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

Thick crowdslined the sidewalks multiple rows deep many scrambling to higher vantage points on rooftops as anearly six-kilometre-long parade wound its way alongMain Street and Portage Avenue in1949 to mark the 75th anniversary of Winnipeg's incorporation.

It was a spectacle offloats, marching bands and acrobatsthat drew a crowd of 125,000, which was more than a third of the city's entirepopulation of just over 348,000.

The same type of pageantry tookplace in1924 for the city's 50th anniversary, and would again in1974 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," saidGordon 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 nowhave 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,"Goldsboroughsaid.

"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 canstill observe milestone anniversaries andhistorical events, but withthe 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 1873but it wasn't untilJanuary 1874 that the first civic election and council meeting was held, which is why that is the acknowledgedanniversary year.

In July 1886, thefirst CPR train arrived in the city, igniting thegrain industry and drawing thousands ofspeculators and new residents. Winnipeg by 1911 was the third-largestin Canada, but the growth came at a heavy costas First Nations andMtis 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,andthe floats often paid tribute to theirmotherlands.

They also trumpetedthe 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 likeHollywood actress Margaret Alexis Smithand Olympic figure-skating champ Barbara Ann Scott.

In 1974,Canada Post issued a stamp featuring Portage and Main and theRoyal 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 councillorscaptained byMayor Stephen Juba, against the Golden Boys, a team of MLAs. Some4,000 watched the City Fathers takea4-1 victory and claim theLegislator's Cup.

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

City representatives have setup at various neighbourhood festivals tohandout Winnipeg 150items, theanniversary has also been spotlighted at Bombers, Goldeyes and Sea Bearsgames, a showcase ofhistorical images is being toured around the cityand councillors are hosting special events in their wards.

A number of organizations, like Folkloramaand the folk festival, were given grants to honour Winnipeg 150 at their events, and themayor's ball in October willraise 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. "Ourintention is to celebrate for a whole year."

Special medals will be presentedto 150 people who'vemade big contributions to the city, witha tree planted in their name in a park.

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

Thelogo for Winnipeg 150was designed by Cree artist Jordan Stranger and features multiple symbols, including footprints representing apath toward reconciliation. It is allenclosed 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," saidWiltshire.

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 createa lasting legacy.

DavidChartrand, president of the Manitoba Mtis Federation, worries about the cityburying its jubilee in small events rather thangiving 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 [Mtis] 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 Mtis homelandand has its foundations in the Red River Settlement, the birthplace of our Nation. We believe that this city and this province are worth celebrating."