Field Workshops on Monday, June 11 - 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Tour A: French and Métis culture along the Red River (bilingual)
The fur trade industry brought many French-Canadian explorers and voyageurs to the Red River region, followed by many francophone immigrants. Many francophone towns and villages were soon developed along the banks of rivers in southern Manitoba.
Nowhere is the francophone population and history more evident than in Old Saint-Boniface, Winnipeg’s French Quarter, on the east side of the Red River across from Downtown Winnipeg. Saint-Boniface played a key role in the development of the Red River Colony, now known as Winnipeg, and of the province of Manitoba. Today, its history is still visible in the many monuments and historic buildings and sites in the area. But the richness of this region lies in the vibrant culture and “joie de vivre” of the community.
Discover historical Saint Boniface through the Theatre in the Cemetery, the Cathedral and the St. Boniface Museum.
Tour A: La culture française des Métis le long de la rivière Rouge
La traite de fourrures a apporté beaucoup d’explorateurs et voyageurs canadiens-français dans la region de la rivière Rouge. Tout au long des rivières du sud de la province se trouve des villages francophones nées de l’époque de la traite et des vagues d’immigration qui ont suivies.
Saint-Boniface peut se vanter de posséder le passé le plus riche et le plus long de toutes les communautés de Winnipeg. Saint-Boniface a joué un rôle central tant dans le développement de la colonie de la rivière Rouge (maintenant Winnipeg) que dans la fondation de la province du Manitoba. Aujourd’hui, les signes de ce passé illustre sont encore visibles grâce aux multiples monuments historiques importants que l’on y retrouve. Mais c’est la culture toujours vibrante et la joie de vivre des residents qui font la richesse de ce quartier.
Découvrez l’histoire de Saint-Boniface par son Théâtre dans le cimetière, la Cathédrale et le Musée de Saint-Boniface
Tour B: The Tallgrass Prairie and River Bottom Forests
From farmscapes and wilderness, to wetlands and deserts, as one of the world’s largest nations, Canada has a tremendous variety of landscapes and seascapes. As the geographic centre of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba reflects much of this ecological diversity. Although Winnipeg is in the Tall Grass Prairie portion of the Prairies ecozone, an endangered habitat type dominated by prairie grasses and herbaceous plants, several forest types such as aspen-parkland forest and river bottom forest are also common throughout the city. The city’s landscapes have been shaped by climate and topography, and the rivers which run through it have played a significant role in influencing what plants and animals call Winnipeg home, and what habitat types they form. Join us for an afternoon exploration of two significant habitat types found within this city - a 30 acre tall-grass prairie preserve at the Living Prairie Museum and a beautiful river bottom forest environment within Beaudry Park.
Tour C: Walk & Water Tour
This tour offers you the opportunity to take in several of Winnipeg’s unique neighborhoods located along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. This walking tour also uses the Splash Dash Water Bus system to get from one neighborhood to another.
Start off at the Fort Garry Hotel. Your water taxi ride will take you to the Manitoba Legislative Building. Tour the grounds and take a quick peek inside. Return to the water taxi and ride the Assiniboine and Red Rivers towards the Taché dock. There, learn about Winnipeg’s francophone community and how « the other side of the river » has become a sought-after tourist destination. Visit the ruins of the St. Boniface Cathedral.
Your final dock ride takes you to the Exchange District National Historic Site. Discover today's opportunities amid the atmosphere of yesterday in Winnipeg's thriving Exchange District. Located just north of Canada's celebrated corner Portage and Main, the area has been preserved and nurtured as one of North America's most colourful and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods.
Your final stop is at the Forks Market, Winnipeg’s premiere tourism attractions and a meeting place for over 6,000 years. Enjoy some free time at the Forks and stroll back on your own to the Fort Garry hotel, located just across the street.
Tour D: Riverfront Development
Presentation on the development of The Forks and Waterfront Drive. Technical presentation at the Travel Manitoba Amphitheatre, to include the history of The Forks, glaciation to present, discussion of the origins of the development concept for The Forks and downtown waterfront and the implementation process that started in 1980 River Road, 1988 Forks Park, etc.
Next, enjoy a tour aboard the Splash Dash Boat, with commentary up the Assiniboine River then down the Red to Point Douglas and back to the Provencher docks.
Tour E: Waterways and Waterfowl - Marshes and Streams
Wetlands are one of the province's most precious resources. Some wetlands contain water year-round; others contain water only after the snow melts in the spring. Marshes, bogs, fens, swamps, sloughs, and prairie potholes are all considered wetlands. Wetlands are valuable because of the diverse functions they perform, including providing habitats for aquatic plants, insects and many animal species, flood control, water quality, and offer a superb area for birdwatching.
Southern Manitoba has lost approximately 70% of its wetlands since the early 1900s. Fortunately, recent conservation efforts and increasing awareness of the value of wetlands has led to the maintenance and enhancement of many wetlands in Manitoba. Oak Hammock Marsh and Interpretive Centre is a perfect example, comprising 36-square kilometers of prairie marsh, aspen-oak bluff, waterfowl lure crops, artesian springs, 30 kilometers of trails, and some of Manitoba's last remaining patches of tall-grass prairie - an endangered habitat.
Your workshop includes presentations on the importance of wetlands and what Manitoba is doing to preserve them, and a guided tour of the Oak Hammock Marsh Facility.
