Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indigenous people are in Manitoba?
According to the 2021 census, there were 237,190 Indigenous people in Manitoba, which is around 18% of the province’s population. Most reported a single Indigenous identity—either First Nations, Métis or Inuit. First Nations comprised more than half, 40% were Métis and 0.3% Inuit.
Does Manitoba have the largest Indigenous population in Canada?
No, however, Winnipeg has the largest urban Indigenous population in Canada, while Manitoba has the highest percentage of Indigenous residents among the provinces, according to the 2021 census.
Did Louis Riel found Manitoba?
Louis Riel is widely regarded as the Father of Manitoba. This 19th-century Métis leader formed a provisional government and presented what became the Manitoba Act 1870 at just 25 years old. In 2024, Riel was officially recognized as Manitoba’s first premier.
How long have Indigenous people been in Manitoba?
There are 63 First Nations in Manitoba. Their history goes back thousands of years, with some Indigenous traditions stating that Indigenous Peoples have existed on these lands since time immemorial. The oldest known artifact from Manitoba, a Clovis spear head, dates back approximately 12,000 years.
Does the name Manitoba come from an Indigenous word?
Yes. While the exact etymology of the word is disputed, with its origins being traced to Cree, Anishinaabemowin and Nakota words, Manitoba means a Great Spirit. Traditional stories describe “Manitoba” as the sound of waves crashing into the limestone shore of Lake Manitoba near The Narrows as the Great Spirit beating a huge drum.
What Indigenous experiences can I find in Manitoba?
Learn about Indigenous history at the Manitoba Museum, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, The Forks National Historic Site and more. View the largest publicly displayed collection of Inuit art at the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. See contemporary aboriginal art at the Urban Shaman centre and the Canadian Plains Gallery. Take a guided or self-guided tour focusing on the history of First Nations at the Agowiidiwinan Centre at The Forks, walk the meeting place of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers and get deeper understanding of the land and its stories with Turtle Tours and visit the key historic spots of the founder of Manitoba Louis Riel.
For more immersive experiences, try beading and soapstone carving, attend a powwow, take a tour at the sacred site Bannock Point Petroforms in the Whiteshell or travel up north to Churchill for an Indigenous-led dogsledding adventure.
And once you’ve worked up an appetite, take your pick of Indigenous culinary stops: Indigenous fusion Shelly’s Bistro, charcuterie cafe Sharecuterie, comfort food spot Bistro on Notre Dame or Promenade Brasserie, majority Indigenous-owned brewery La Brasserie Nonsuch Brewing Co or Feast Cafe Bistro which serves modern dishes rooted in traditional First Nation foods.
Is Indigenous tourism ethical?
Indigenous-led tourism experiences are widely considered ethical as they promote reconciliation through education and connection while also supporting the economic growth of businesses owned and operated by Indigenous peoples.
