Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
ROYAL LIFESAVING SOCIETY RESCUE AND COMMONWEALTH HONOUR AWARDS
Government House
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
(please check against delivery)
Welcome to Government House and to what is a celebration of bravery and dedication to others.
As Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, I acknowledge that we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba 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; that Manitoba is located on the homeland of the Red River Métis; and 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.
Across our province, Manitobans enjoy something that much of the world would envy: access to abundant, clean, fresh water.
While that water is a great blessing and an important asset to our well-being, it can also be a source of great danger.
And so the work of the Royal Lifesaving Society in furthering lifesaving education and water safety is especially important to Manitobans. And it is never more important than in the height of summer – the season with a disproportionate number of the drowning deaths in our province.
I can think of no better way of celebrating National Drowning Prevention Week – occurring this week across Canada – than honouring Manitobans who have participated in water rescues and rescue attempts.
Each year, these awards recognize quick thinking, courage and the commitment to help others in need.
Each rescue or rescue attempt is different. They may occur at lakes, rivers or swimming pools. They may involve children or adults; swimmers overwhelmed in the water or boaters who have capsized; falls through winter ice or slips from the water’s edge or vehicles leaving the road and landing in water.
Sometimes the rescuers are experienced professionals with lifesaving training. Often they are bystanders who act using their best judgement in the moment.
What they all have in common is that the rescuers are people who have been willing to step forward in the face of urgent need and uncertainty.
Each of today’s award recipients got involved – when it might have been easy to let somebody else take on the challenge.
Each of them chose action and compassion when another person needed them.
Their service to others – along with the service of Lifesaving Society volunteers who focus on drowning prevention – reverberates beyond the individual moment of public service and dedication.
To all of today’s honorees, thank you. By committing yourselves to save lives or prevent drowning dangers, you create waves of caring that ripple across the countless water bodies of Manitoba. And to all those who support the Royal Lifesaving Society, thank you for your work to make our province safe and healthy.
Thank you. Merci. Meegwich. Shalom.