This past Tuesday, Manitoba celebrated its 156th birthday on what is officially known as Manitoba Day. While there are still many Manitobans who are unaware that May 12th is Manitoba Day, it is worth celebrating the anniversary of the day that our province officially entered the Confederation of Canada.

Every year the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum celebrates Manitoba Day (as it does Canada Day), with free admission and an opening ceremony which invites attendees to reflect on the many things we have to be grateful for in our province and our country. This year, that celebration was held on the Saturday prior to Manitoba Day to ensure as many Manitobans as possible could attend.

One of the traditions that I enjoy the most at this event is the singing of the Manitoba Song, written in 1970 for the province’s centennial year. This year, as in most years past, Steinbach’s own Michelle Sawatzky performed the song for those in attendance. Few Manitobans know of the song’s existence let alone the lyrics, but they include the phrase “Manitoba, home of the blessed,” which feels true even on the coldest of winter days.

And while Manitoba is often mentioned for how cold our winters can be, what makes Manitoba special is how warm and friendly (it says so right on our licence plates), our people are. Whether you have lived in Manitoba your whole life or moved here from another province or country, I am sure you have a story to tell of the generous and kind spirit of your fellow Manitobans.

During my time in government in Manitoba, I had the great honour to represent our province at many national and international meetings. When those meetings occur, the name plate that is in front of you doesn’t show your personal name, it simply says “Manitoba”. When it is your turn to speak, the chair of the meeting recognizes you by saying “Manitoba.” It is at that time you realize very clearly that you are not simply representing your own perspective or even just that of the constituency you were elected to, but of Manitoba as a whole.

At these meetings, Minister’s and Premier’s are not seated by their province’s geographical position from east to west, but rather by the order in which they entered Confederation. For me that meant that I was usually seated between New Brunswick and British Columbia. Before the meetings began, the usual small talk involved hearing how nice the weather was in B.C. and how relaxed the living was on the east coast in New Brunswick. And then the discussion would turn to the connection these Minister’s had to Manitoba. Many knew of Steinbach for its generosity or had a story to tell about someone they knew from the region. And usually, the story involved how friendly our province is.

These meetings often reminded me not only how great our province is, but also the importance we play, being right in the middle, in helping to unite our country between the east and the west. Manitoba, while a relatively small province by population, has always punched above its weight at these meetings bringing forward important ideas and suggestions that have made Canada a better place and improved the lives of Canadians.

While we recognize Manitoba Day as a special day to celebrate, it is worth, every day, being grateful for the blessings we have as Manitobans.