Portage MMF local honours veterans with ‘Poppy Project’
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE — The Manitoba Metis Federation’s Portage Local has honoured seven Métis veterans and dozens of elders through a commemorative beading initiative called the “Poppy Project.”
Twenty participants took part in the project, which resulted in nearly 70 hand-beaded poppies.
The initiative included the creation of seven “Special Poppies,” which featured a Métis infinity symbol, beaded specifically for local veterans. An additional 42 poppies were created for elders as part of the project’s “Make a Poppy, Give a Poppy” theme.
The seven special poppies were presented to the veterans by MMF Minister Will Goodon during the local’s October meeting at the Herman Prior Activity Centre. The Veteran recipients were Len Asham, Joe McNabb, Cliff LaFreniere, Robert Hannah, Lawrence Sandney, Ray Bruneau and Donald Bruneau.
MMF President David Chartrand and MMF Minister of Veteran Affairs Shawn Nault were unable to attend but were presented with poppies from the project at the MMF’s recent National Annual General Assembly.
Jeannine Vouriot, the project lead, said the idea was inspired by her 11 years working at a long-term care centre for veterans in Calgary.
“I met many World War 1, World War 2 and Korean veterans and heard many of their stories,” Vouriot said. “They were so proud to come sit in the auditorium with their uniforms and medallions.”
She was also inspired by her uncle, Joseph Courchaine, a paratrooper with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry who was injured in the line of duty.
“He was a brave man who was injured in the course of his duties, this is why it is important for me to pay tribute to him and other veterans,” Vouriot said.
During the same meeting, Goodon also presented the Portage Local with a cheque. The funds were proceeds from the Portage Terrier jersey auction that followed the Louis Riel Day Classic hockey game last February.
» Portage Graphic