The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Flin Flon MLA Clarence Pettersen delivered the following member's statement in the legislature last week: Mr. Speaker, 100 years ago, the provincial borders were extended to include the northern half of this province. What began as a geographically very small province in 1870 was enlarged to its present northern borders along the 60th parallel and the northeastern borders along Hudson Bay. This process, completed in 1912, enabled the original 'postage stamp' province to become the 'keystone' province. Mr. Speaker, the north of this province is vast; a region where black spruce and jack pine populate one of the last intact regions of boreal forest left on earth, interspersed by an unimaginably large network of powerful rivers and lakes that scatter the Canadian Shield. This is a beautiful and awe-inspiring land, a land I am proud to call home. And while this year northern Manitobans are celebrating the past 100 years, I'd like to speak to the future of the north, a place that holds untold potential for the future of Manitoba itself. Northern Manitoba is rich in resources: forests, wildlife, hydroelectricity, fishing, and mining are complimented by growing tourism and trade industries. Representing over 80 per cent of the province's total area, the north is key to Manitoba's future. See 'Histo...' on pg. 14 Continued from pg. 6 The history of northern Manitoba has not always been an equal partnership between the south and the north. First Nations and M_tis people were often left out of their share of the wealth that the north has to offer. Mr. Speaker, this government has recognized this historical wrong and has actively incorporated First Nations and M_tis partners into northern development strategies. I am privileged to represent many very different communities _ from mining and resource towns such as Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids, Cranberry Portage and Sherridon, to the Cree communities and First Nations of Granville Lake, Mathias Colomb First Nation, OPCN at South Indian Lake, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation at Nelson House, Barren Lands First Nation at Brochet and the Dene First Nations of Northlands at Lac Brochet and the Sayisi Dene at Tadoule Lake. All of these communities are unique and have challenges and opportunities for growth and development. I hope all members will join me in celebrating 100 years of Manitoba's north, and in recognizing its prosperous future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
