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