03/06/2024

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Metis, Winnipeg MB – Three bills brought forward by NDP MLA for Assiniboia, Nellie Kennedy, MLA for Kirkfield Park, Logan Oxenham (he/him), and MLA for Fort Richmond, Jennifer Chen, have received Royal Assent, creating dates of recognition that celebrate Muslim, Two-Spirit and Transgender and Asian Canadians in Manitoba. 

MLA Kennedy, Manitoba’s first Muslim woman MLA, brought forward Bill 207, “The Islamic Heritage Month Act”, recognizing October as a time to celebrate Muslim Manitobans. “Islamic Heritage Month gives us the amazing opportunity to celebrate Muslims who have called our province home for generations,” she said. “It will also allow us to celebrate and formally recognize the integral role Muslims have played in building our province’s culture, history and economy.” 

MLA Oxenham (he/him) brought forward Bill 208, “The Two-Spirit and Transgender Day of Visibility Act”, recognizing March 31st as a day to celebrate the existence of Two-Spirit and Transgender Manitobans. “I’m proud to stand by a government that unequivocally supports Transgender and Two-Spirit youth,” he said. “This day means life, hope, possibilities and freedom for two-spirited, transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse communities, who all deserve love, respect and joy.” 

MLA Chen brought forward Bill 212, “The Asian Heritage Month Act”, recognizing May as a month to celebrate Asian Canadians in Manitobans. “As the first Chinese-Canadian MLA in our province, I’m proud that our government reflects people from all walks of life across Manitoba,” she said. “Asian communities have called our province home for generations, and this month will be an opportunity for every Manitoban to learn about the significant contributions Asians have made in our culture and the economy.”