SEPTEMBER 6 & 7th, 2008, SETTLERS'
MONUMENT DEDICATION CEREMONIES IN WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA
We have been most
fortunate in securing the presences of Lord & Lady Selkirk of
Douglas as well as Scottish Parliament's Minister of the
Environment, Mr. Michael Russell for the this unprecedented event.
Winnipeg is the only
city in the world outside of HELMSDALE Scotland to have this superb
statue commemorating the Scottish Clearances & the ensuing global
Scottish diaspora.
This initiative is
the brain child of successful gold mining entrepreneur Dennis
MacLeod who originally haled from Helmsdale. Dennis involved
Winnipeg Scot & businessman John Webster Snr in both the Helmsdale
`Emigrant's Statue' & the corresponding `Settlers' Monument in
Winnipeg, where they both provided invaluable funding to underwrite
the respective initiatives.
Late last summer, the
Winnipeg Statue was installed & over the winter, a Core Committee
consisting of Robert H. Vandewater, John Webster Snr, & Rob R.
Bruce-Barron laid out concepts for official dedication ceremonies.
This spring, Chair
Rob Bruce-Barron & Northern Co-Chair Mark Ingebritgson (Churchill)
spent 30 days in Scotland; during which time they participated in
some 26 meetings.
After meetings with
Lord & Lady Selkirk of Douglas, First Minister of Scotland Hon. Alex
Salmond, & Hon. Michael Russell, MSP, we were fortunate in obtaining
agreement for Lord & Lady Selkirk & Michael Russell as official
representative of the Scottish Parliament, to attend our event.
There is also likelihood of an official party from the UK Embassy
in Washington DC, USA.
PROGRAM OF EVENTS:
September 5: A series
of official meetings & receptions by both Manitoba Lieutenant
Governor Hon. John Harvard & the Manitoba Provincial Government.
September 6: Morning
- meetings with Key Influencers from the Manitoban Commercial
Sector.
September 6: 1:30pm
- departure from Winnipeg City Hall to the accompaniment of 8 Pipe &
Drum Bands who will parade with dignitaries, aligned cultural
groups, members of the St. Andrew's Society of Winnipeg, & the
Winnipeg & Manitoba public.
- Upon
arrival at the `Settlers' Monument', Dedication Ceremonies will be
conducted.
- Following completion of the Dedication Ceremonies, the Parade
continues to the Alexander Docks where we will be welcomed in
traditional fashion by `The Voyageurs' who will travel by voyageur
canoe across the Historic Red River to greet us.
- `The Voyageurs'
will then escort us to the Scots Monument for short ceremonies of
recognition followed by a reciprocal visit for all to Fort
Gibraltar.
SEPTEMBER 6 - EVENING
BANQUET OF CELEBRATION AT THE WINNIPEG FAIRMONT HOTEL
-> This unique
evening includes a unique menu modified from am 1872 St. Andrew's
Society of Winnipeg Dinner.
-> The evening will
be lively, & vibrantly feature a unprecedented array of exciting
entertainment.
-> Keynote Speakers
are Lord Selkirk of Douglas & Hon. Michael Russell, Scottish
Parliament Minister of the Environment.
6:00pm - Cocktails
6:45pm - Attendees hosted to their tables
7.00pm - Dignitaries hosted to the Head Table & the evening
commences
10.00pm- Banquet concludes
TICKETS CAN BE PROCURED FROM LAURENCE BERTRAM @ 204) 795 2082, EMAIL
@
lbertram@shaw.ca
SEPTEMBER 7 - 10.30pm - Church Service @ Kildonan Community Church,
immediately adjacent to the original first church built by the
Selkirk Settlers; the historic cemetery is in the same vicinity.
~ All PEOPLE INTERESTED IN JOINING US ARE WELCOME ~
Yours aye,
Rob R. Bruce-Barron
Chair:
Bus: (204) 772 2548 AH: (204) 772 2176 |