A Fort Richmond school will be showcased on the river trail this winter. 

Last week, The Forks announced the winners of this year's Warming Huts design competition. Among the over 200 submissions was one from École St. Avila School.

The competition had a successful inaugural school program last year, so this year, they put out a call again for all schools in Manitoba to enter. 

Several submissions were received in that category, making for a tough decision. In the end, a group of elementary students from École St. Avila School won with their design called Amisk.

"The students agreed that their warming hut needed to acknowledge and educate about Turtle Island, Treaty 1, and the importance of The Forks,” said École St. Avila School teacher librarian Tytanya Fillion to the Forks. “We want the project to be accessible to all ages, and we are looking to create a hut where families can enter, warm up, and self-educate. When it was announced that Amisk was chosen, everyone cheered, and from that day, we’ve all been a part of team Amisk.”

Amisk is the Cree word for beaver, which represents wisdom. The hut will feature a sacred circle carpet with a big basket of books written and illustrated by Inuit, Metis and Indigenous people. It will be built using materials from nature. 

The warming hut design also includes a sign with eight interesting facts about beavers. It will be written in French, English, Cree and Braille. There will also be a bulletin board where visitors can leave words of wisdom. 

The river trail at The Forks is expected to open in late January 2024.