Rebecca Watson, Author at Manitoba Museum

Posted on: Wednesday September 17, 2025

(Treaty One Territory – Winnipeg, MB: September 17, 2025) – The Planetarium dome will rock you this fall as the Manitoba Museum launches special showings of the Queen: Heaven planetarium show.

Queen’s incredible aura, the creativity of their lyrics, and the tremendous power of their concerts now can be seen on the planetarium dome in this thrilling music show. Experience a tribute to these exceptional artists with original footage, images, and remastered concert clips.

“After the extremely popular – and often sold out – run of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, we wanted to bring Winnipeggers more musical experiences in the Planetarium,” says Planetarium Astronomer Scott Young. “Queen is one of the most popular bands in history, never fading away despite not having a new album in thirty years. This show really brings the band’s music to life. Every song is a banger.”

You will hear the greatest hits and anthems of their band history, such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “I Want to Break Free,” “One Night Standing,” “The Show Must Go On,” “We Are the Champions,” and many more.

“This show is another level above the Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon show the planetarium ran for that classic album’s 50th anniversary,” says Young. “The show isn’t just video effects and space images, it features a lot of classic concert footage and rarely-seen images of the band in performance. I never got to see Queen live in person, but this feels like the next best thing.”

For music lovers looking for a more hands-on concert experience, come early and you’ll get the chance to explore the universe with an adult twist. Show attendees can enjoy beverages at a pop-up bar prior to showtime in the Museum’s Science Gallery and relive the explorations of their youth with hands-on science fun.

Queen: Heaven plays at the Manitoba Museum Planetarium for select showings in October & November. Doors will open one hour prior to the show to give attendees a chance to enjoy a beverage and explore the Museum’s Science Gallery.

Visit ManitobaMuseum.ca/Queen for show times and information.

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Brandi Hayberg
Manager of Marketing & Communications
BHayberg@ManitobaMuseum.ca
204-988-0614

Posted on: Wednesday September 10, 2025

Treaty No. 4 Territory – Piapot First Nation, Saskatchewan – Sept. 10, 2025 – The Manitoba Museum recently completed its largest repatriation to date, with the return of 19 belongings to Piapot First Nation in Saskatchewan, which coincided with the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 4.

The 19 belongings include ceremonial pipes, a drum, an eagle fan, medicine pouches, as well as gifts that Chief Piapot gave as thanks to the minister who conducted his daughter’s marriage ceremony. These came into the Museum’s care through three separate donors, two of whom donated to previous collections/museums that later became part of the Manitoba Museum.

“The return of Chief Piapot’s belongings is very important. The different sacred belongings that he has – the pipes, the leggings, the shirts – all of that brings honour back to our people. When our people see the belongings, they’re proud, they’re honoured, they’re emotional. It’s a great thing. We want to give thanks to the Manitoba Museum for working closely with us, KNT IRS Consulting (Kā-natonahkik-tāpwēwin) in repatriating all of Chief Piapot’s belongings to our nation. It’s going to carry our nation for another hundreds and hundreds of years to come and we give thanks to all who have supported us, here today on the 150th commemoration.” – Chief Mark Fox of the Piapot First Nation

The Manitoba Museum recognizes repatriation as an important institutional responsibility. Repatriation is more than returning objects to communities. It is in support of revitalizing Indigenous self-identity, spirituality and ceremony, languages, art, sovereignty, laws and governance.

“It was such an honour to work with Barb Lavallee from Piapot First Nation on this repatriation, ensuring that we followed the guidance and protocols from the Elders and spiritual leaders and aligned them with the Museum’s policies and procedures. I view repatriation as a very collaborative process, and I’m so grateful for the dedication from Barb and Nadine to finalize this significant repatriation.” – Dr. Amelia Fay, Curator of Anthropology and the HBC Collection at Manitoba Museum

The Manitoba Museum’s repatriation policy was first put in place in 2007. This policy has been continually updated and revised, most recently considering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and through discussions with the Indigenous Advisory Circle to the Museum.

“We’re honoured and humbled to have been witness to today’s important commemoration with the Piapot First Nation. We hope that the repatriation of Chief Piapot’s belongings to his community will bring present and future generations renewed strength and hope.” – Dorota Blumczyńska, CEO of Manitoba Museum

We welcome all requests for repatriation and approach this work as part of a community-led practice, where we integrate community values and needs throughout the process.

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To honour this important repatriation and to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 4, representatives from the Manitoba Museum, including CEO Dorota Blumczyńska, Curator of Anthropology and the HBC Collection Amelia Fay, and Museum Advisor for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Tabitha Harper, travelled to Piapot First Nation on September 9 to participate in the community’s celebration.

