Winnipeg Guides | Tourism Winnipeg

Indigenous-run tourism is reconciliation in action, providing a powerful way for communities to reclaim traditions, share stories and heal.  

This Winnipeg Indigenous experiences guide will help you explore teachings passed down through generations, walk natural landscapes rich in cultural significance and seek the wisdom that continues to shape First Nation, Métis and Inuit ways of life. Through these experiences, cultural preservation, revitalization and reconciliation are not only made possible but celebrated. 

Attractions and Festivals 

Agowiidiwinan Centre

Located at The Forks, the Agowiidiwinan Centre is a new facility established by the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba. Through oral histories, archival documents and engaging displays, the Centre fosters a deeper, contemporary understanding of treaties and their ongoing significance. 

Indigenous Peoples Garden at The Leaf

Elders and community members came together to work with two local Indigenous designers to create this space at Winnipeg's newest high-profile attraction. Indigenous youth helped in the garden's construction –– from planting trees to building the boardwalk –– while the plants species throughout the expansive grounds include local prairie grasses and perennials. Two elements, fire and water, feature prominently in the garden due to their importance in Indigenous cultures, while there are also spaces for performances and storytelling. 

Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site  

Stand where Treaty No. 1 was signed by the seven chiefs of the Ojibwe and Swampy Cree First Nations, creating the foundation of modern Manitoba. Discover the history of the Indigenous communities in the surrounding area and explore storied grounds that feature a bison-hide teepee and a wigwam, both crafted by local Indigenous builders. 

Manito Ahbee Festival (May 16-19, 2025)

Celebrating 20 years in 2025, the Manito Ahbee Festival is one of the largest annual gatherings of Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island. The festival brings together diverse cultures and communities to celebrate heritage and inspire through marquee events like a massive three-day powwow, a tipi-raising contest, the Red Road Cultural Clothing & Wearable Art Showcase, and a bustling marketplace featuring artisanal works from across the continent. 

Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre Inc.

As the largest cultural education centre in Manitoba, MICEC offers a space for people to learn about Indigenous peoples and their histories. The main facility, located in North Point Douglas, houses over 14,000 books, along with hundreds of artifacts and works of art, all available for public viewing and exploration. 

Manitoba Museum

Notable exhibits include We Are All Treaty People and the newly expanded Prairies Gallery, which addresses Residential Schools and historic injustices tied to the land. When you enter, you're immediately met by the iconic Welcome Gallery, home to a striking life-sized diorama of a Métis bison hunt that provides a powerful glimpse into the region’s Indigenous history. The Manitoba Museum also works closely with an Indigenous Advisory Circle and is dedicated to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action.  

Niizhoziibean

Niizhoziibean is a unique space that pays tribute to Winnipeg’s Indigenous heritage. Located at The Gathering Space at The Forks, it features The Wiigiwaam, public art and natural pathways. Home to one of Canada’s most significant collections of Indigenous-led public art, Niizhoziibean stands as a powerful reflection of culture at this historic site where 6,000 years of Indigenous history have been documented at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.  

Oodena Celebration Circle

Oodena Celebration Circle, an open-air amphitheater, honours over 6,000 years of Indigenous presence in the region. Named after the Cree word for "centre of the city," it features celestial sculptures, a sundial, interpretive elements, and a ceremonial fire pit that is annually used to begin the Manito Ahbee Festival. Altogether, it provides a powerful space for reflection and celebration. 

Riel House National Historic Site  

Step into the life of Louis Riel, Métis leader and founder of Manitoba, at his family’s historic house. Explore Riel’s legacy and his struggle to protect the social, cultural and political rights of the Métis people after the Hudson’s Bay Company sold Rupert’s Land to the Dominion of Canada. You can also visit Riel’s grave at the nearby Saint-Boniface Cathedral Cemetery. 

Rooster town kettle monument  

This stainless-steel monument was created by local artist Ian August to commemorate the Métis community of Rooster Town. From 1901 to 1960, this vibrant community stood where Grant Park Shopping Centre and the Pan Am Pool are now located. The kettle symbolizes the community’s traditional hospitality and the water rights of Indigenous peoples. You can find the monument on Hurst Way, near Beaumont Station on the Southwest Transitway in Winnipeg. 

Ross House

Ross House was the first official post office in Western Canada. Built in 1854 for William and Jemima Ross, members of a prominent Métis family in the Red River Settlement, it offers visitors an immersive look into daily life in early Manitoba. Note: Open seasonally From June 1 to August 24 [fact-check before publishing], Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Seven Oaks House Museum

Built between 1851 and 1853 for John and Mary (Sinclair) Inkster, prominent members of an influential Scottish-Métis family in the Red River Settlement, Seven Oaks House is the oldest surviving residence in Winnipeg. This heritage site offers a glimpse into life in the 19th century. Admission is by donation. Opens May long weekend to Labour Day 

Recreation 

The Player Course

The Player Course is Winnipeg’s finest 9-hole championship-length golf course, welcoming golfers of all skill levels. It is 100 per cent Indigenous-owned and proudly operated by the Southeast Resource Development Council. 

Accommodations 

Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport | 460 Madison St. 

