We're super proud to announce that we have renamed our annual round dance in memory of the late Honourable Murray Sinclair. The change is a collaborative effort with the Sinclair family to give community members an opportunity to remember, celebrate, and honour the legacy of a remarkable man, while singing, dancing, and socializing in that good way.
"There is nothing our dad loved more than being in the community, celebrating who we are and our ways of life as Indigenous people,' says Dene Sinclair, on behalf of the Sinclair family. "We hope everyone will come out and remember him, celebrate with him, and be together with our family."
The Murray Sinclair Memorial Round Dance is set for Friday, January 23, 2026 at the RBC Convention Centre in downtown Winnipeg and as in previous years, it will kickstart the WASAC Night celebrations for the Winnipeg Jets and cap-off the annual Winterruption Festival with the West End Cultural Centre.
Our partners for the round dance include the Murray Sinclair Family Fund, the West End Cultural Centre, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, True North Sports + Entertainment, the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sports Achievement Centre, and the University of Manitoba.
The Murray Sinclair Memorial Round Dance
Presented by the sākihiwē festival, the Murray Sinclair Family Fund, the West End Cultural Centre, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, True North Sports + Entertainment, the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sports Achievement Centre, and the University of Manitoba.
Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Location: RBC Convention Centre, Hall A in the North Building
Admission: Free
MC: Hal Eagletail
Stickman: Darryl Buck
Whipman: Daniel Sangrey
Invited singers: TBA
Invited backup singers: TBA
Murray Sinclair artwork by Danielle Angeconeb-Morrison
Murray Sinclair photo by Ian McCausland
Schedule:
3:00 PM: Doors open
4:00 PM: Pipe ceremony
5:00 PM: Feast
6:00 PM: First song
10:30 PM: Giveaway
Reserved seating for Elders: The first row of chairs will be reserved for Elders and their families, along with guests who are using wheeled devices and people who prefer to avoid stairs.
ACCESSIBILITY
The RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg provides visitors with a fully accessible environment to ensure ease and enjoyment of all activities in and around the Convention Centre.
Wheelchair accessibility. Complimentary transport chairs available on a first-come first-served basis at our security desk on the second floor of the North building. Please bring ID with you, upon request.
Automatic motion activated sliding entrance door on York Avenue. All other entrances are equipped with activation switches and push buttons.
Passenger elevators equipped with raised panel and Braille keys.
Elevators located in all corners of the North building.
All washrooms equipped with wheelchair accessible stalls and sinks.
Access to gender-inclusive washrooms.
Designated disabled parking stalls in both north and south parkades.
TTY Pay Telephone on the first-floor southeast concourse of the North building.
Climate controlled skywalk system that connects to Delta Winnipeg and other entertainment venues, restaurants and hotels throughout downtown Winnipeg.
FUNDING PARTNERS
We acknowledge the Government of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, and the Winnipeg Arts Council for their financial support of the sākihiwē festival's round dance programming.
Also check out other Sports events in Winnipeg, Festivals in Winnipeg, Music events in Winnipeg.
