Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CONGRESS
MANITOBA PROVINCIAL COUNCIL 150 AWARDS CEREMONY
Government House
Thursday, November 24, 2022
(please check against delivery)
Fellow Manitobans, dreamers and builders, mentors and motivators, members of a vibrant community, welcome to this celebration of leadership.
As a lifelong Manitoban, I have many reasons to love this province. It holds my most precious memories. It is the setting of two crucial steps toward equitably sharing this beautiful, vast and richly endowed country– the signing of Treaty One between Canada and representatives of the Anishinaabe and the actions of the Metis Nation to protect their homeland that led to the creation of this province.
It’s also the province where the notion of Canadian multiculturalism was born – through the hard work of generations of immigrants, their children and grandchildren who taught us to celebrate the diversity of languages, cultures and ideas that found a home here.
And at the forefront of that long process was the Ukrainian Canadian community.
Through their work, Ukrainian culture has come to be an integral part of Manitoban and Canadian culture.
That has taken many decades of work by individuals and organizations involved in education, the arts, community service, advocacy and other fields.
So it’s entirely fitting that part of the Manitoba 150 celebrations planned for 2020 was the recognition of 150 organizations and 150 individuals who have made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of the Ukrainian community.
The pandemic delay in holding this event means that recipients of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Manitoba Provincial Council 150 awards are being recognized at a time when all who love freedom and human dignity are united in support of the people of Ukraine as they resist a brutal invasion.
Like all Manitobans, I have watched the tragic events in Ukraine unfold, and the outpouring of support from our community has been remarkable. The bravery of the Ukrainian people and the doors and hearts that have opened across our province to those seeking support or shelter in this difficult time makes me even more proud to be a Manitoban.
All of Manitoba has benefited from the passion and drive of the men and women and organizations honoured with these awards. May these award recipients inspire other Canadians and others in the world-wide Ukrainian community dedicated to free, just and healthy societies.
Thank you, Merci, Meegwich.