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For further information, please contact:

Brandi Hayberg
Manager of Marketing & Communications
Manitoba Museum
BHayberg@ManitobaMuseum.ca | 204-988-0614

The Manitoba Museum, a not-for-profit institution, is Manitoba’s largest heritage centre and number one paid tourist attraction with over 300,000 on-site visitors annually, including 80,000 students. We uniquely combine human and natural history themes, multidimensional interpretation, science, and astronomy education with quality school and community programs, special events and exhibits. We are pleased to announce a PERMANENT PART-TIME bilingual Science Communicator opportunity in our Learning & Engagement Division beginning in September 2025.

Reporting to the Manager of School and Public Programs, the Science Communicator delivers interpretive programs on themes related to the Science Gallery and Planetarium and assists in other public program events for the general public and organized groups. The incumbent must exercise initiative and independent judgment in working with the Museum’s various audiences while maintaining an energetic and lively approach. They must be able to work with minimal supervision and be available for weekend and evening work.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated knowledge of the general sciences and scientific principles, skills in public speaking and theatrical program delivery, as well as experience working with the public and children. Knowledge of astronomy is an asset. Fluency in both official languages (French/English) is required for this position. The detailed job description is below.

Applications will be accepted until September 10, 2025, or until the position is filled. Interested applicants may forward a résumé and cover letter to:

Manager of Volunteer & Employee Relations
The Manitoba Museum
190 Rupert Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3B 0N2
Fax: (204) 942-3679
Email: HR@ManitobaMuseum.ca

The Manitoba Museum is committed to inclusion and employment equity and welcomes diversity in the workplace. The Manitoba Museum recognizes the importance of building a workforce reflective of the visitors it serves. Therefore, the Manitoba Museum supports equitable employment practices and promotes representation of designated groups (women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, visible minorities).

Employment Equity is a factor in selection for this position. Consideration will be given to Indigenous people, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities. All applicants are encouraged to self-identify if they are members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, visible minorities) in their application.

This document is available in other formats and accommodations will be provided throughout the selection process upon request. Contact Human Resources at 204-956-2830 if you have an accommodation request.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those being considered for interviews will be contacted. We are not able to acknowledge receipt of applications submitted via Fax or mail.

Job Description:

Pay Group: 3

General

Typical Duties:

Deliver interpretive programs for the institution’s school and general public audience.
Learn pertinent information on departmental programs, permanent galleries, and temporary exhibits as required.
Perform Planetarium shows in the theatre including setting up technical equipment and all controls during performance of programs.
Assist in training and support of part-time staff and volunteers.
Perform all ongoing functions related to program operation including: setting up furniture, equipment, specimens, artifacts, and other materials; operating A/V equipment; storing program materials.
Handle program materials according to institution safety procedures.
Other duties as reasonably assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Demonstrated skills in public speaking and program delivery.
Ability to communicate effectively including the talent to present programs and demonstrations efficiently and enthusiastically to a wide range of age and interest groups.
Capability to sense the dramatic nature of a presentation and respond to it appropriately during a performance.
Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to interact effectively with staff, volunteers, and the general public.
Knowledge of Physical and/or Astronomy Science.
Ability to perform basic research.
Ability to work in an organized manner, both independently and in a team environment.
Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
Fluency in both official languages is required.

Education, Training and Experience

Grade XII education, and
At least one year of experience working with and presenting to the public, or
Equivalent combination of education and experience.

This is a permanent part-time position commencing as soon as possible in September 2025. Fluency in both official languages is required. The incumbent will report to the Manager of School and Public Programs. The salary range is $19.58 to $24.78 per hour. Availability Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, weekend and occasional evening shifts is essential. Applications will be received until Wednesday, September 10, 2025, or until the position is filled.

Please submit your resume including cover letter to:

Manager of Volunteer & Employee Relations
The Manitoba Museum
190 Rupert Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0N2
HR@ManitobaMuseum.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those being considered for interviews will be contacted. We are not able to acknowledge receipt of applications submitted via Fax or mail.

Posted on: Friday August 8, 2025

By Amelia Fay, Curator of Anthropology and HBC Museum Collections

Summertime is when many folks travel to visit family and friends, or just to have a nice vacation away from their regular routine. If you’re like me, when planning a trip you make time to check out the local museums, but even when you travel far, you might still see some belongings, artifacts, or specimens from your Manitoba Museum. Like many museums, we have a robust loans program where our collection travels across Canada (and even internationally!) for community engagement, research, or to be featured in exhibitions at other museums.

