Two Parkland residents have been honoured for their commitment to the preservation and promotion of local history and heritage.

Edward Stozek of Dauphin and Josephine “Jo” Bunka of Winnipegosis were both recipients of the The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Historical Preservation and Promotion, during a ceremony at Government House, last week.

The award, initiated in 2011, is presented in consultation with the Manitoba Historical Society (MHS) to people who have rendered prolonged, meritorious service in the preservation and promotion of Manitoba’s history and heritage.

The awards are presented annually in a ceremony at Government House around Manitoba Day in May.

“The individuals selected to receive awards this year represent the many dedicated individuals throughout Manitoba who take such care in preserving and promoting this province’s rich and vibrant history,” Lt.-Gov. Janice C. Filmon said. “Whether through stewardship of the province’s historic buildings, museums and archives, the writing of books or creating programs to engage and inspire future historians, these outstanding Manitobans care deeply about the communities in which they live. It is a pleasure to recognize their efforts and achievements.”

A retired high school history teacher turned newspaper columnist, musician, and filmmaker, Stozek is active in promoting local history in the region. Stozek has authored three books to his credit including The Sawmill Boys, P.O.W.’s and Conscientious Objectors: Stories from the Parkland as well as A Slice Of The Parkland and Triumph And Tragedy From The Heart Of Manitoba. For more than a decade, Stozek has also contributed a biweekly column to the Dauphin Herald, “A Slice of the Parkland”, which earned him the Wes Rowson Memorial Award as Best Columnist from the Manitoba Community Newspaper Association.

Stozek has also produced four documentary films for MTS Television’s “Stories From Home”, serving as writer and narrator, on subjects ranging from German POWs in Riding Mountain National Park to Ukrainian settlers around Olha, Man. His films have been screened at Dauphin Culture Days, Dauphin’s Countryfest, Riding Mountain Film Festival and The Bend Theatre at Strathclair, Man. In addition, Stozek writes and performs original songs about Manitoba history at schools and public events, and is an active board member with Fort Dauphin Museum.

“I was really excited to have gotten the award. It was kind of a surprise,” Stozek said, adding he does not know who nominated him for the honour. “I feel honoured that I have received the award. All of the years of researching and doing the documentaries for the love of preserving the past.”

For Stozek, the ceremony, which included the presentation of the award and a luncheon, in the historic setting of Government House, was a highlight.

“It was just an amazing evening for me anyways because of the formalities and the governor’s house is sort of steeped in history, too,” he said, adding he was able to share the occasion with six guests. “I was kind of in awe of the building itself inside with all of the paintings and the tapestries. It was a really exciting evening. The Lieutenant Governor, she was a very hospitable host and very easy to talk to.”

Also a retired school teacher, Bunka is currently the curator and president of the Winnipegosis Historical Society (WHS) and has been a tireless volunteer for many years. Her museum duties are diverse, ranging from the organization of tours to the hiring of summer students to the acquisition of grants to managing the museum’s Facebook page and its weekly blog entries. An indication of her dedication to the north Parkland’s history, to better curate and care for the museum’s artifacts, Bunks received training from the Association of Manitoba Museums. Bunka also presently serves on that organization’s board as one of two Parkland regional councillors. The association has also recognized Bunka with two Awards of Excellence.

In addition to her duties with WHS, Bunka mentored a community group, which in 2015, compiled the history book More Reflections from Little Muddy Waters: A History of Winnipegosis. Right from the initial call from Filmon to the ceremony at Government House, Bunka has been overwhelmed and humbled by the award. It is an honour she believes belongs to the WHS as a whole.

“This award, though it came to me personally, I sincerely believe it belongs to the Winnipegosis Historical Society board,” Bunka said. “I have been with them since 1985 and working together we have been so fortunate. We have preserved two marvelous buildings that are now our museums, the CN Station and the Medd House.”

To be honoured for something she loves so much is almost surreal for Bunka.

“I am passionate about history and I have made it something that I have always been involved in. It comes from my own family. I grew up in a family that tells and retells its history and stories,” she said. “I know that I am passing it on to my children and grandchildren because it is part of me, wanting to preserve that history.”

And the Parkland has a rich history that is being preserved by dedicated individuals for the future, so people can get a real sense of where they come from, Bunka said.

“I look at what Ed has done and it is just marvelous. What a talent to be able to preserve the written stories. And what I am trying to do is also preserve the stories, but it is artifacts and photos and research papers and those types of documentation,” she said. “We have such a strong Indigenous story here and we are fortunate that we have been able to work together and preserve that story.”

Like it was for Stozek, Bunka found the ceremony at Government House a highlight of the whole experience.

“Seeing the Governor’s house, 1883 it was built. I wanted to explore every nook and cranny. I was so excited. It had a beautiful curved staircase. I knew I couldn’t go up it, but I was dying to,” Bunka said, adding she invited fellow WHS board members Loretta Dyck, Terry Wood and Ruth Wright to be part of the evening, along with colleagues from the Association of Manitoba Museums. “The ceremony was beautiful. Her Honour was so gracious. She made us feel at home in her home. She spoke from her heart and truly I felt she was honouring us in such a kind and thoughtful way. Having the president of the Manitoba Historical Society there, Gordon Gouldsborough there really added to the ceremony. I was just so overwhelmed.”

The Manitoba Historical Society (MHS) receives award nominations from the public and recommends up to three people to receive awards each year. Nominations are welcome at any time. This year, Elva Simundsson of Gimli was also honoured with an award.

Further details of the award program, along with a nomination form are available on the MHS website at www.mhs.mb.ca and can additionally be accessed through the website of the lieutenant-governor at www.manitobalg.ca.