Manitoba

Manitoba wildfires prompt First Nations pavilion to withdraw from Folklorama

Due to the impact Manitoba's wildfire situation is having on communities, organizers of the First Nations pavilion have decided to cancel their participation in the 2025 Folklorama Festival in Winnipeg.

'It is essential that space, safety and extra care be given to those most affected'

An aerial image shows a forest burning and thick smoke rising into the air.
Manitoba had 121 active wildfires on Monday and a season total of 333 to that date, well above average. (Government of Manitoba)

Due to the impact Manitoba's wildfire situation is having on communities, organizers of the First Nations pavilion have decided to cancel their participation in the 2025 Folklorama Festival in Winnipeg.

With the province in a state of emergency once again, the focus must shift to supporting those who have been displaced by the wildfires, Buffy Handel, executive director of Neemu-Egwah Inc., the First Nations pavilion's sponsoring organization, said in a news release on Wednesday.

"Many evacuees are carrying the weight of trauma after being forced to leave their homes. In this moment, it is essential that space, safety and extra care be given to those most affected."

Folklorama, which began in 1970 and labels itself as the longest-running multicultural festival in the world, runs this year from Aug. 3 to 16.

Executive director Teresa Cotroneo said in the news release that the organization is disappointed but fully stands with the decision.

"The well-being of those affected must come first." 

Another change due to the wildfires is the Brazilian pavilion moving from week one (Aug. 3-9) to week two (Aug. 10-16) and relocating from the third floor of the RBC Convention Centre's south building to the second floor of the north building. The adjustment is necessary to accommodate an emergency shelter for evacuees.