Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
CFB SHILO MILITARY BALL
Victoria Inn, Brandon
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
(please check against delivery)
Members and friends of Canada’s Armed Forces and members of the CFB Shilo community, it’s a pleasure to join you for this evening of comradeship, tradition and esprit de corps.
We are gathered this evening on Treaty Two land to pay tribute to an army base located on Treaty One land.
As Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, I acknowledge that our province is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, Dakota, Dene and Cree nations and the homeland of the Red River Métis; and that Manitoba includes northern lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit.
As Manitobans and as Canadians we remain committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Metis and Inuit people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.
Canadian Forces Base Shilo has a long and storied history within Canada’s armed forces.
The rolling sand hills and forests of Shilo have seen generations of Canadian soldiers and soldiers of Canada’s allies train for active duty.
The importance of CFB Shilo on a national and even international scale has made it a source of pride for Manitobans and place with connections throughout our province.
And, of course, Shilo is especially close to the hearts of people in the Westman region. With hundreds of military personnel and civilian employees living in and around Brandon and an economic impact of more than $100 million per year, this base is woven into the economic, social and cultural life of this area.
Many Manitobans have memories of time they’ve spent at Shilo as regular or reserve members of the Armed Forces. Many other Manitobans know of the community work and volunteer service provided by men and women from Shilo in their off hours. Still others know of Shilo as the site of the Royal Canadian Artillery Museum – a Manitoba Star Attraction and one of Canada’s largest military museums.
And so, it’s a pleasure to be able to join members of all ranks serving at Shilo – plus guests from across Western Canada and from the United States – at this spring ball.
May the music and march-pasts and the songs and solidarity of this evening fill your hearts with pride for the important work you do in defending your country, its people, its values and its sovereignty.
To all who have worked to make this evening possible thank you for helping celebrate service and tradition.
Thank you. Merci. Meegwich. Shalom
