Our heritage
February 8, 2021
Students from across Manitoba gathered to explore and share Canada's history at the 14th annual Red River Heritage Fair.
The May 4 event, which took place at the University of Winnipeg, had students presenting their major historical projects to judges.
"We had students travel in for this from as far away as Flin Flon," said Marie Zorniak, a St. John's High School teacher and co-chair of the heritage fair. "So we've really widened our base—it's become a provincial fair."
Students also had the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of workshops and explore the U of W campus through a scavenger hunt and other activities. Workshops included a History of Money with the Bank of Canada, the RCMP, Spirit Pouches and more. These learning opportunities have added to the fair's popularity over the years.
"We try to give the students an experience," Ms. Zorniak said. "They're not just waiting for their projects to be judged—they participate in workshops and the whole event becomes more of a learning conference than anything else."
Many of the students had personal ties to their historical projects, which ranged from Residential Schools to Vietnamese Boat people.
Grant Park student Aela Robbins presented a project on Viola Desmond. The black businesswoman had challenged racial segregation in a Nova Scotia movie theatre back in 1946.
"She played a vital role in raising awareness about racism and segregation in Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada," Aela said. "She is still affecting Canada to this day—she is going to be on the new ten dollar bill."
Here are the winners from this year's Red River Heritage Fair:
Heritage Winnipeg – Winnipeg Project
• Maria Sto Domingo – Murals – Elmwood High School
KGS Award – Science /Technology
• Bobby Dutt – Sustainability in Canada – Elmwood
Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum – Sports Award
• Ashley Evangelista, Psalm Samuel – Le Hockey – École Sacré-Coeur
Manitoba Historical Society – Manitoba Project
• Rushel Sacopla – Winnipeg Strike 1919 – Sisler High School
St Boniface Museum - French Language/Culture Award
• Solomon Caliot – La chasse aux bisons – Sacré-Coeur
RRHF Art Award
• Johny Merasty – 7 Generations – St. John's High School
Veterans Award (Hong Kong Veterans, Royal Winnipeg Rifles Award)
• Madison Charest, Ava Stokke – War's Silver Lining – Grant Park
Manitoba Museum Award
• Cynthea Anderson – Check Out These Pipes – Elmwood
Parks Canada Centennial Award
• Laura Tan – Louis Riel – Sargent Park School
• Allyza Tabirara – Hudson's Bay Co. – Sargent Park
IQMatrix Technology Award
• Lezlee Hastings – Tommy Prince – École J. B. Mitchell School
Treaty Relations – TRCM
• Antonio Duggan – Hudson's Bay Co. – J.B. Mitchell
Best School Enthusiasm Award – Dalnavert
• École Sacré-Coeur
City of Winnipeg Museums Board Award
• Rushel Sacopla – Winnipeg Strike 1919 – Sisler High School
Red River Heritage Fair Awards of Excellence
• Sarah Lewis – Indian Residential Schools – Sargent Park
• Stanlee Arches – Confederation – General Wolfe
