A Night to Remember
2017 Gala Fundraiser
Children's Hospital Foundation
First MMHF Annual Manitoba Day Gala Fundraiser
"A Night to Remember"
The Manitoba Metis Heritage Fund (MMHF) in partnership with the Manitoba Metis Federation, hosted their first annual fundraising gala on May 12, 2017, A Night to Remember, in support of the Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital Foundation, at the Hotel Fort Garry in Winnipeg, MB. Hosted by MMHF Board Chair Minister Denise Thomas and Honorary Chair for the 2017 gala was Mr. H. Sanford Riley. The evening was co-emceed by Rachel Lagacé from CTV as well as Métis Elder Oliver Boulette.
Proceeds from the event went to the Children’s Hospital Foundation in support of the Translating Emergency Knowledge to Kids (TREKK) program. The TREKK program is a network of researchers, clinicians, partners, patients and families that share the common goal of improving emergency care for children. TREKK takes a “story telling” approach used by the Children’s Hospital while delivering care to children as they visit emergency rooms.
The theme for the evening was “A Night to Remember”. As you walked through to the main hall, volunteers were dressed in traditional Metis clothing—some carrying baskets and others playing familiar Metis fiddle music. The cocktail hour featured a traditional Metis kitchen with Metis games, storytelling, dancing and fiddle music. Guests also were able to dress in period costumes and have their photos taken in the Metis kitchen.
Entertainment throughout the evening was provided by the young fiddlers and Clint and Riley Dutiaume in the Metis Kitchen. William Prince entertained the audience in the grand ballroom over dinner.Elder George Fleury provided a blessing in Michif before everyone sat down for an amazing meal featuring a traditional Métis inspired menu, with items such as bison, wild rice, root vegetables, and saskatoon berries.
A live auction took place later on in the evening. Led by Mr. Les Kletke, the auction featured four spectacular prizes, which included: a custom tailor-made vest with Métis floral beadwork by world renowned Métis designer Jennine Krauchi; a day of golf and dinner for three with MMF President David Chartrand; an all-inclusive trip to Churchill, Manitoba, including two guided tours; as well as, a trip for two anywhere Air Canada flies in North America, including Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Keynote speakers for the evening included Dr. Darcy Beer and Dr. Jon McGavock. Dr. Beer talked about the TREKK program and its success in hospitals. Dr. McGavock spoke to his research on the importance of culture in the field of pediatrics and more specifically type 2 diabetes.
$50,000 raised to support emergency translation for kids
On July 6, 2017, the MMHF donated $50,000 to the Children’s Hospital Foundation in support of the Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) program, at the Children’s Hospital Research Centre.
“We are very grateful to the Manitoba Metis Heritage Fund for hosting the wonderful ‘A Night to Remember’ gala and contributing this generous donation in support of TREKK,” stated Lawrence Prout, President & CEO, Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. “Having a partnership like this one is imperative to helping doctors, nurses and allied professionals provide the best care for our kids across this country.”
“The majority of sick and injured children in Canada are managed within nursing stations or emergency departments that are not part of a children’s hospital,” stated Dr. Terry Klassen, CEO and Scientific Director, the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba and Network Director, TREKK. “Thanks to the Manitoba Metis Heritage Fund for supporting the delivery of the right resources and training for all children in emergency rooms across the country, no matter where they live – urban, rural, or remote. Because of this presentation today, there is a greater chance a child’s life will be saved.”
Denise Thomas, Chairperson for the MMHF, echoed Mr. Prout and Dr. Klassen, “Ensuring our Métis families have access to meaningful and appropriate materials when seeking emergency care for their children is important to Manitoba’s Métis government and the Manitoba Métis Community.”
The MMHF would like to thank the many individuals, volunteers, and sponsors who contributed to the gala’s success. These include Media Sponsors – CTV Bell Media and NCI Radio; Diamond Sponsors - Metis N4 Construction Inc. and Forbes Brothers Powerline Construction Ltd.; and Platinum Sponsor - the Manitoba Metis Federation. As the official charity of the MMF, the MMHF looks for opportunities to partner and invest in programs and services that directly impact Manitoba’s Métis Community and the province as a whole.
