Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
RECEPTION FOR THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MARY SIMON
Government House
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
(please check delivery)
Your Excellencies, fellow Manitobans, welcome to Government House.
It is a privilege to welcome Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General, the Right Honourable Mary Simon, to this historic residence in the heart of Treaty One territory and the homeland of the Red River Metis.
Your Excellency, welcome to the ancestral and present-day home of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Red River Metis, Dakota, Dene and Inuit peoples – and to Canada’s Keystone Province.
Together, we are working to hear truths, and to advance understanding, opportunity and healing for all.
Manitoba has had a long history of connecting peoples and cultures – in our role as Canada’s traditional east-west crossroads, in the Indigenous, Francophone and Anglophone relationships of our 18th and 19th century roots, and in the connection to Nunavut made possible by the prairies’ only seaport.
From the late 19th century to the present day, that tradition of bringing cultures together has grown as peoples from around the world have made a home in Manitoba.
It’s an exciting time for a visit.
In Manitoba today you can see the work of reconciliation carried on throughout our province, in partnerships for new cultural, educational and economic development initiatives led by Indigenous organizations all across the province.
You are also visiting at a time when Manitoba is providing a safe haven for thousands of Ukrainians who have fled war and bombardment in their home nation.
This is not the first time a conflict abroad has brought people to our province. We like to say that we are the province that helped establish the Canadian vision of diversity and multiculturalism.
Like other Canadians, Manitobans are especially focused on creating opportunities for young people.
We need to ensure that they have the educational, cultural and economic opportunities to live healthy, satisfying lives, and we also need to ensure that the planet they live in is healthy and sustainable.
And so, Manitobans are proud that their province is a centre of research and advocacy for protection of our water and climate – including, of course the climate of the north.
As we enter a period of commemorations – National Indigenous Peoples Day, Canada Day, Manitoba Day – those themes of uniting peoples and finding common ground provide us with reasons to come together and celebrate. In cities and towns, rural areas and first nations, Manitobans are learning from the past and working for a better future.
O we are pleased to greet you, on your first official visit, and take inspiration and pride and from your life of accomplishments and dedication to public service.
Thank you. Merci. Meegwich.
