Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA CONVOCATION ADDRESS
Investors Group Athletic Centre
Thursday, June 6, 2024
(please check against delivery)
Students, family and friends of the graduates, faculty, and members of the University of Manitoba family, it’s a tremendous honour to share this special day with you and join a long list of people recognized by a university that is close to my heart and part of my life.
As a University of Manitoba graduate, I’m always pleased to return to my alma mater, here in the heart of Treaty One land and the homeland of the Red River Metis.
In a province that is the ancestral and present-day home of the Anishinaabe, Anishininew (ANISH-IN-INEW), Dakota, Dene, Nehetho (NE-HET-HO) Nation, Inuit and Metis peoples, the University of Manitoba plays an essential role in fostering understanding, inclusion and opportunities for all.
It is an incredible honor to be granted this degree under the mandate of President Benarroch who provides visionary leadership to this institution of higher learning. And it is a particular honor to share this event with today’s graduates – along with their family and friends.
Over the course of my career, as a board member of the Winnipeg School Division and later as a Member of Parliament, I have attended many high school and post-secondary convocations.
But I certainly never imagined I would attend one as the King’s representative in Manitoba. Nor did I ever picture myself wearing a brilliant red honorary doctorate robe. Truth be told I never envisioned assuming the role of Lieutenant Governor.
I got the call two years ago asking if I would be interested in taking on this role and my reaction was: “Who? Me?”
On this day when many of you are preparing to take on new roles in life, when you are receiving the degrees that will open new career paths for you, I’m going to suggest to you an answer you can use when you find yourself questioning the options opening for you.
“Why not me?”
In whatever career pathway lies before you – in agriculture, foods and nutrition, education, music or anywhere else – you are going to find yourself with unexpected opportunities and interesting but serious challenges.
You might question whether you have the right experience or the connections or professional reputation. You might feel that somebody else will certainly be a stronger candidate.
But I say to you: “Why not you?”
That has been a ground rule of mine when opportunities have arisen. And when I’ve taken advantage of those opportunities, I have learned and grown and met inspiring people who have expanded and influenced my outlook on life.
Sometimes, these things will take you completely by surprise. Just as an example, I’ll point to the time many years ago I received a call asking if I would like to be what’s called a lay bencher for the Law Society of Manitoba. A lay bencher is a non-lawyer who sits on the Law Society’s governing bodies to provide a community perspective.
I had about five minutes to decide if I would do it, and to be honest, I didn’t really know that a lay bencher did or was.
But I said yes.
As someone close to me had repeatedly said “Never pass up an opportunity”.
So, accept those challenges.
- You have learned a great deal in these last few years.
- You’ve studied the history and latest developments in your chosen field.
- You’ve practiced specialized skills and developed your talents.
- You’ve stretched your creativity.
- You’ve advanced knowledge through your own advanced, in-depth research.
Now comes a new educational journey, as you apply what you’ve learned in your work with your students, patients, customers or co-workers.
And on that new learning journey, you’ll have new responsibilities. As a teacher, an agronomist, a dietitian, a biosystems engineer, or as a member of any other professional body, you will now have a public responsibility.
At the outset of my mandate as Lieutenant Governor, I identified education, reconciliation and human rights as my priorities. I remain committed to combatting hatred, prejudice and ignorance. It has always been my hope that by coming together as a society with an open-minded commitment, we can celebrate and forge a respect for the diversity that exists within the community we all call home.
I strongly believe that continuity and growth will depend on our collective efforts of reconciliation. Change is imperative. Just this week, we have witnessed this institution apologize for the misuse and abuse of Indigenous artifacts and in the words of President Bennaroch “commit to the repatriation and rematriation of these items”.
I often cite the late Thomas Malloy-the former Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan – who said in his installation speech “Reconciliation will not be easy, but it is critical to the future of our country. It requires from each of us a willingness to operate outside our comfort zone and make a concerted effort towards relationship building”.
Be aware, as you go out into the world, of the complexity of the issues that surround us all. Seek understanding. Avoid easy answers. Don’t confuse placing a label on a subject with understanding that subject.
We live in an age of hashtags – and they can be effective at raising an issue’s profile. But by clicking “like” on a hashtag is no substitute for hashing out the details of complex ideas, issues and controversy.
You are graduating in a world of ever-changing technological, political, economic and social challenges. You are going out into a vastly more diverse society than I entered when I graduated from this university – indeed a society more aware of justice and equality.
Old realities are metastasizing into new 21st century forms. We live in a much more polarized world.
All of you, whatever your field of study, whatever your future career path, will need to keep listening and learning as the world around you changes.
Those of you who will become teachers will be in a position to inspire and guide young minds. But all of you, as leaders in your fields, mentors to co-workers, specialized experts, will have the opportunity to inspire and guide others.
And all of you have a role to play in helping our province and our country become more aware, more just, more equitable for all, regardless of race, religion, gender or family origins. it has been said that we do so by showing up for each other as much in times of joy as in times of sorrow and distress.
I congratulate you and I celebrate you all on the hard work and talent that has brought you to today. And I wish you well as you build on your educational successes to create a life for yourself and a better world for all around you.
And if I can close with a favorite words of Margaret Lawrence- one of Manitoba’s most esteemed and respected authors- “So, if this were indeed my Final Hour, these would be my words to you. I would not claim to pass on any secret of life, for there is none, or any wisdom except the passionate plea of caring. Try to feel, in your heart’s core, the reality of others. This is the most painful thing in the world, probably, and the most necessary.”
Thank you. Merci. Meegwich. Shalom
