The Manitoba Fibre Festival, started in 2013 in Winnipeg, is a registered non-profit organization supported by an enthusiastic and appreciative community.
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Mission
The Manitoba Fibre Festival creates an environment that brings together producers and crafts people to build up and support a growing fibre arts industry and community in Manitoba.
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Intention
We take pride in offering a friendly, supportive venue for learning new skills, for creative collaboration, and for celebrating local resources.
We value diversity and accessibility. At our events everyone is welcomed, accepted and respected; regardless of your age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, ability, national or ethnic origin, political or religious belief or non-belief.
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Reconciliation
The Manitoba Fibre Festival venue is located on Treaty 1 territory, the original land of Anishinaabeg, Ininewuk, Anishininewuk, and Dakota Oyate, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Metis. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we wish to move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration with Indigenous communities. We are grateful for the opportunity to live here, to raise our fibre-producing animals on this land, and to create and share with others who appreciate the direct connection of fibre arts to the land on which we live.
Meet the Team
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Anna Hunter
she/her
Board of Directors / Ag End
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ash alberg
they/them
Board of Directors / Marketing & Social Media
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Bethany Booy
she/her
Demonstrations Coordinator
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Bernice Rivers
she/her
Merchandise Coordinator
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Christel Lanthier
she/her/elle
Board of Directors / Programmes en français
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Danielle Unett
she/her
Vendor Coordinator
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Florence Barnsley
she/her
Board of Directors / Finance & Accounting
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Heather Beattie Curran
she/her
Admissions Coordinator
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Hillary King
she/her
Board of Directors / Workshops
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Mandy Furney
she/her
Board of Directors / Finance & Accounting
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Marilyn Firth
she/her
Board of Directors / Grants
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Noel Galuschik
she/her
Board of Directors / Site Coordinator
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Shirley Harvey
she/her
Wool Show Coordinator
Honouring Margaret Brook
Founder of the Manitoba Fibre Festival
In 2012, Margaret Brook founded the Manitoba Fibre Festival with a vision to bring together farmers, fibre artists, natural dyers, and the broader community to celebrate Manitoba’s local textile industry. What began in a small community centre in St. Norbert has grown—thanks to her tireless work and unwavering passion—into a vibrant, weekend-long festival hosted at the Red River Exhibition grounds.
Under Margaret’s leadership, the Festival became much more than an event. It grew into a trusted gathering space offering hands-on workshops, a bustling vendor market, live animal displays, and interactive demonstrations. She built not only an event but a brand and a network that has become central to fibre arts and sustainable textiles in Manitoba.
Margaret is also co-owner of Leafhaven Shetlands, a flock of registered Shetland sheep, and a passionate advocate for the Shetland breed. Her deep commitment to preserving purebred Shetlands has helped protect the genetic diversity of this heritage breed in Manitoba. Since 2018, she has served as co-director of the Pembina Fibreshed, continuing her work to support local fibre systems and sustainable practices.
Her heart belongs to the land—especially to the Birch River in eastern Manitoba—where she finds peace and inspiration. Through her years of dedication, Margaret has laid the foundation for a thriving fibre arts community rooted in education, celebration, and small-scale economic opportunity.
The Manitoba fibre arts landscape would not be what it is today without Margaret’s vision, leadership, and hard work. We are deeply grateful for all she has given and wish her joy and fulfillment in her future fibre adventures.
Thank you, Margaret.
Paying it forward
A portion of admission fees collected will be donated to Ka Ni Kanichihk, “Those Who Lead”, a Winnipeg-based organization offering Indigenous-designed and led programs and services essential for bringing about meaningful social transformation. Ka Ni Kanichihk provides education and job-skills training, support for women and families, and mentorship.
