Mr. Speaker, I am excited to return to Saint Boniface this afternoon for the start of our world-class winter celebration called Festival du Voyageur.
This 10-day Métis and Franco-Manitoban event celebrates the joie de vivre of the voyageur and fur trade era. The Festival du Voyageur was founded in 1969 by a group of entrepreneurs from Saint Boniface and has become one of the premier annual celebrations in my home province of Manitoba.
People from around the world come to experience the Métis and Franco-Manitoban history, culture and dance.
The festival includes snow sculptures, delicious French-Canadian food and Métis games. As a Métis woman, I am very proud to celebrate our roots along with the rest of the country. I invite everyone to put on a colourful sash and join me for a trip to the past, to discover the world of the voyageurs and the Métis fur trade.
I would like to send a huge thanks to the organizers, volunteers and participants.
Hey Ho! Meegwetch!