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 As we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of York Boat Days, we are being reminded of many historical challenges and experiences of our people. They endured many struggles to make our lives easier today, and we are grateful for their many contributions. There is much history in our community that is fascinating and we encourage our young people to have an understanding of their history and background. It is our history that makes York Boat Days they way it is today. We are proud of our history when Norway House was the capital transportation center in Northern Manitoba, and today Norway House has again emerged to become a major center. The planning for York Boat Days involved many people from the community and those Norway House people living elsewhere contributed to the development that is one of the major attraction in Manitoba. We commend these people and we extend to them our sincere appreciation for their imagination, work, and contribution. Over the years, many other people have maintained the idea, scope and spirit of York Boat Days to continue to make improvements, and to endure that there exists an effective organization of people who work together to ensure its success from year to year. Our compliments and appreciation are extended to them. The spirit and intent of York Boat Days is for our people locally and regionally to gather together and celebrate our history through competitions and the stories of our Elders; that our Elders have the opportunity to visit and share their stories; that historical challenges, such as York Boat Races, be reenacted; that we welcome and show our hospitality to our relatives, friends, and other visitors from elsewhere; that our community spirit and nature be known to all who visit us; that by visiting one another, we will develop new friends and renew friendships; and that through competitions, we will develop new strngths in honour, respect, fairness, and forgiveness. Maintaining and protecting our Treaties is essential, and this is why we must continue to Honour our treaties, at least on an annual basis, during our Treaty & York Boat Days. Our Elders tell us that our Treaties are sacred and the gathering of Elders with gifts that are significant to the Treaties. It gives our Elders the opportunity to visit and be together, and to thank them with other gifts for their guidance, wisdome, and by being there for us in many ways, but mostly in maintaining and protecting our Treaties all these years. We are proud of our community and people, and we are grateful that much has happened to make our community a better place. We are grateful that we are able to celebrate thirty (30) years of York Boat Days. We thank our many sponsors to make our festivities possible. We welcome our many special guests and visitors to our community, and we trust that you will enjoy your stay. We ask our people to do what they can to make your stay as comfortable as possible. We ask that your celebrations be moderate and be cautious in whatever you do to avoid unnecessary problems, mishaps, and tragedies. Enjoy your stay and for everyone, enjoy the celebrations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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