Where’s the hoopla? Winnipeg turned 150 but pomp and pageantry is non-existent

Thick crowds lined the sidewalks multiple rows deep — many scrambling to higher vantage points on rooftops — as a nearly six-kilometre-long parade wound its way along Main Street and Portage Avenue in 1949 to mark the 75th anniversary of Winnipeg’s incorporation.

It was a spectacle of floats, marching bands and acrobats that drew a crowd of 125,000, which was more than a third of the city’s entire population of just over 348,000.

The same type of pageantry took place in 1924 for the city’s 50th anniversary, and would again in 1974 for the 100th, with the days being declared civic holidays.

Now, in the city’s 150th year, the streets are filled only by commuters. There are no processions, no banners on street posts declaring the occasion.

“Really underwhelming would be the word I would use,” said Gordon Goldsborough, head researcher of the Manitoba Historical Society.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The muted fete is indicative of an overall shift in consciousness around colonization, he said.

“I think there’s simply a different perception of the value in marking these sorts of anniversaries. In the past it was seen as a sign of progress, in terms of positivity.”

But we now have a more nuanced view of history and the shameful events underlying European settlement, he said.

It “involved the subjugation of Indigenous people, the theft of their land, and they were confined to reservations and given paltry annuity payments from treaties and many of the [government] obligations under the treaties were never fulfilled,” Goldsborough said.

“I think there’s a feeling that celebrating an event that, at least in some people’s minds, wasn’t something celebratory, isn’t the right way to do it.”

But that also doesn’t mean ignoring what happened. You can still observe milestone anniversaries and historical events, but with the right terms, Goldsborough said.

“I don’t think I would ever want to call it a celebration because that’s implying that things are favourable. I think the better word is commemoration,” he said.

“If there are not entirely good things that have occurred, at least it’s worthwhile remembering that … and pledge that we will work hard to ensure they don’t happen again. We can’t go back and change the past, but we can at least atone for it.”

The City of Winnipeg was incorporated in 1873 but it wasn’t until January 1874 that the first civic election and council meeting was held, which is why that is the acknowledged anniversary year.

In July 1886, the first CPR train arrived in the city, igniting the grain industry and drawing thousands of speculators and new residents. Winnipeg by 1911 was the third-largest in Canada, but the growth came at a heavy cost as First Nations and Métis people were displaced.

That European influence flavoured things for generations to come.

The tradition of holding parades for special events was one of the things imported by settlers, and the floats often paid tribute to their motherlands.

They also trumpeted the role of industry and commerce in the city’s growth from its hinterland days.

The 1924 parade was led by a First Nations man on horseback, but no name was given in any news stories. He was only referred to as “an old Indian chieftain” and was given a Union Jack flag to carry.

The 1949 parade also leaned heavily on the British Empire theme but also introduced Mounties, military men and celebrities like Hollywood actress Margaret Alexis Smith and Olympic figure-skating champ Barbara Ann Scott.

In 1974, Canada Post issued a stamp featuring Portage and Main and the Royal Canadian Mint issued a souvenir dollar coin. The city created a special logo that was featured on all sorts of memorabilia, and published a glossy souvenir book.

A hockey game at the Winnipeg Arena pitted the City Fathers, a team of city councillors captained by Mayor Stephen Juba, against the Golden Boys, a team of MLAs. Some 4,000 watched the City Fathers take a 4-1 victory and claim the Legislator’s Cup.

For 2024, Winnipeg is marking its birthday in several smaller ways, said spokesperson Felicia Wiltshire.

City representatives have set up at various neighbourhood festivals to hand out Winnipeg 150 items, the anniversary has also been spotlighted at Bombers, Goldeyes and Sea Bears games, a showcase of historical images is being toured around the city and councillors are hosting special events in their wards.

A number of organizations, like Folklorama and the folk festival, were given grants to honour Winnipeg 150 at their events, and the mayor’s ball in October will raise money for performing arts organizations.

“So that’s really where our focus has been, in these sort of smaller community celebrations as opposed to doing that one big blowout event,” Wiltshire said. “Our intention is to celebrate for a whole year.”

Special medals will be presented to 150 people who’ve made big contributions to the city, with a tree planted in their name in a park.

And this time around, the city has made its Indigenous roots a key component.

The logo for Winnipeg 150 was designed by Cree artist Jordan Stranger and features multiple symbols, including footprints representing a path toward reconciliation. It is all enclosed by the outline of a turtle shell to represent Turtle Island.

“We wanted to make sure that we’re appropriately recognizing the history of Winnipeg,” said Wiltshire.

As for the reason to move away from a parade, that has more to do with responsible use of taxpayers dollars, she said, adding that directing the money to local organizations also helps create a lasting legacy.

David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Métis Federation, worries about the city burying its jubilee in small events rather than giving it the platform it deserves.

“A milestone like 150 years is something to rally around, and it can be done in a way that is respectful of our history, and the history of this city that began with our [Métis] Nation. Erasing history serves no one, but honouring that history ensures that the truth is never lost or forgotten,” he said in an emailed statement.

“Winnipeg is the heart of the Red River Métis homeland and has its foundations in the Red River Settlement, the birthplace of our Nation. We believe that this city and this province are worth celebrating.”