Latest news with #GinetteLavack
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Act of remembrance': Residential school site in Manitoba receives new plaques commemorating historical significance
Three new plaques sharing the historical significance of the former Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School are seen in Portage la Prairie on Aug. 14, 2025. (Glenn Pismenny/CTV News Winnipeg) The federal government and Long Plain First Nation recognized the historical significance of a former residential school in Portage la Prairie. Saint Boniface-Saint Vital MP Ginette Lavack joined Long Plain leaders and residential school survivors at the Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School on Thursday. Three new plaques were unveiled by Parks Canada, sharing the historical significance of the building. 'We recognize this site as a place of national historic significance,' Lavack said. 'This commemoration is one step in our collective responsibility to educate all Canadians about the Indian residential school system, its devastating consequences, and the importance of remembering this history so that it is never repeated.' 'Commemoration is often not a celebration. It's an act of remembrance and an opportunity to reflect on the full scope of Canada's history, including moments that are painful, complex or difficult to confront.' Portage residential school The exterior of the Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School, now the National Residential School Museum of Canada, is seen on Aug. 14, 2025. (Glenn Pismenny/CTV News Winnipeg) The school was built in 1915. It was part of the residential school system which removed Indigenous children from their families and communities, denying them their traditions, language and culture. The school closed in 1975, and is now home to the National Residential School Museum of Canada. 'Our museum is physically located in one of Canada's last remaining residential school buildings. It stands as a testament to our past and bears witness to the history and legacy of the residential school system,' said Lorraine Daniels the museum's executive director and a residential school survivor. 'It's now a National Historic Site. It serves as a powerful, immersive memorial that honors those who endured the resident to school system, safeguarding their stories, supporting survivors and their communities, and educating visitors on the impacts of the residential schools.'
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
50 years after it closed, the Government of Canada and Long Plain First Nation honour the national historic significance of the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School
This commemoration is an important part of the Government of Canada's response to Call to Action 79 in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report. PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MB, Aug. 14, 2025 /CNW/ - The Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School was part of a system of residential schools for Indigenous children officially established by the federal government in the 19 th and 20 th centuries. Born of colonial policies in Canadian history, this system removed Indigenous children from their families and communities, not only denying them their traditions, language and culture, but also exposing children to grievous harm and even death. The residential school system is a tragedy that has adversely affected generations of Indigenous people and the Government of Canada is committed to reconciliation and renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples, based on a recognition of rights, respect, collaboration, and partnership. Today, Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. Boniface—St. Vital, Manitoba, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, and Minister responsible for Official Languages, and Long Plain First Nation commemorated the national historic significance of the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School with a special ceremony to unveil three plaques at the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada. Built in 1914-1915, the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School is located on Keeshkeemaquah Reserve, part of the reserve lands of Long Plain First Nation. This building was nominated for designation by Long Plain First Nation who worked collaboratively with Parks Canada to identify the historic values of this Former residential school. This large, three-storey brick building is a rare surviving example of residential schools that were established across Canada. The school closed in 1975, and six years later, the building and its surrounding lands were transferred to Long Plain First Nation to fulfill part of their treaty land entitlement. Since that time, the building has been given new meaning by the community as a site of commemoration and resilience that keeps the legacy of the residential school era alive and educates the public. The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant persons, places, and events that shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians and youth connect with their past. The designation process under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,270 designations have been made nationwide. Quotes "Fifty years ago, the Portage la Prairie Residential School closed its doors, ending a painful chapter in our shared history. Yet, the harm caused by the residential school system is still felt today by families in Portage la Prairie and in communities across Canada. As we mark this anniversary, we honour the strength and resilience of Survivors, mourn those who never came home, and recommit ourselves to continuing the journey toward Truth and Reconciliation together." The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations "Today, we take time to acknowledge the painful legacy of the Former Portage La Prairie Residential School and the harmful and lasting impact that this institution, and many others like it under the residential school system, had on generations of First Nations, Inuit and Métis families and communities. We hope this commemoration allows Canadians to reflect on this tragic history, acknowledge the past, honour missing children and recognize the extraordinary strength and resilience of the survivors and all Indigenous peoples. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the voices of Indigenous peoples are heard, and that this history is never forgotten." Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. Boniface—St. Vital, Manitoba "Today, we pay tribute to Indigenous residential school survivors of the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School that operated from 1915 - 1975. The plaques are symbols of resilience, strength and a place where stories are embedded in truth and the spirits honored. These memorials acknowledge their legacy of pain and injustices endured with courage and dignity. Their lives matter. Their voices matter. Their healing matters. We are still here." Lorraine Daniels, Second generation survivor Executive Director National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada Inc. Quick Facts Children who were sent to the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School came from many First Nations and other Indigenous communities within Manitoba and elsewhere. There, they faced severe discipline and abuse, harsh labour, emotional neglect, the attempted suppression of their language and cultures, and isolation from their families and communities. The Former Portage La Prairie Residential School now houses the National Indigenous Residential School Museum which was created as "a place where people can learn, share, heal and move forward with a greater understanding of the forces that shaped and forever changed multiple generations of First Nations people." Parks Canada and Long Plain First Nation worked collaboratively to identify the historic values of this former residential school, and the report on the building prepared for the Historic Sites and Monuments Board was co-authored by members of the First Nation and Parks Canada. The plaques are written in Anishinaabemowin, Anishinaabemowin syllabics, Cree, Cree syllabics, Dakota, English and French. Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister responsible for Parks Canada regarding the national historic significance of persons, places, and events that have marked history in Canada. Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that subjects of national historic significance are recognised, and these important stories are shared with Canadians. The vast majority of nominations brought forward for the consideration of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada originate from members of the public. To nominate a person, place or historical event in your community, please visit the Parks Canada website for more information: Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Parks Canada Long Plain First Nation National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada Framework for History and Commemoration SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - The Government of Canada and Long Plain First Nation recognize the national historic significance of the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School/ Français
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MB, Aug. 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. Boniface—St. Vital, Manitoba, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, and Minister responsible for Official Languages, along with Long Plain First Nation, will participate in a Parks Canada and Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque unveiling ceremony to commemorate the historic significance of the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School. Built in 1914-1915, the former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School functioned within the residential school system whereby the federal government and certain churches and religious organizations worked together to assimilate Indigenous children as part of a broad set of efforts to destroy Indigenous cultures and identities and suppress Indigenous histories. The building has been given new meaning by the community as a site of commemoration and resilience that keeps the legacy of the residential school era alive and educates the public. The details are as follows: SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Media Advisory - The Government of Canada and Long Plain First Nation recognize the national historic significance of the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School Français
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MB, Aug. 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. Boniface—St. Vital, Manitoba, and the Honourable Kevin Lamoureux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North, Manitoba, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, and Minister responsible for Official Languages, along with Long Plain First Nation, will participate in a Parks Canada and Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque unveiling ceremony to commemorate the historic significance of the Former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School. Built in 1914-1915, the former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School functioned within the residential school system whereby the federal government and certain churches and religious organizations worked together to assimilate Indigenous children as part of a broad set of efforts to destroy Indigenous cultures and identities and suppress Indigenous histories. The building has been given new meaning by the community as a site of commemoration and resilience that keeps the legacy of the residential school era alive and educates the public. The details are as follows: SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)
CBC
13-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Liberals poised to nominate former FMCC, Festival du Voyageur director in Saint Boniface-Saint Vital
The Liberal Party of Canada is poised to name the former director of the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre as the party's candidate in the Winnipeg riding of Saint Boniface-Saint Vital for the next federal election. Ginette Lavack served as the director of the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre from 2017 until her resignation this week. She previously ran Festival du Voyageur. Lavack was the only person to seek the party's nomination in Saint Boniface-Saint Vital before the nominations closed, riding association chair Theodore Mariash said Thursday. The federal party has yet to make her candidacy official. A formal announcement is expected during Festival du Voyageur, which begins this weekend. Approximately 12 per cent of the population in the riding listed French as its mother tongue during the 2016 subcensus, according to Statistics Canada. Approximately 22 per cent of the riding spoke French and identified ethnically as French in the same survey. The riding is currently represented by Liberal MP Dan Vandal, who is not seeking re-election. A general election must be held in Canada this year and may take place as soon as this spring. Since its formation in 1925, what is now called Saint Boniface-Saint Vital has only been represented by MPs from the Liberal Party and conservative parties. The Liberals have won 27 of 32 elections over the past century. The Conservative Party of Canada has yet to select a candidate in the riding for the upcoming election. The party has not responded to queries about the timeline for its nominations. The New Democratic Party has selected Thomas Linner, who served as a spokesperson for the Manitoba Health Coalition during the COVID-19 pandemic, as its candidate in Saint Boniface-Saint Vital.
