Manitoba celebrates 139th birthday

Manitoba is celebrating its 139th birthday Tuesdayby welcoming a number of new citizens, bestowing others with special honours, and celebrating with activities across the province.

"All Manitobans are encouraged to join in Manitoba Day events and help celebrate our wonderful heritage," said Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson. "Manitoba's cultural diversity is showcased in the province's signature museums, provincial heritage organizations, community museums and heritage organizations."

'All Manitobans are encouraged to join in Manitoba Day events and help celebrate our wonderful heritage.' Eric Robinson, culture, heritage, tourism and sport minister

Celebrate Manitoba Day pioneer style at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum in Austin, or take in the music of New Iceland in Gimli. On the plate in Winnipegosis is free Manitoba birthday cake, mini-flags and pins.

A proclamation declaring May 12 as Manitoba Day will be presented to the Mennonite Heritage Village, a signature museum and star attraction in Steinbach.

The village, which preserves and shares the Mennonite heritage of southern Manitoba, was chosen because May 18 is International Museum Day and its 2009 theme, Museums and Tourism, recognizes the vital role museums play in sustaining and promoting tourism, said Robinson.

The 2009 spring Citizenship Court in Winnipeg will welcome 32 new Canadian citizens while 12 others are being named members of the Order of Manitoba.

"Manitoba Day is a great time to welcome newcomers to our province," said Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan. "People from all over the world come here to enjoy the great quality of life, stable economic growth, many employment opportunities and the natural beauty of our province."

The six men and six women to be invested into the Order of Manitoba include:

• Abdo (Albert) El Tassi, leader in the Muslim community.
• Yhetta Mriam gold, advocate for seniors and the disabled.
• Kevin Kavanagh, business leader and philanthropist.
• Sylvia Kuzyk, broadcaster and arts supporter.
• Guy Maddin, filmmaker.
• Roland Mahe, French language promoter.
• Joseph Meconse, Dene elder and representative for aboriginal veterans.
• Sylvia Ostry, economist and first woman appointed as a federal deputy minister.
• Frank Plummer, international expert in infectious diseases.
• Corrine Scott, advocate for women in policing.
• Emoke Szathmary, president emeritus of the University of Manitoba.
• Josephine Wright, who has provided decades of community service through United Way.

The formal ceremony for those individuals will take place on July 15.