Manitoba Lieutenant Governor

Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba

The Honourable Anita R. Neville, P.C., O.M.

Hindu Society of Manitoba Diwali Celebration 2024

Remarks by

The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.

Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba

HINDU SOCIETY OF MANITOBA DIWALI CELEBRATION

RBC Convention Centre

Saturday, October 19, 2024

(please check against delivery)

 

Friends, members and supporters of the Hindu Society of Manitoba, thank you for the opportunity to join you for this celebration of Diwali.

As Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, it is a pleasure to gather with you here, in the heart of Treaty One territory and the homeland of the Red River Metis.

I acknowledge 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 I acknowledge 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.

As the weather turns colder, the days get shorter and the nights get longer, one thing we all have in common is our search to find ways to navigate the long, dark winter days until spring arrives once again.

So what better time than now the come together and – through this festival of lights – celebrate the victory of light over darkness?

Tonight, we celebrate not just light, but enlightenment.

It has been my pleasure for many years to experience festivals and traditions of the many cultures that make Manitoba such a wonderful place to call home.

I have learned that seeking out and embracing our differences allows for so much more learning and for a deeper understanding of the incredible wealth of diversity and spirit of inclusion that so greatly adds to our quality of life.

And I have learned of common themes that can be expressed in many different ways. Themes of family and community, themes of hope and courage, themes of caring and compassion, themes of learning and understanding.

I look forward to the beautiful ways in which tonight’s performers express the messages of Diwali. And I look forward to sharing this celebration with all of you, friends old and new.

Thank you to the Hindu Society of Manitoba and all the organizers, volunteers and performers who have worked so hard behind the scenes to create what I know will be a spectacular and memorable evening for us all.

Thank you, merci, meegwich, shalom and Happy Diwali.