This spring, Lake Winnipeg Foundation (LWF) organized three field trips for newcomer and equity-deserving communities in Winnipeg, giving participants a chance to visit the lake, learn about the watershed, and discuss how to protect it.

During three outings in May and June, over a hundred newcomers, seniors, and families visited the lake, many for the first time. Thanks to support from trusted community partners, the trips included transportation, meals, and accessible planning. This helped remove barriers like cost, lack of a vehicle, language or mobility needs, and not knowing the area outside the city.

May 26 - Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM)
LWF staff picked up families by bus in the morning and drove out to the Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail, the starting point for all three trips this spring. Walking the boardwalk, the group learned how the wetland's plants and soil filter nutrients such as phosphorus before they reach Lake Winnipeg, and how that affects the health of the lake downstream. After lunch, everyone continued on to Patricia Beach, where families spent the afternoon by the water.

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May 30 - African Communities of Manitoba Inc. (ACOMI) and Black Seniors Support Inc.
Seniors from ACOMI and Black Seniors Support Inc. made the same trip to Brokenhead a few days later, walking the boardwalk and taking in the wetland ecosystem along the way. From there, the group headed to Grand Beach to spend the afternoon along the shoreline.

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June 8 - Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network
The third and final trip, in June, brought participants from Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network out to Brokenhead once more, followed by an afternoon at Patricia Beach to close out the season.

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To share my own experience of the forest and the lake with folks who hadn’t ever seen the wetlands and the shoreline of Lake Winnipeg was a gift. The conversations along the trail, taking in the new blossoming flowers, the different trees along the trail were vibrant and bright. There were so many lovely moments with the groups while we walked, but being present when the kiddos splashed around in the water with wide smiles or the joy of dipping toes into the lake with newcomers for the first time. It was so valuable to help introduce folks to the environment that we so deeply care for.

Paul trevenen, lwf volunteer

Each partner organization helped recruit participants and shared information about dietary, cultural, language, and accessibility needs, so we could shape each day around the people attending it. We handled transportation, meals, supplies, and scheduling, while staff from each organization supported participants throughout every outing.

These trips are part of Lake Winnipeg Foundation’s ongoing effort to build lasting relationships with communities that have not always been well represented in environmental programs and advocacy, while helping more people come to know the lake and have a voice in its future.

Thank you to our partner organizations:

• Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba
• African Communities of Manitoba Inc. & Black Seniors Support Inc.
• Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network

Thank you as well to the volunteers and staff. This project was made possible with the support of The Winnipeg Foundation and Red River Co-op.

Interested in bringing your community group to Lake Winnipeg? Get in touch with us to learn more about future trips.