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Manitoba
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums

The ancestral home of indigenous peoples like the Cree and the Assiniboin, Manitoba now has the second-largest First Nations population in Canada. Five of these indigenous groups are known to have been active at Pimachiowin Aki, the province’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the annual Manito Ahbee is Canada’s largest indigenous powwow. European explorers and hunters moved into the area in the 17th century, while growing Canadian expansionism resulted in Manitoba becoming a province of the country in 1870. The provincial capital, Winnipeg, grew rapidly in the 19th century, although Manitoba still has many areas of natural beauty, including in its two national parks.

Archaeology & History Sites in Manitoba

Arborg and District Multicultural Heritage Village

Standing on the southern bank of the Icelandic River, the Arborg and District Multicultural Heritage Village showcases rural life in the Interlake region as it existed prior to 1930. A particular focus is placed on the different cultural groups that inhabited the region, reflected in the various buildings assembled together at this open-air museum. Many of the structures are furnished with authentic antique material to give them an early 20th century appearance. Guided tours of the village, as part of which visitors can enter the buildings, are available in the summer months.

Bannock Point Petroforms

Located within the Whiteshell Provincial Park, the Bannock Point Petroforms are a series of designs laid out in stones on the rock floor. They take the form of both geometric designs and a series of animal shapes, among them snakes, turtles, and a thunderbird. There is still much about these monuments that archaeologists do not understand, although it is believed that they are several centuries old and may have been used in healing ceremonies by local indigenous communities. In the Anishinaabemowin language, the site is called Manidoo-Abi: “Where the Spirit Sits.”

Museums & Art Galleries in Manitoba

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Opened to the public in 2014, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights focuses its attentions on various genocides and other human-inflicted examples of mass suffering across the world. Topics covered include the Nazi Holocaust and the treatment of Canada’s indigenous communities. Largely financed by the wealthy philanthropist Israel Asper, it occupies a state of the art, purpose-built structure with a prominent tower that offers impressive views across the city of Winnipeg. The museum also features a range of special exhibitions and events throughout the year.

Manitoba Museum

Previously known as the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature, the Manitoba Museum occupies a purpose-built 1960s structure in Winnipeg. The museum has a rich archaeological collection of over 2.5 million objects, primarily from within the province itself. Stretching deep into prehistory, these artefacts help us to learn more about both the natural history and the human heritage of this region. The museum also has exhibits devoted to a science and boasts a functioning planetarium. A range of temporary exhibitions supplement the main display collection.