Winnipeg Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport opened in 2022 offering modern amenities including an indoor pool, fitness center, on-site dining at Manoomin (meaning wild rice in Ojibway) and meeting spaces. Located on the Long Plain Madison Reserve, it is the city's first hotel on an urban reserve, blending contemporary comfort with cultural significance. 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 front of mind.

Tours 

Where Our Stories Meet

Where Our Stories Meet at The Forks National Historic Site explores the rich histories of the First Nations who traded here for thousands of years and the Red River Métis who shaped the land during the fur trade era. Running from May to September, this powerful tour connects the past and present.

Visual arts 

Urban Shaman Contemporary Aboriginal Art Gallery

A nationally recognized leader in Aboriginal arts programming, Urban Shaman is a key venue for Indigenous art in Canada. The gallery focuses on innovative presentations of Indigenous art, providing a platform for artistic expression across disciplines and fostering the growth of Indigenous art. 

WAG–Qaumajuq  

One of Canada’s leading art museums, WAG–Qaumajuq features exhibitions of local, national and international art. It is home to the world’s largest collection of contemporary Inuit art, including the Visible Vault, which houses nearly 5,000 carvings from Arctic communities. Qaumajuq also presents new Indigenous-focused and curated exhibits, while the WAG constantly works with an  Indigenous Advisory Circle and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Collaborators.  

Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival

As the longest-standing Indigenous film festival in Western Canada, the Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival showcases feature-length films, short film collections and inspiring documentaries by leading Indigenous filmmakers. This three-day event celebrates Indigenous storytelling through cinema. 

Where to shop 

Anishinaabe Girl Designs | 165 Lilac St 

Anishinaabe Girl Designs showcases locally made Indigenous clothing, accessories, jewelry and more. Each piece incorporates tradition resulting in one-of-a-kind designs that reflect cultural identity and connection to nature. 

Anne Mulaire | 421 Mulvey Ave 

Designer Andréanne Mulaire Dandeneau is an award-winning Canadian fashion designer of French-Métis descent, driven by a passion to empower the women who wear her creations. Her designs are woven from the threads of our culture, blending tradition with contemporary elegance. 

Canadian Plains Gallery | 106–181 Higgins Ave 

Canadian Plains Gallery is dedicated to promoting the highest quality art from Manitoba’s premiere Aboriginal artists. The gallery features a diverse collection including paintings, carvings, sculptures, original jewelry, beadwork, pottery, photography, prints and more. Discover a wide selection of meaningful and culturally rich gifts for yourself or loved ones. 

Dene Cree Designs | 1761 Wellington Ave and Kildonan Place Shopping Centre  

Dene Cree Designs is a gift shop that celebrates Indigenous culture through beautifully crafted, Indigenous-inspired accessories. From jewelry and home goods to artwork, the shop offers a wide selection of items that honor and share Indigenous traditions. 

INAC (Indigenous Nations Apparel Company) | CF Polo Park and 1485 Portage Ave 

Established in 2021, INAC is the first Indigenous-owned apparel brand in CF Polo Park. The store offers affordable everyday clothing, giftware, accessories, and more, all blending Indigenous culture with modern style. 

Indigo Arrows

An Indigenous-led interior design and textile studio, Indigo Arrows brings traditional Indigenous design into modern spaces. Offering a unique collection of interior design services, textiles, and home goods, the studio beautifully weaves culture, storytelling, and contemporary style into every piece. 

Indigenous Reflections | 1200 Sherwin Rd #410 

Indigenous Reflections provides high-quality Indigenous educational materials and products that promote Indigenous values, culture and traditional ways of life. A trusted resource for schools, organizations, and individuals seeking meaningful cultural learning tools. 

Manitobah Mukluks | The Forks Market 

Manitobah Mukluks creates authentic, functional footwear that blends traditional design with modern materials. Offering moccasins and mukluks for all, the brand proudly celebrates Indigenous culture and craftsmanship. 

MANTiC | 1469 Main St 

MANTiC is a family-owned Indigenous store offering a unique selection of books, jewelry, clothing and more. Rooted in culture and community, the shop blends Indigenous identity with metaphysical and spiritual offerings. 

Teekca’s Aboriginal Boutique | 1654 St. Matthews Ave, The Forks Market and St. Vital Centre, 1225 St. Mary’s Rd 

Teekca’s Aboriginal Boutique offers a wide range of handcrafted items made in Manitoba, including mukluks, moccasins, dream catchers, caribou tufting, soapstone carvings, turquoise jewelry and more. The boutique proudly features artworks by local Indigenous artists such as Doris Cyrette, Marcus Houston, Maxine Noel and others 

Winnipeg Trading Post | 1128 Main St 

A local craft store offering a wide variety of handcrafted Indigenous items, including dreamcatchers, earrings, beaded bracelets and more. Discover unique accessories and authentic creations that reflect rich cultural traditions. 

Where to eat    

From the nationally celebrated Feast Café Bistro, by local celebrity chef Christa Bruneau-Guenther –– a member of the Peguis First Nation, to Manoomin by Cree Red Seal chef Jennifer Ballantyne, to the Métis-inspired menus of Bistro on Notre Dame and Promenade Brasserie, Winnipeg has numerous excellent Indigenous-owned and operated restaurants. Find a full guide here on Peg City Grub.   

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