Chāpān Games and Teachings
Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 11am – 5pm
CN Stage, Field & Skatepark at The Forks
The FREE family-friendly event focuses on the Chāpān Circle of Elders healing through the medicine of laughter and having fun with traditional Indigenous games and will feature:
- Grand Entry
- Elders and kokums sharing circle
- Dancers
- Chāpān Traditional Kids Games
- Prizes
- Live Entertainment
- Drag
- Storytellers
- Skateboarding Demos + Lessons
- Free Art Workshop
- Indigenous Maker Market
- Free food by Winnipeg Centre of Hope - The Salvation Army (while supplies last)
- Food trucks
- Grand Finale
The meaning behind the Cree word Chāpān refers to the traditional role of the elderly as well as youth in families, especially when everyone in the community left every summer to go hunting and fishing at the family camps.
Granny Albert McLeod explains, “here, everyone had a role, everyone was busy – one of the Traditional roles of the Chāpāns was to take care of the young - sometimes they would lead the little ones, and sometimes the little ones would lead their Chāpans. This was the cycle of life and a very special relationship.”
“This is very different from today,” Granny Louise remarks. “Chāpān Games and Teachings is a time to remember and dream about what life was like before we all had to live apart from each other.”
We ask that attendees bring a pair of shoes to fit a child in kindergarten-grade 8. The shoes will be displayed during the event and then donated to a school up north.
All are welcome, free to attend, RSVP isn't required.
We hope to see you there!