From the collections I curate, Anthropology and HBC, some very significant belongings are currently on display in two exhibitions at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) in Vancouver.

A hat on display in a museum case. The hat has a wide-brim and stacked circles coming up from the centre. Next to it is displayed a ornately carved staff.

Helen Schooner’s (nee Housty) potlatch hat (HBC 57-1) and speaker’s staff (HBC 57-2-A).

Nuxalk community members interact with belongings from the HBC Museum Collection in the Nuxalk Strong exhibition.

A Nuu-chah-nulth thunderbird rattle from the HBC Museum Collection (HBC 995) on display in the In a Different Light exhibition.

In A Different Light: Reflecting on Northwest Coast Art includes two rattles made by Haida and Nuu-chah-nulth artists.

Nuxalk Strong: Dancing Down the Eyelashes of the Sun includes a potlatch hat that was on permanent display in the HBC Gallery and a speaker’s staff that belonged to Helen Housty, a prominent woman from the Heiltsuk Nation who married Staltmc Samson Schooner of the Nuxalk Nation.

I had the honour of attending the opening of the Nuxalk Strong exhibition back in February and it was incredible to witness visitors reconnecting with their belongings from other institutions like ours.

Wherever you’re headed this summer, I hope you make museums part of your trip. If you see any belongings, artifacts, or specimens from the Manitoba Museum, share a picture with us on social media. We love seeing our collections reach new audiences near and far!

Staycation with us! Plan your Summer @ the Manitoba Museum visit today.

Dr. Amelia Fay

Curator of Anthropology & the HBC Museum Collection

Amelia Fay is Curator of Anthropology and the HBC Museum Collection at the Manitoba Museum. She received her BA in Anthropology from the University of Manitoba (2004), an MA in Archaeology…

Meet Dr. Amelia Fay

Museum Stories: DYK Discovery

DYK Discovery

Friday August 8, 2025

Treaty No. One Territory, Winnipeg, MB – July 24, 2025 – The Manitoba Museum is proud to announce the official launch of Anishinaabemowin with Amik, a free online language literacy game designed to support early learners of Anishinaabemowin—an important step in the Museum’s commitment to reconciliation, language preservation and revitalization, and inclusivity.

Anishinaabemowin with Amik is an interactive language learning game focused on animals native to Manitoba and found throughout our Museum galleries. Developed using the H5P platform, this mobile-friendly, online tool blends visual learning, memory challenges, and cultural teachings to enhance early language literacy in Anishinaabemowin. While the game is primarily geared toward children and youth, it’s accessible and engaging for all ages.

“Historically, museums have used colonial languages to interpret Indigenous knowledge and cultures. Anishinaabemowin with Amik marks a shift—one that aligns with the Museum’s efforts to decolonize its practices and implement recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). By using the Manitoba dialect of Anishinaabemowin and developing open-access digital resources, the Museum aims to increase access, promote language preservation, and deepen cultural understanding.” – Tashina Houle-Gaywish, Head of Indigenous Programming & Engagement, Manitoba Museum.

This initiative was made possible through the generous support of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation. The project was developed under the direction of Tashina Houle-Gaywish (née Schlup), Head of Indigenous Programming & Engagement, in collaboration with language speakers, knowledge holders, Elders, and Indigenous artists.

The Museum commissioned Anishinaabe artist Micaela Gilbert (@artworkbymicaela) to create the game’s beautiful illustrations and the Museum’s Indigenous Protocols Advisor, Carol Beaulieu, provided translations and voice recordings.

“Micaela uses her art to reconnect with her culture and share her vision of Anishinaabe identity. Her vibrant and meaningful illustrations are at the heart of the game’s storytelling. We also extend a heartfelt gichi-miigwech, a great big thank you, to Carol Beaulieu for her time and effort in providing translations and recordings in the language. Her voice and vision truly brought this game to life.” – Tashina Houle-Gaywish, Head of Indigenous Programming & Engagement, Manitoba Museum.

Anishinaabemowin with Amik is hosted on the Manitoba Museum’s website and accessible across devices. Teachers will also be able to integrate the game into pre-visit programming, creating a deeper connection between learners and the Indigenous content featured at the Museum—especially for the 90,000 students who visit annually.

About the Name:

In Anishinaabemowin, Amik means beaver—an animal seen as a community builder and symbol of care for the land. Like Amik, this project aims to make a positive and lasting impact.