Tour F: Tour of Floodway and Diked Communities
Winnipeg is a prairie city gaining its origin mainly because of water travel, the city is known to some as the River City. Many floods have ravaged the area over the years, leading to the construction of the original floodway following the 1950 Manitoba flood - one of the largest in the province's history. The floodway was completed in 1968 at a total cost of $63 million. It has saved Manitoba more than $8 billion in flood damage. The floodway has been operated since then over 20 times.
Start with a visit to the Red River Floodway where you will learn about the control structures and history of the gates. Beautiful St-Agathe, a french speaking agricultural community south of Winnipeg which has endured the effects of flooding, has opened the Red River Valley Floods Interpretive Centre. Here, a guide will illustrate and explain the effects of flooding on the Manitoba Red River Flood Plain, recounting personal family experiences and demonstrating the strength and resilience of communities who regularly deal with floods. You will also get to see the town now and observe how they have rebuilt it to fight the flood.
On your return trip, you will pass some of the areas and homes which were flooded in 1997 and see how they have been rebuilt.
Field Workshops on Tuesday, June 12 - 1:30 to 5 pm
Tour G: Walk & Water Tour
This tour offers you the opportunity to take in several of Winnipeg’s unique neighborhoods located along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. This walking tour also uses the Splash Dash Water Bus system to get from one neighborhood to another.
Start off at the Fort Garry Hotel. Your water taxi ride will take you to the Manitoba Legislative Building. Tour the grounds and take a quick peek inside. Return to the water taxi and ride the Assiniboine and Red Rivers towards the Taché dock. There, learn about Winnipeg’s francophone community and how « the other side of the river » has become a sought-after tourist destination. Visit the ruins of the St. Boniface Cathedral.
Your final dock ride takes you to the Exchange District National Historic Site. Discover today's opportunities amid the atmosphere of yesterday in Winnipeg's thriving Exchange District. Located just north of Canada's celebrated corner Portage and Main, the area has been preserved and nurtured as one of North America's most colourful and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods.
Your final stop is at the Forks Market, Winnipeg’s premiere tourism attractions and a meeting place for over 6,000 years. Enjoy some free time at the Forks and stroll back on your own to the Fort Garry hotel, located just across the street.
Tour H: History Along the Red River
The Red River north of Winnipeg was the beaten path for generations of Cree fishers and Scots settlers. Today's byway remains rich with historic resonance.
River Road Heritage Parkway winds along the west bank of the Red River north of Winnipeg, the oldest public right-of-way west of Ontario. But its origins go back much further, for people traveling from the upper Red and Assiniboine Rivers to Lake Winnipeg used this route for millennia.
This field workshop takes you to the focal points of a trip down River Road today — St. Andrew's Church and Rectory, Captain Kennedy House, and the St. Andrews Lock and Dam, all national or provincial historic sites which frame the reasons that so many came this way for so long: the rapids of the Red River.
Also included is a visit to Seven Oaks House, one of the oldest surviving residences in Manitoba and one of a handful of log buildings remaining, which give a picture of life at Red River during the nineteenth century.
Tour I: How the Red River Shaped the Fur Trade
Discover the history of the fur trade era and relive the era. Enjoy The Company of Adventurers tour of the HBC Gallery at the Manitoba Museum to gain an appreciation of how the large themes of fur trade history were experienced by the people involved in the trade. An artifact study demonstrates how ideas, technologies and goods were exchanged between Aboriginal People and the European traders.
Then, become a voyageur yourself as you paddle across the Red River in large Voyageur canoes (weather and water levels permitting) to historic Fort Gibraltar. Situated on the banks of the Red River, just minutes from downtown, this site will take you back 200 years to the period of the voyageurs and the fur trade in the Northwest. Inside the fort walls, you’ll find the blacksmith shop, the fur cabin, and the general store.
Transportation by motorcoach back to the hotel.
Tour J : Seine River Paddle / Restoring Urban Streams
The Seine River's source is in the sandy soils of Sandilands Provincial Forest Southeast of Steinbach. As the tiny river meanders across the prairie landscape the watershed drains into tributaries and into the Seine. Unfortunately the upper Seine River has suffered from the impacts of the urban development along its banks. As a response to the intolerably poor condition of this historic and (sometimes) navigable river, local residents organized and took it upon themselves to protect and enhance the river and its banks. In September 1990 the stewards of this enchanting little river had formed a grassroots community group and called themselves 'Save Our Seine Resident's Committee' (SOS).
Today, the Seine River offers a sensory-awakening retreat without the long drive out of town. The Seine River twists and winds its way through 26 km of Winnipeg under the shelter of a thick canopy of trees. Trade the grinding noise of the city life for the soothing sound of paddles dipping gently into the water and birds singing as you paddle down the Seine with a qualified guide.
Keep your camera ready, you'll be surprised at the diverse wildlife and historical significance of the Seine River.
Tour K: Rolling Down the River - Water transportation
Centuries ago, Native North Americans relied on the south-north flow of the Red River as a primary transportation route for trade. This route has been used by aboriginals, voyageurs, explorers, yorkboat men, loggers, ferry and steamboat operators and tourists.
Modern-day motorcoach transportation will take you on this workshop where you will discover transportation along the Red River, from the York Boat to present-day marine life on Lake Winnipeg and the Red River. Visit the St. Andrews Lock and Dam National Historic Site. This curtain bridge-dam is the only one of its type built in North America, the largest ever constructed and possibly the last surviving example in the world.
