Nordal is honoured for contributions to preservation of history
Last week, Shaylene Nordal, general manager of the Marine Museum of Manitoba in Selkirk, was recognized in the Manitoba Legislature by our local representative, MLA Richard Perchotte for her hard work preserving our history.
In Perchotte’s speech, he acknowledged Nordal’s work creating the hands-on experience that is visiting the Marine Museum of Manitoba. Patrons have the opportunity to step back in time as they board, explore and learn the nautical history of the Red River and Lake Winnipeg.
He commended Nordal’s dedication, vision, unbridled passion and hard work preserving history for all future generations to enjoy.
This year was a fitting time to acknowledge Nordal and the museum as she is celebrating her 30th anniversary working for the Marine Museum of Manitoba. The museum itself is also celebrating a milestone as it is its 50th anniversary in our community.
“It was amazing. It was something not expected. I don’t work to be recognized in any way. And, it was a very nice honour to be recognized,” said Nordal.
She said that when she heard from Perchotte that he wanted to honour her in this way it was surreal.
“Thirty years ago, going into university, taking my education degree, I would not have expected to fall in love with the museum the way I did. I started off as a summer student, working my way through university, and just fell in love with the place. I’ve been asked many times, what is your connection? Is there a connection to the ships or the museum itself? And I’m like, ‘No, just passionate for history,’ and something draws me to the Marine Museum,” said Nordal.
She said when working as a student at the museum initially it was a fun exciting place where she was able to meet people. She started out as a tour guide and loved to be able to give tours.
After a couple of years as a tour guide, she was offered the general manager position and embraced the occasion.
“I couldn’t believe it. I absolutely wanted to take on the challenge and the opportunity of doing that. Our displays have totally changed in the last 30 years. They’re more interactive and more inviting for people to come and see. We’ve been through floods and persevered through that, and we’re able to open our doors again when it was kind of bleak, and everything just looked horrible under all the sand and silt and mud after the flood. We were able to come back from that. The board is strong as ever, and we’ve moved from worrying about where we would be year to year and whether we could open our doors the next year or not, to seeing a bright future and having a great vision,” said Nordal.
She says that one of the highlights of working at the museum is that she is able to connect with our community.
“I love what I do. I love connecting [with people] with all the new special events that we’re doing. Our Ghost Tours, our Keenora Traditional Dinner, and just seeing these events, start and be well received, they’re very successful. It just brings the community in more and in, in a different way than just coming in touring the ships,” said Nordal.
The Marine Museum of Manitoba is, of course, also a museum which means that preserving our local nautical history is a priority that Nordal is passionate about.
“Where else will you see ships in a prairie province? Lake Winnipeg and the Red River were a major part of the history of transportation of goods and services up to the northern communities that had no roads and planes to deliver all these items. The ships that are located here in Selkirk are part of Manitoba’s history, not just Selkirk’s. It’s a huge part of Selkirk’s [history] but for all of Manitoba, it’s history we don’t want to lose,” she said.
Perchotte was glad to be able to acknowledge Nordal’s effort and passion last week at a session of the Manitoba legislature.
“As an elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, I am permitted the unique opportunity to honour a person or organization in the Legislative Assembly House Chamber. I was extremely honoured to recognize Shaylene Nordal for all she has done for our community and the Marine Museum of Manitoba. Truly one of my unsung heroes, I wanted to give her the admiration and respect she has earned and deserves. She is now recorded into the Manitoba pages of history, how fitting for someone who works in preserving history,” he said.
Residents who are interested in checking out the museum should mark their calendars for May 18 which is the first day of the summer season that the Marine Museum of Manitoba is open to visitors.
As this is a notable anniversary for the museum residents should also keep an eye on their website (https://marinemuseum.ca/) as well as Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/marinemuseumofmanitoba) to learn more about upcoming community fun.