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Media Requests:

Brandi Hayberg

Manager of Marketing & Communications
Manitoba Museum
BHayberg@ManitobaMuseum.ca | 204.988.0614

Posted on: Friday July 11, 2025

By Mike Jensen, Manitoba Museum Programs and Volunteer Coordinator

Critical Distance is a new augmented reality (AR) experience in the Manitoba Museum’s Science Gallery. As many as eight people at a time can participate, using Meta Quest 3S headsets to take them on a virtual adventure beneath the waves of the Salish Sea off the coast of British Columbia.

Once in the virtual environment, visitors follow an eight-year-old orca named Kiki and a group of Southern Resident orcas known as J-Pod. The immersive environment allows you to interact with sound waves and learn about echolocation, noise pollution, and the daily perils facing this critically endangered pod as they navigate life in the Salish Sea.

Following the AR experience, visitors can pose questions to some of the experts who were a part of designing the exhibit, via postcards or email – and the experts will write back!

All in all, Critical Distance is intended to show that we are all connected to life in our planet’s oceans by making you aware of the impacts of human activities on one of the unique species that exists in them.

But one thing is for sure – it will provide a lasting memory for Museum visitors long after they leave!

Join us for a whale of a time during Summer @ the Manitoba Museum!

All images courtesy of Critical Distance.

Museum Stories: DYK Discovery

DYK Discovery

Friday August 8, 2025

Belongings that Travel

DYK Discovery

Friday July 11, 2025

Swim with Orcas – No Snorkel Required!

DYK Discovery

Friday June 13, 2025

A Time and Place to Learn Who We Are

Three empty paper bags decorated in bright colours with cartoon characters and text reading "Wundertute / Suprise / Cospi", with a small maze game and top between then.

by Sonya Hauri-Thiessen, Collections Technician – Archaeology

When I was younger, I loved opening surprise bags. They came with candy and a toy, and you never knew what surprises lay within. The bags in the photo to the right came from a trip I took to Switzerland in the 1990s (and still have as part of my personal collection because archaeologists save everything!). I still love surprise bags, but now I get to open a different type of surprise bag: one filled with artifacts!

Image: Surprise bags from Switzerland.

Part of my job as a Collections Technician in the Archaeology Department is cataloguing donations that have not been processed yet. Sometimes when a collection arrives it is in a bit of a sorry state after being excavated. One might even choose to use the word filthy when describing some items. They are often still covered in dirt, and it can be hard to tell exactly what each item is. That’s where the fun part starts. After taking an inventory and organizing the donation, I get to wash everything and then discover the artifacts that are revealed! There’s a certain excitement that comes with knowing I am the first person to see an artifact after it has been excavated and cleaned up, especially when I know the item could potentially be thousands of years old. I feel very privileged to be able to work in this field, and I try to remember that as I work with the collections, especially when I am covered in muddy water!

The artifacts in the picture below come from a site in Southwestern Manitoba. When I first laid eyes on the bag it just looked like a bag of dirty rocks, and I didn’t think there would be much inside of note. But lo and behold, after a thorough cleaning, I came away with a beautiful assortment of artifacts, including many different types of stone tools.

Dirty, unrecognizable artifacts.

Sludge left over after the artifacts have been cleaned.

Clean artifacts!

Once the artifacts have been washed and dried, they are identified with the help of the Museum’s comparative collections. These collections have been thoughtfully curated and organized over many years in order to show prime examples of different types of artifacts. After being identified, the artifacts are entered into the Museum’s collections database. Once in the database, a unique catalogue card must be printed for each artifact. Next, the artifacts are labelled using a thin layer of B-72 acrylic resin mixed with acetone and an acid-free paper label that has a unique catalogue number. The artifacts are then put away into our carefully organized storage room. This detailed process of record keeping, as well as maintaining a properly organized collections storage room, is an important part of collections management. It allows us to know the exact location of every artifact at all times and ensures easy retrieval for exhibits or for researchers who want to study our collections.

The archaeology department has over 2.5 million artifacts in its collection. Each artifact has been carefully processed by dedicated Museum employees over the years, all of whom have been lucky enough to work with the wonderful surprises that this fascinating discipline has to offer.

I started working in the Museum world 25 years ago, and I never get tired of the surprises that come in. Come visit the Manitoba Museum – you never know what surprises await you!

Museum Stories: Archaeology

Archaeology

Thursday July 10, 2025

Surprise Bags in the Archaeology Department

Archaeology

Tuesday July 30, 2024

A Criddle Riddle

Sometimes objects come in to the Archaeology lab that aren’t really artifacts, but are still interesting in their own right.

