Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
MARINE MUSEUM OF MANITOBA 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Government House
Thursday, August 29, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
(please check against delivery)
Fellow Manitobans, members of the crew of the Marine Museum of Manitoba – welcome to Government House and this celebration of a half century of keeping history alive.
As Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and in the homeland of the Red River Metis and that the lakes and rivers of this province flow through the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, Anishininew (ANISH-IN-INEW), Cree, Dakota, Dene and Nehetho (NE-HET-HO) Nation. As well, 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.
From an early age, Manitobans learn of the importance of water transportation in the development of this province and its cities and towns. We learn about the canoe and York Boat routes that connected the very heart of North America with distant oceans.
But what brings those history lessons to life is seeing the vessels that once plied the waters of our province.
The Marine Museum of Manitoba fills in visitors’ understanding of the role of water transportation and connects the age of voyageur canoes to the age of steamships and diesel freighters.
And like so many important historical resources in Manitoba, it is the product of volunteers with a passion for history.
Restoring and maintaining your fleet of heritage vessels has required the dedication of generations of Manitobans – the original visionaries who imagined that Selkirk could be home to a museum of marine history and the many workers since who have kept that history alive.
That work has ensured that the museum is an important resource for schools looking for an exciting field trip, for families looking for an all-ages outing and for people of all ages interested in an experiencing a piece of Manitoba’s past.
To all who have made that possible, thank you for fifty years of enhancing our understanding and appreciation of history.
Congratulations on this milestone anniversary and may the Marine Museum of Manitoba enjoy smooth sailing for many years to come.
Thank you. Merci. Meegwich. Shalom
