Pictures of the manufacturing process were not allowed. On our tour, we first saw how the large coiled strips of steel roll off of a machine that reminds one of a very large scotch tape dispenser. This steel is then fed into a punch press which is capable of producing 13,000 coin blanks per minute. The coin blanks then run through a machine that removes rough edges and also creates the country unique rim on the coin blank. The blanks are then coated with nickel and copper plating. An interesting thing we learned on this tour is that vending machines identify coins by weight or size but rather by the copper signature that each coin has. After plating, the coins are dried and polished and each is examined by a state of the art inspection camera that examines 180,000 coins per hour. In fact, throughout the manufacturing process, each coin is examined 3 different times. The coins are then stuck with their image using a high-speed coining press and finished off by rolling or wrapping to ship to their final destination. The whole operation was fascinating to learn about and watch.
Our Manitoba Museum tour was a journey through Manitoba's human and natural history past, present, and future. The plesiosaur original fossil, estimated at 90-94 Million years old, is one of the best specimens of these in the world and also the only complete one found in Canada. The inukshuit were used by the Inuit to help them chart their course in difficult waters or windswept snowdrifts. These directional markers were important for these Arctic and Subarctic. The Amautik we found quite interesting. The Amautik is a parka worn by Inuit women. The Inuit mother carries her infant in the Amautik until the child is about 2 years of age. The child rides in a pouch located behind the hood. When it is time to nurse the child, the child is moved to the large shoulder areas for nursing, never being exposed to the elements. The enlarged knee areas are used to store diapering material which typically was layers of moss. Within this museum is also a full-scale replica of the Nonsuch and all are free to board her. The Nonsuch first sailed the Hudson Bay in 1668 on a trading voyage for what would become the Hudson Bay Company. There was an entire room dedicated to the Hudson Bay Company which began as a Fur-trading company. The Hudson Bay Company became the world’s largest landowner at one point, controlling what was then known as Rupert’s Land. The company claimed a monopoly over the region drained by all rivers and streams that flowed into Hudson Bay. This area comprised 1/3 of what today comprises modern-day Canada. We also learned about the disturbing controversy that the Hudson Bay blankets used in the fur trade were possibly purposely infected with smallpox as an intended First Nation people genocide. Another favorite in this museum was the recreation of the city of Winnipeg in the 1920’s. A moment of time has been preserved in the wooden boardwalks, railway station, factories, and commercial establishments.
Next up was the Manitoba Legislative building. What we thought would be a typical legislative tour turned into an intriguing tale that involves the Freemasons. The building seems to have held her secrets for many years and the connection to the Freemasons really was not uncovered until the early 2000’s. Standing in the entry we learned that just as ancient temples had two large horned bulls guarding the entrance, the legislature features two large male bison. These bison guards a stairwell with three flights of 13 steps. There are 13 stones in the archway, 13 lights in every hallway and the bison are 13 feet long. The number "666" is recurring as well. The main room is 66.6-feet long and 66.6-feet wide. There is a painting intended to celebrate Manitoba's sacrifice in the Great War where there is a soldier carrying a wounded Christ. The painting also cleverly hides a Madonna and child and the torn white garments are said to be part of the Freemason initiation ceremony. The Golden Boy on the top of the building is in fact, the statue of the God Hermes, son of Zeus and messenger to the Gods. On the lower floor is an eight-pointed black star. If you stand exactly on the star and even whisper, people all around will hear you loud and clear because of the strange acoustics. If you speak normally, it sounds as if you are in an echo chamber. For those interested, more information is available in this short video Freemason Influence
Such a busy day, but there is always enough time to go to a Chocolate Factory. Morden’s chocolatier and custom nut roasting is a small family owned and operated the business in Winnipeg since 1959. The building is small and the chocolates are handcrafted. Their signature Russian Mints won first prize for Best Chocolate Piece at the 1984 New Orleans World Fair. Of course, we all got to sample several delicious things.
Our visit continues with a trip to St. Boniface Cathedral. The ruins of the stone cathedral are from the fourth cathedral (1908-1968) to succumb to fire on the site. The cathedral featured a 25-foot stained glass round window and seated about 2000 people. In 1972, a new smaller cathedral was built behind the 1906 façade. The new cathedral is rather modern in the various art contained within. One of the notable people buried in the church cemetery is the political leader of the Metis People of the Canadian Prairie, Louis Riel. The Metis are persons of mixed American Indian and Euro-American ancestry. They are recognized by the Canadian Government today as one of its aboriginal people. We learned how Riel has become a sort of folk hero. He sought to preserve Metis rights and culture as their homelands progressively came under the Canadian sphere of influence. He was portrayed as a heroic rebel who fought to protect his Francophone people from the unfair encroachments of an Anglophone national government. He eventually was arrested and convicted of high treason. Prime Minister MacDonald had him hung. There is still controversy over whether Riel was a hero, martyr or a criminal. Most we talked with, however, it seems lean towards believing him to be a patriot and the Father of Manitoba.
My last coverage for our Winnipeg visit is the Canada Museum for Human Rights. I entered this Museum at ground level, into a space that has a subterranean feel. I gradually worked my way higher on a series of inclined ramps that revealed more and more daylight. There are six levels of exhibits and 11 galleries. The unique architecture of the building parallels a human rights journey – it requires some effort while having a few twists and turns along the way. We spent ½ a day here and felt like we needed a week for each floor. Regardless, we left with so much more than we entered with and we would happily return.
One could come to this building for the architecture and design alone. Exploring this museum certainly takes more than one visit. There are 11 main galleries (in addition to the wonderful traveling Mandela Exhibit that we toured) spread over 5 main floors: what are human rights; Indigenous perspectives; Canadian Journeys; Protecting Rights in Canada; Examining the Holocaust; Breaking the Silence (examines various cases off genocide}; Actions count: Rights Today; Expressions Today and Inspiring Change.
We both learned so much at this museum. Some of the things most enlightening in this museum for us included the horrors of the indigenous schools in Canada (yes the US had their own too), several of the world’s genocides that we were not that familiar with and also the fact that Canada has passed an anti-hate speech law. We also enjoyed the symbolism of the interactive floor exhibit. There are a theatre and an interactive floor exhibit that produces separate light bubbles when individuals stand on the floor. These bubbles merge when multiple people stand in spaces close to one another. Once they leave their merged space their individual bubbles contain more colors than prior. The exhibit is designed to talk about inclusion and cooperation and what each of us gains from that. This was not only fun but also memorable and meaningful. Interactive Floor Display
   Manitoba Museum  Manitoba Museum  Manitoba Museum   Manitoba Museum  The Face of Men were put on Women's Bodies To Scare off Evil Spirits Manitoba Museum  Manitoba Museum  Manitoba Museum           Occurs only in 1 of 10 million buffalo births Assiniboine Park Zoo Winnipeg        St. Boniface Cathedral         Canadian Museum for Human Rights   Canadian Museum for Human Rights  These individuals posed at Auschwitz, they are the people that worked and lived at Auschwitz Canadian Museum for Human Rights   |
