3rd Session, 43rd Legislature

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Bill 231

THE INDIGENOUS HERITAGE MONTH ACT (COMMEMORATION OF DAYS, WEEKS AND MONTHS ACT AMENDED)

(Assented to                                         )

HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

C.C.S.M. c. C150.5 amended

1   The Commemoration of Days, Weeks and Months Act is amended by this Act.

2   The following is added as a Schedule:

SCHEDULE
INDIGENOUS HERITAGE MONTH

WHEREAS Indigenous people had rich cultural practices, advanced systems of government and deep connections to the land long before contact with European explorers and settlers;

AND WHEREAS the Canadian government sought to forcibly assimilate Indigenous people through the residential school system, the Indian Act and other policies designed to eliminate Indigenous languages, extinguish Indigenous identities and suppress traditional cultural practices;

AND WHEREAS Indigenous people have maintained their languages, identities and cultural practices despite concerted efforts to eliminate them;

AND WHEREAS it is critically important for Indigenous youth to learn about their culture, traditions and languages and take pride in their unique Indigenous identities;

AND WHEREAS Indigenous Heritage Month will provide an opportunity for all Manitobans to learn about the heritage of Indigenous people so that they have a complete understanding of the true history of Canada;

THEREFORE the following is proclaimed throughout Manitoba:

Indigenous Heritage Month

1   In each year, the month of September is to be known as Indigenous Heritage Month.

Coming into force

3   This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.