Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
TREATY ONE LAND RECLAMATION CEREMONY – NAAWI-OODENA
500 Block of Kenaston Boulevard
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
(please check against delivery)
Fellow Manitobans, it’s an honour to join you for this historic occasion at this key milestone on a long journey.
It is my privilege to acknowledge that we are gathered here on Treaty One land and in the heartland of the Red River Metis. I acknowledge that the province we love and that I represent as Lieutenant Governor is the present-day home of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Dakota, Dene, Inuit and Red River Metis peoples.
We acknowledge northern Manitoba includes lands that were, and are, the ancestral lands of the Inuit.
Together, we strive to advance understanding, healing and reconciliation and work as partners for a better future.
Nothing better represents what is meant by moving forward in partnership than this exciting project, and the return of this land to the seven Treaty One First Nations, and shows us a way to work toward healing the rifts of our troubled history.
As a beautiful and diverse community development arises on this site, with learning and celebration spaces to bring the people of this city and province together, we believe that Naawi-Oodena will become a living embodiment of the spirit of reconciliation.
The journey to this moment has taken many years, and a growing number of people have come together along the way – the leaders and the members of the seven Treaty One First Nations, the architects and planners who have developed such beautiful plans, the Canada Lands Company, representatives of all levels of government and neighbours of this exciting development.
The vision of Naawi-Oodena – that of combining prosperity and partnership, identity and community, knowledge and learning, design and innovation and sustainability – offers us all a path forward for a better future.
In the years ahead, we’ll watch a community grow on this land, and people will live and learn, work and play right here.
To all those who have dreamed and worked to make this possible, congratulations. I look forward to watching your vision come to life.
Thank you. Merci. Meegwich.
