The Province of Manitoba brushed the dust off of the first Mace ever used by the Provincial Government. 

They did that at the Legislature today to mark Manitoba Day, which took place this past Friday May 12, 2017. 

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Myrna Driedger and acting Sergent-at-Arms Ray Gislason carried the Mace down the southwest hall of the Legislative Building and into the chamber. 

According to a fact sheet provided by the Province, this old Mace used today was created when a soldier of the Wolseley Expedition carved it from the hub of a Red River cart wheel. The design included a rose, a thistle, a harp and a fleur-de-lys. 

March 15, 1871 was the first time this Mace was used at A.G.B. Bannatyne's house, which was the temporary home of the Manitoba Legislature. Fire destroyed the home but the Mace was recovered and preserved. It has been on display in the Speaker's office until today.

The Mace the government typically uses is five feet long, weighs more than 20 pounds and is made of gold-plated metals. It has been the Mace for Manitoba since the one used today was retired after 13 years of service in 1884.

The use of the Mace in parliament first became a tradition in the mid 14th century. It's original use was to maintain order in the chamber by the authority of the Speaker.