The Manitoba Living History Society has been recognized and honoured in the Manitoba Legislature, in a Member’s statement read aloud to the Legislative Assembly by Erin Selby, MLA for Southdale.

The following is a quotation of the statement read to the Assembly:

Manitoba Legislative Assembly

Member’s Statement

Erin Selby, MLA Southdale

December 2, 2009

Manitoba Living History Society

Mr. Speaker, as members of this H0use know, Manitoba is blessed with a deeply interesting history.  The Manitoba Living History Society has been recreating and honouring our province’s history for well over two decades.  The MLHS is a community of men and women, young and old, who share a passion for Manitoba’s vibrant past.  Through costumes, crafts, research and gatherings, the personages, events and way of life of our ancestors are re-animated and, hopefully, better understood.

In just over two years we will mark the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Selkirk Settlers in the Red River Valley, an in anticipation of this milestone, two members of the MLHS, Barry and Judy McPherson, have co-authored a wonderful guide to the clothing that would have been worn by the settlers.  The People of Red River – A Costume Guide is both a collection of artistic depictions of the manner of dress specific to the early 19th century Red River Valley, skilfully rendered by Janet La France, a young member of the organization, and a collection of art contemporaneous of the era of the Selkirk Settlement.

This valuable project was nurtured in part by a grant from the Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism, and proceeds from the sales of the book will help the Manitoba Living History Society plan for 2012′s Selkirk Settlers festivities.

I would like to thank Judy and Barry McPherson for their book.  It constitutes both a fun exploration of an engaging chapter of Manitoba’s history and a bulwark against the forgetting of the unique roots of our contemporary culture.  On behalf of members of this House, I thank the Manitoba Living History Society for their contributions to our province, and we look forward to the bicentennial anniversary of the Selkirk expedition knowing that our history is in capable hands.  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Erin Selby

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Ms. Selby attended the MLHS Annual General Meeting on January 23, 2010 where she presented the MLHS with a framed version of the above statement.   As a surprise gesture, the MLHS presented Ms. Selby with a beaded shoulder bag, hand made by MLHS member Erle Einarsson.

Click on the photo below to begin the slideshow.

Below is a scan of the framed statment presented to the MLHS.

Click on the picture to see a larger sized version.