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, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, 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, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, 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: Dallas Waskahat, Biindigaygizhig Deleary, Darrell Paskimin, Brendon Harvey, Hallo Day, Shkawb Deleary, Jaycee Seenie, Dorion Bittern
Invited backup singers: Fawn Wood, Fawn Meshake, Daintry Kewayosh, Tiana Spotted Thunder, Amanda Gauthier, Crissy Slater, April Slater, Mars Ballantyne
Indigenous marketplace vendors: Red River Ribbon, NeonBeads, Elevate, Black Wolfdog Designs, Fox n' Fuddle, Kristen McKay Inspirations, Pretty Windy Designs, A Sunrise Creation, Soft Heart Designs, Chevz Thredz, O'Meara Roots, Miigwan Feather Designs, Good Medicine Woman, Alexa, Raven Creations, Indigify, Bird House Creations, Thunderbird Threads, Solstice Beading, Auntie Dee's Designs, and Bruno Henry Designs
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
11:45 PM: Last song
Shop the Indigenous marketplace, open 3:00 PM - 12:00 AM.
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
All entrances to the RBC Convention Centre are barrier-free.
There are elevators located in all corners of the North building and they are equipped with raised panel and Braille keys.
All washrooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible stalls and sinks.
Designated accessible parking stalls are available in both north and south underground parkades. The cost of parking underground at the RBC Convention Centre is $4/hour during the day and $10 for an evening (5:00 PM - 5:00 AM).
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.
