitoba joined Confederation in 1870, making it Canada’s fifth province. Influenced by Louis Riel and his staunch protection of Métis rights, the Manitoba Act came into effect on May 12, 1870. Over the next decade, settlers from Ontario, Iceland and Mennonite communities poured into the new province, making it the culturally diverse region it is today. Honour our proud Métis, First Nations and European heritage with Explore 150, an app inspiring you to visit 150 attractions and landmarks across Manitoba. Download it on the App Store or Google Play. Register and check in at locations to earn badges and entries to win monthly and yearly prizes, valued between $1,000 and $10,000. (Insider tip: off-the-beaten-path locales score more entries.)
Commuinity Spirit
Local celebrations and events to honour Manitoba 150.
June 20: At the Carberry 150 Celebration, visitors of all ages can partake in old-fashioned fun like potato sack races, classic carnival games, a strawberry social and barn dance.
June 27: Taking place at the Manitoba Legislative grounds, Unite 150 is a full-day outdoor concert showcasing Manitoba musicians, plus locally made spirits, beer and cuisine.
Aug 7-9: The International Peace Garden hosts a family-friendly weekend with games, food and fun to honour Manitoba’s milestone and friendly cross-border relations.
Indigenous Insights
More than 220,000 Aboriginal people live in Manitoba. Here are a few ways to honour these vibrant cultures.
June 21: The Aboriginal School of Dance presents Te’Pakohp, a performance showcasing the seven teachings of First Nations people: love, respect, honesty, courage, humility, wisdom and truth. Winnipeg’s Centennial Concert Hall.
Enjoy a meal that nourishes both body and spirit at Winnipeg’s Feast Café, which serves modern dishes using traditional First Nations ingredients.
Try your hand at dog carting, the summer equivalent of dog sledding, at Wapusk Adventures near Churchill. Under the guidance of an accomplished Métis musher, the huskies lead you along historic Indigenous trails.
Amazing Manitobans.
Every year, 103.1 Virgin Radio host Ace Burpee compiles a list of the most fascinating Manitobans. A notable Manitoban in his own right, here are some of Burpee’s top picks for this sesquicentennial year.
Skylar Park Amateur taekwondo competitor who will represent Team Canada at the next Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Rhonda Head World renowned mezzo-soprano and brave brain-tumour survivor from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation near The Pas.
Anandakumar Palanichamy Founder and CEO of Dr. Beetroot Canada, which makes beet ketchup, juice, sauce and other beetrelated goodies.
Del Duffield A true links lover and amateur golfer who has officially teed off on all 131 public golf courses in the province of Manitoba.
Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus Established in 1969, the ensemble has recorded 10 albums and regularly sings the anthem at Jets games.