Manito Ahbee - A Festival for All Nations By Doreen Pendgracs
(Excerpt from the Manitoba Book of Everything, First People chapter. - Published Oct/08 by MacIntyre Purcell Publishing Inc.)


Manitoba has an extremely rich, diverse and thriving aboriginal culture - which results in a tremendous assortment of wonderful First Nations and Metis artists, musicians, authors and other cultural contributors. So it was only natural to come up with a venue that would bring it all together.

Thus in 2006 was born, the Manito Ahbee Festival, held in Winnipeg each fall at the MTS Centre. Although billed as a "Festival for All Nations," Manito Ahbee is primarily a 10-day aboriginal peoplesí event combining music, visual art, theatre, dance, an International Pow Wow competition, an aboriginal youth summit, marketplace and trade show. Everyone is welcome and sure to enjoy the activities honouring the heritage of all aboriginal peoples of Manitoba.

Winnipeg has hosted the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards since their inception in 2006. The awards (shaped in the form of a feather) are handed out at Manito Ahbee and honour the best in aboriginal music from across Canada and the U.S

The best place to see aboriginal art is also at Manito Ahbee. The festival incorporated a visual arts component into its schedule in 2007, which was a huge success, showcasing the work of a dozen well-known aboriginal artists whose work was displayed for all to see and enjoy.

So if you're looking to learn more about aboriginal culture, are looking for fine aboriginal art to buy or just want to be entertained with some fine dance and music, check it out late October through early November. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.