Archaeology

Thursday February 19, 2015

Public Archaeology Press

A round view into blue covered in stars. Overlaid text reads,

Join us for the Premiere of Wilfred Buck’s Star Stories Planetarium Show

Treaty No. 1 Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba (June 17, 2025) – The Manitoba Museum invites members of the media to join us for the premiere of a brand-new Planetarium show, Wilfred Buck’s Star Stories. Wilfred Buck is an Ininew (Cree) writer, educator and one of the foremost experts on Indigenous star knowledge.

PREMIERE DETAILS

Date: Friday, June 20, 2025

Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: Manitoba Museum Planetarium, 190 Rupert Avenue, Winnipeg

Q&A Panel: Wilfred Buck, Director Lisa Jackson, Planetarium Astronomer Scott Young

Please RSVP to: BHayberg@ManitobaMuseum.ca

Designed for presentation in domes and planetariums, this 21-minute XR work, directed by Lisa Jackson and the Macronauts, brings to life four star stories, gathered and told by renowned Ininew astronomer/star knowledge expert and author Wilfred Buck. From the practical to the poetic, these tellings of the Northern night sky provide guidance on navigation, the earth’s cycles, and how to live a good life with future generations in mind.

“Wilfred Buck’s Star Stories aims to preserve the oral tradition of the Ininew, much of which was lost through colonization and the residential school systems. Wilfred Buck has painstaking collected these tellings and presented them to share with audiences. It’s a way for the people of Manitoba to learn the sky as seen and interpreted by the original people of Manitoba.” – Scott Young, Manitoba Museum Planetarium Astronomer.

Wilfred Buck’s Star Stories offers a rarely heard perspective on astronomy and cosmology. Marvel at immersive night sky cinematography, cosmos CGI, and beautiful macro cinematography of meteorites set to a transporting soundtrack in this expansive yet intimate experience that combines the wonder of the universe with the warmth of listening to a wise Elder whose teachings can help us understand that the stars are in fact our oldest relatives.

“This show is design to be as authentic as possible. It is written and narrated by Wilfred himself, and visualized using artwork drawn by his son, Mistawasis Buck. You feel like you are being included in the telling, which isn’t just about the stars, it’s about life. It’s as relevant today as it was generations ago, because the core of the stories are human truths.” – Scott Young, Manitoba Museum Planetarium Astronomer.

Wilfred Buck’s Star Stories will be running daily throughout the summer at the Manitoba Museum Planetarium starting June 28, 2025. Visit ManitobaMuseum.ca/Planetarium for planetarium schedules.

View the Wilfred Buck’s Star Stories Press Kit.

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To RSVP or request interviews, please contact:

Brandi Hayberg

Manager of Marketing & Communications
Manitoba Museum
BHayberg@ManitobaMuseum.ca | 204.988.0614

Posted on: Friday June 13, 2025

by Lucy Lindell, Manitoba Museum Indigenous Scholar in Residence

Opening June 20, the day before National Indigenous Peoples Day, my solo exhibit I Belong Here will be on display in the Manitoba Museum’s Urban Corridor. Through digital art prints, the physical structures of local museums and galleries are transformed into Indigenous teachings that exist to help us live a good life.

This exhibit comes from an in-scholar residence at the Museum with Dr. Amelia Fay, Curator of Anthropology and the HBC Museum Collection. We focused on repatriation and safe museum spaces for Indigenous items.

Previous to the residency, in a cultural leadership course with Stephen Borys, I gained an understanding that historically, museum foundations were built on elitism and were meant to be an escape or distraction to bring temporary moments of freedom.

As a Métis woman learning traditional culture, my museum experiences were quite different; my visits were a time of healing and learning about my relations to Creation. Creation includes all life forms and their energies.

Respectful relations to Creation continue to be harmed through colonial histories where identities were built by taking from others and going to extreme lengths to receive access to land and resources. This impacts identity, understandings of purpose, and how we think day-to-day.

I Belong Here removes colonial invalidations by sharing relatedness and ways of knowing that not everyone has had the privilege of experiencing. It shares teachings that reflect our own beauty back to us and affirms that Indigenous teachings belong in museum spaces and everyday life.

A special thank you to Dr. Amelia Fay, Dan Thomas, and the Manitoba Museum for working with me on this project.

I Belong Here will open on June 20 in the Manitoba Museum’s Urban Corridor and will be on display throughout the summer. Admission to this temporary exhibit is included in an All Attraction Pass. Manitoba Museum Members and Indigenous Peoples can access this exhibit at no charge.

Plan your visit today