Statement from Premier Wab Kinew and Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Glen Simard on Manitoba Day

Each year on May 12, the Manitobans come together on Manitoba Day to celebrate the founding of our province and the progress we have made together.

Today, we remember our rich history, as the only province brought into Confederation by an Indigenous nation, led by our first premier, Louis Riel. We also reflect on the distance we have travelled together, in reconciliation, in welcoming newcomers and in writing a new shared future as one people.

We are proud to be a province where French is recognized as an official language and that is home to a vibrant community of French speakers.

On behalf of our government, we join Manitobans from all walks of life in every part of our province to remember, reflect and celebrate together, as one Manitoba.

Opportunities to celebrate Manitoba Day include:

• A colouring page of the Manitoba flag is posted on the provincial website for families to print, colour and post in their windows or elsewhere. Find the colouring page at: www.gov.mb.ca/chc/_assets/docs/ourdept/manitoba_day_2020_colouring_book_en.pdf. Share a photo of you, your family and your coloured flag on social media using #ManitobaDay.
• Learn more about Manitoba Day and Métis heritage at www.mmf.mb.ca/metis-minute/manitoba-day.
• View newly digitized films from the Manitoba Archives holdings. The films illustrate a range of events, activities and iconic sites throughout Manitoba and beyond including a film about the 1926 opening of the downtown Winnipeg Hudson’s Bay store, a 1959 film about a public health issue in the province and a 1968 film about Manitoba in the winter. Visit: www.gov.mb.ca/chc/archives/exhibits/streaming_films.html.
• In honour of Manitoba Day, the Manitoba Archaeological Society is hosting a virtual question-and-answer session where experts will answer questions about Manitoba archaeology. For more details, visit https://manitobaarchaeologicalsociety.ca/node/501.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

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