Light up the night this Nuit Blanche at the Museum! Be immersed in Nibi (which means water in Anishinaabe). This project by Indigenous artist Jaimie Isaac honours the sacredness of water with lights, energy and sound. It asks what it could mean for the future of Winnipeg’s waterways if they were granted the status and the rights of a person.

This piece will be projected on the Museum from 6 p.m. to midnight as you enter at the Group Entrance. Nuit Blanche‐goers will have the opportunity to participate and listen to speakers about their ideas of Nibi from 6 – 7 p.m.
And the art continues indoors too! Step inside to enjoy an interactive selfie wall and a night full of live music. Manitoba Music has curated a lineup of artists who will keep the energy going until midnight.

This celebration of artistic expression is free and open to all!

Nibi by Jaimie Isaac

What if the Red River was a person? What would it be like if it held personhood status? In 2017, New Zealand/Aotearoa passed a groundbreaking law granting legal personhood status to the Whanganui River. This declares that the river is a living whole, from the mountains to the sea, incorporating all its physical and metaphysical elements, honouring the Māori perspective of it as an ancestor, a relative. It is the first river in the world to be recognized as an indivisible and living being.

Embedded in Indigenous worldviews, water is sacred. The waterways are like Mother Earth’s veins, the lifeblood of existence sustaining and nurturing life. The Red River is an important waterway of Winnipeg. Envisioning a future for it as a person compelled Indigenous artist Jaimie Isaac to create Nibi – a project that speaks to water sovereignty, protection and rights. Nibi (meaning water in Anishinaabe) poses the concept of the Red River and Lake Winnipeg gaining personhood through supporting the work of others who have been advocating on behalf of the waterways in Manitoba. 

Colonial interferences polluted the Red River and Lake Winnipeg, causing environmental degradation that endangers human livelihood, food security and precious water security. In 2022, 60 million litres of raw sewage spilled into the river — and again in 2024, more than 230 million litres of raw sewage caused extensive environmental damage, directly impacting the health and wellbeing of many dependent on the waterways.

Giving the Red River and Lake Winnipeg the legal status of a person would give these sacred waterways rights. Thus any action or violation against them would be a human rights issue. Given their deep spiritual and social connection to communities, what could this mean for the future and everyone who depends on this water?

Nibi is an immersive experience with projected images and film of the Whanganui River and Red River paralleled, showcasing the relationship of what is and what could be. This piece honouring water with lights, energy and sound will be projected in the Group Entrance of the Museum until midnight. From 6 to 7 p.m., speakers, including the artist, will share their ideas through prose and poetry about water sovereignty.

Manitoba Music lineup

Take in the sounds of local musicians while participating in an immersive art experience and an interactive selfie wall. Through a partnership with Manitoba Music, the artists below will be bringing the energy all night long (in order of appearance):

Gully 

Gully is a member of hip‐hop collective The Lytics, whose sound is a soulful boom‐bap cultivated by Winnipeg. The group has released three albums to date: The Lytics, They Told Me and Hold On. In November 2023, Gully released his first solo project Makishi Dance. 

Osani

Osani Balkaran, aka The O.B., is a Guyanese/Cree abstract rapper and music producer from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He incorporates philosophies and aesthetics from both his cultures to shape and deliver a picture of day‐to‐day anxieties. His cinematic, dreamlike performance paints a picture of imperfection and beauty using instrumentals and sound design. Osani also has a vast array of training and work experience with arts‐based organizations, such as Studio 393/Graffiti Gallery, Red RisingMagazine and Unity Charity. As a music instructor and youth ambassador, he hopes to bring continued investment and interest in the creative sector by connecting with the next generation of aspiring artists. 

MA BWE

MA BWE (pronounced: Mah‐Boy) is a producer collective that specializes in French House. Members include Steve “BBS Steve” Teixeira, Danny “ARAYUH” Araya and Erik “Turbo” Redekopp. Beginning in the centre of Canada, the Producer/DJs call on their international roots to filter the flavour back onto the dance floor.

The Kaptain

The Kaptain will play a variety of upbeat songs to keep the party going and the vibe smooth sailing. They are an Indigenous DJ that loves to represent their culture through their music!