Explore Manitoba's natural world with new flora guide from Museum curator

The newly released Manitoba Flora will be the first of a two-volume series. Volume One contains a brief history of why plants have the names they do and an illustrated guide to plant terminology for beginner botanists.  Descriptions and identification keys to all the spore-producing plants, cone-producing plants, and flower-producing monocots are included. A special foreword written by Indigenous Elder Shirli Ewanchuk (Black Thunderbird/Mukaday Animikii) provides readers with an Indigenous perspective of the plant world.

The Manitoba Flora project began over two decades ago when Dr. Robson began reviewing and updating the plants in the Museum’s 50,000+ herbarium to the taxonomy used in the Flora of North America (1993+) publication.  During this work, Robson not only discovered many mis-identified specimens, but also that certain species were missing from the Flora of Manitoba. This prompted Robson to begin writing a new flora that contained all of the species in the province.

“It is the Museum’s hope that this new publication will make it easier for students, professional botanists, landowners, ranchers, foresters, gardeners and native plant enthusiasts to identify the diverse vascular plants of the province,” said Robson.

Paperback editions of Manitoba Flora: A Guide to the Vascular Plants of Manitoba: Volume 1, Spore-producing Plants, Conifers and Monocots can be pre-ordered online or in person through the Manitoba Museum Shop for just $34.99.  E-books and hard copy print-on-demand books can be purchased from FriesenPress. Royalties from the book will be used toward publishing Manitoba Flora: Vol. 2, Dicots, which is currently in progress.

An official book launch event and signing will be held in late November at the Manitoba Museum; keep an eye on the Manitoba Museum website for details as they emerge.

This project was funded through grants from the The Manitoba Museum Legacy Fund, Manitoba Government, the Canadian Botanical Association / L’Association Botanique du Canada Special Project Fund, Nature Manitoba Native Habitat Grant Program, and Helios Hernandez.

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To arrange interviews with Dr. Robson, please contact:

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

Manitoba Museum honours National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with complimentary admission September 28 to 30

(Treaty One Territory – Winnipeg, MB: September 23, 2025) To honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, the Manitoba Museum will once again provide complimentary admission from Sunday, September 28 to Tuesday, September 30.

Orange Shirt Days @ the Manitoba Museum offers visitors special, all-day programming focused on the history and the impacts of Indian Residential Schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action.

“Truth requires facing difficult realities and moments of discomfort,” says Dorota Blumczyńska, CEO of the Manitoba Museum. “As visitors move through the Museum, they will follow a path that opens hearts and minds to a history that challenges their understanding of Indian Residential Schools, amplifies the stories of survivors, and honours the children who never came home.”

Orange Shirt Days also provides meaningful and engaging opportunities designed to encourage reflection, community-building, and healing: visitors can watch powwow demonstrations by Beautiful Cloud Dance Company; find inspiration and community at a drop-in beading circle; take part in a collaborative art activity; and learn about the history and legacy of the Indian Residential School system and the path to healing and reconciliation in presentations held by the National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation.

“As a publicly trusted educational institution, we have a responsibility to share the history of the Indian Residential School system and its impacts. Each year, we welcome between nine and ten thousand visitors who are not only learning and reflecting, but are also healing, “says Tashina Houle-Gaywish, Head of Indigenous Programming & Engagement. “Celebrating our beauty and excellence through powwow demonstrations is also vital – to show that, despite all of the harm and pain, we continue to persevere.”

We welcome all members of the community to join us in honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with free admission from 10am to 4pm, Sunday, September 28 to Tuesday, September 30.

“We ask Manitobans to join us—learning, reflecting, and committing to meaningful change and a better future. This journey is made possible in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and with the support of the Province of Manitoba,” says Dorota Blumczyńska.

The Museum thanks our program partners The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Treaty Relations Commission, Parks Canada, the Mackay Residential School Gathering Inc., and all the community members who supported Orange Shirt Days @ the Manitoba Museum.

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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

(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

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

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