Manitoba’s ethnic diversity and history is often talked about but it came alive this past long weekend throughout the province.
You didn’t have to look much further than Steinbach to see the celebration of both the past and the future. The pioneers of our region were celebrated during Pioneer Days at the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum as the region’s cultural history was relived. At the Pioneer Days Parade, where thousands again lined the main street of Steinbach, the present day diversity of the City and southeast region were again highlighted.
Other parts of Manitoba were celebrating cultural events as well. In Gimili, the Icelandic Festival was held as it has been in that community since 1932. Thousands came to honour and to recognize the province’s Icelandic culture. On the other side of Manitoba, the 50th anniversary of Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival was being held in Dauphin. Manitoba and Canada are well known for the many citizens it has who have Ukrainian heritage and that was recognized in Dauphin throughout the festival.
This weekend also marked the beginning of another Folklorama in Winnipeg. For the next two weeks some 20,000 volunteers will ensure that pavilions across our province’s capital will feature the culture and history of countries from around the world. Folklorama will not only entertain and inspire Manitobans, it attracts visitors from across North America to the longest-running and largest multicultural festival in the world.
The weekend was truly Manitoban as across the province celebrations were held that highlighted our provinces culture and history. And it was made extra special because it was also the first time that Terry Fox Day was officially recognized. The August long weekend holiday was officially changed to be called Terry Fox Day through provincial legislation that was unanimously supported by all political parties earlier this year.
Fox, who was born in Winnipeg, is one of Canada’s greatest heroes. His Marathon of Hope lasted 143 days and 5,373 kilometers and was ended on September 1, 1980 when his cancer returned. It would ultimately take his life. But the legacy of Terry Fox never stopped and has only grown over the years since his death in which hundreds of millions of dollars have been raised to battle cancer. He is truly one of the greatest Canadians and it is fitting to have a day dedicated to his honour.
From the celebration of pioneers in Steinbach, to the cultural festivals in Gimili, Dauphin and across Winnipeg, the past weekend put on display the great diversity and history of our province. That was only made more meaningful with the first Terry Fox Day being recognized as part of the weekend as well. It helped put an exclamation mark on the many things we have to be proud of as Manitobans.