In the heart of Winnipeg across from the Historic Forks and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the St. Boniface Heritage Garden is located on the traditional territory of the Assiniboine, Anishinaabe and Métis, and historic river front property of the Archdiocese of St. Boniface. This historic green space renders homage to Catholic Women Religious who were instrumental in the development of Manitoba’s health, educational, and social service systems, to Western Canada’s first missionaries, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who were instrumental in the foundation of many mission communities throughout Manitoba, the North and Western Canada, as well as an area dedicated to pay tribute to the Métis Nation. The property also houses the Archbishop of Saint-Boniface Residence constructed in 1864.
Beyond just the garden, the St. Boniface cathedral, cemetery, and museum are situated at the beating heart of the Métis Nation. As the seat of a diocese that once covered the entire Northwest, St. Boniface represents an important religious hub to many Métis Catholics. To this day, it remains an active parish, and many of its congregants continue to be Métis.