The first point of interest for today was the National Indigenous Residential School Museum in Portage La Prairie. This was an actual residential school and now houses a museum along with an indigenous police station.

The museum was closed yesterday so we spent the night in Portage La Prairie to be able to see it today, but alas, although it is supposed to be open Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30, nobody showed up to open it today. Even another couple that booked a tour for 10:30am had to be disappointed that everything was dark.

Disappointed, we set out for Winnipeg to visit the Assiniboine Park and zoo to see the animals. What a fascinating place to see different animals from all around the world.

The Gibbons were particularly fun to watch jumping from rope to rope and chasing each other. Their white hands, feet and faces really stood out.

A large section of the zoo focuses on the Churchill area with polar bears and harbour seals. The polar bears were relatively inactive but the seals were having a blast entertaining the crowds.

The facility housing the polar bears and seals has an underwater tunnel so you can see the animals in the water. Really neat and definitely worth a visit.

Did you know that Inuksuit are like street signs with specific meaning? Here’s a chart of some of different ones and their meanings.

After seeing the seals swimming we thought we should also practice a bit and this happened at the St. James Assiniboia Centennial Pool and Fitness Centre. For $15 we swam lengths until exhausted. The seals were definitely faster and had more endurance and elegance.