Manitoba's provincial capital Winnipeg, located in the heart of Canada, is marking 150 years as a city during 2024.

Our shared stories is the theme for Winnipeg 150.

Winnipeg derives its name from the Cree word of win for muddy and nippee for water.

The land around the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, now known as The Forks, has been a sacred meeting place for First Nations for commerce and celebration for 6,000 years prior to the arrival of Europeans.



Winnipeg became the heart of the country's fur trade and instrumental in developing Canada's gateway to the west.

A group of Scottish crofters, the Selkirk Settlers, arrived along the Red River and formed a trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company in 1870, which became a city in 1874.

Winnipeg became a financial centre in Western Canada at the turn of the 20th century.

The city today is a culturally diverse city with more than 100 languages and nationalities represented.

It offers winter experiences, a flourishing arts scene, festivals and historic neighbourhoods, along with green spaces and access to outdoor activities.

There are more than 1,100 restaurants along with attractions, museums, theatres, sports venues and night clubs.

Winnipeg is home to Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Festivals include Festival du Voyageur, Folklorama and the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

Newer attractions include Qaumajuq, the world's largest collection of contemporary Inuit Art and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Canada's first national museum.

The 20-block Exchange District, a National Historic Site, is known for its historic collection of warehouse buildings, financial institutions, and early terracotta-clad skyscrapers.

The City of Winnipeg is staging a full range of events and celebrations for Winnipeg 150.


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