Esplanade Riel Bridge and the Human Rights Museum seen from the banks of the Red River.

We often take for granted the beauty of our home town. When we visit other places as tourists, we will capture our memories in countless photographs of the beauty and uniqueness each destination offers. To walk in your own community as a tourist, allows you to see and appreciate the gifts we often take for granted.

A fallen tree rests on the banks of the Red.

My home town of Winnipeg derives its name from the Cree word of “win” for muddy and “nippee” for water. Winnipeg is a culturally diverse city with about 100 languages and nationalities represented. Winnipeg has a flourishing arts scene, as well as a vibrant meeting place where the Assiniboine and Red River come together at ‘The Forks’. ‘The Forks’ is a public place where the diversity of Winnipeg can be celebrated through outdoor concerts, festivals, green space, patios and the ‘Human Rights Museum’ opening on September 21st.

Enjoy my hometown seen through my eyes as a tourist.

Human Rights Museum opening September 21st

The Winnipeg Skyline from Tache Promenade

Winnipeg’s history is celebrated as you walk east from the downtown along the  ‘Riel Esplanade Pedestrian Bridge’ casually strolling along the Tache Promenade which celebrates the richness of Winnipeg’s francophone heritage.

St. Boniface Cathedral-Basilica on the Eastern Banks of the Red River facing ‘The Forks’ and the “Human Rights Museum

St. Boniface Museum

In the shadows of the St. Boniface Cathedral-Basilica you will find the burial site of metis leader Louis Riel widely regarded as the ‘Father of Manitoba’.

Memorial to fallen World War 1 soldiers

Remembering our History

Continuing your stroll along Tache Promenade will lead you to Queen Elizabeth Way which will once again take you across the Red River.

Looking north along Queen Elizabeth Way

Ladybugs enjoy a sunny September morning

Wild Flower line the bridge as you look south to the entrance of the Bridge and sculpture by Catherine Widgery.

Turning right off of Queen Elizabeth Way you will begin your journey into ‘The Forks’ the meeting place of the past and the present. ‘The Forks’ represents what our city and people can be if we remember this is a place to celebrate our diversity, celebrate our cultures, celebrate everything that brings us together as one.

‘The Forks’ where the rivers and people come together.

Oodena Celebration Circle pays homage to the 6,000 years of Aboriginal peoples in the area. Oodena, Cree for “centre of the city”, features ethereal sculptures, a sundial, interpretive signage, a naked eye observatory and a ceremonial fire pit, making it a desirable venue for Aboriginal and cultural celebrations or a place to simply sit and marvel at its beauty.

Remembering too much violence

Time to Remember, Reflect and find a new way

A time to heal

A beautiful September day enjoying a walking tour of some of Winnipeg’s most beautiful locations and letting one’s mind embrace the beauty of art, architecture, history and nature as they all come together to celebrate what we can accomplish when ‘We come Together’.

Cyclists enjoying a sunny September Day

Reflections at the ‘Meeting Place’

A place to play for our children

The Red River looking east to St. Boniface

This is my city. This is the place where like the two rivers, we come together and we call this home.

All pictures were taken by James W Hoddinott and my Sony A57