Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
ST. JOHN AMBULANCE INVESTITURE AND AWARDS CEREMONY
Government House
Tuesday, October 29, 2023, 5:00 p.m.
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Members and friends of a great organization, welcome to Government House and this celebration of service to society.
As Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, I acknowledge that we are gathered on Treaty One land and in the homeland of the Red River Metis and that our province is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, Anishininew (ANISH-IN-INEW), Cree, Dakota, Dene and Nehetho (NE-HET-HO) Nation. and Red River Metis.
And since this branch of the St. John Ambulance includes Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, it’s especially significant to note that northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit.
As Manitobans, we respect the spirit and intent of treaties and treaty making and remain committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Metis and Inuit people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.
How do we as Manitobans and Canadians bring about that future of partnership and build a society that offers opportunities for all? The values of the St. John Ambulance provide a roadmap.
Those values – teamwork, fairness, equity, integrity, constructiveness, respect, loyalty, tolerance and quality and balance of life – are vital in order to thrive as a society.
The St. John Ambulance has worked to protect Canadians since 1883, animated by a spirit of concern for others.
All Canadians are familiar with the trained first aid providers that have been a fixture at events and special gatherings across our country for many years. But the society’s service to Canadians has also evolved to meet new needs.
Today, the St. John Ambulance provides many other essential services – from therapy dog programs, to mental health and wellness to dangerous goods training.
The St. John Ambulance’s service to Canadians would not be possible without the service and leadership of 15,000 volunteers across Canada. This evening, we will recognize, through investiture in the Order of St. John and through several of the society’s awards, people who truly bring the St. John Ambulance’s values to life.
That same spirit of concern for others shows in the acts of individuals who step up in emergencies to aid people in need.
This evening, we will have the pleasure to meet a group of individuals who provided first aid or other assistance in emergencies.
Recipients of the St. John Ambulance Life Saving Award may have provided first aid in order to save or attempt to save a life. Or they may have assisted in some other urgent capacity. They may have responded alone or as a part of a group. And the setting and circumstances may involve workplaces, residential settings, recreation, transportation and any other situation where somebody requires life-saving help.
What every incident has in common is a person in urgent need and at least one person stepping doing what they can to help.As Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, and vice-prior of the St. John Ambulance, I congratulate all of this evening’s honourees. And I thank you all for the values you put into practice.
Thank you. Merci. Meegwich. Shalom