New ferry honours man who dreamed of becoming a captain

Honouring a ferry operator Beth Macdonell on a Manitoba man that worked out of Norway House for decades as a ferry operator is being honoured for his hard work.

A new ferry is honouring a man who spent his career on Manitoba’s lakes and rivers.

Gilbert Laugher worked out of Norway House for decades as a ferry operator, and the province is replacing the ferry he operated with a new one to remember him.

The new $3.1 million Cable Ferry Gilbert Laugher was made in Selkirk and will make its way to Norway House this summer.

Gilbert Laugher died in 2008. He was a man who lived and breathed for his work, hopping on board SS Kenora to work when he was just 14 years old.

Laugher dreamed of becoming captain, and his family wishes he could witness the honour.

“I was excited. I was emotional. I was crying. I was happy," said his daughter Lyette Laugher.

Lyette said to be a captain in the 1940s, her father was advised give up his Cree status, and he did. Just one month later, an eye injury on the job prevented him from gaining his captain's certificate.

"My dad was living proof that we can rise above. You know I acknowledge the things that happen to First Nations people, but my dad always strived for the best,” she added.

In his career, Gilbert Laugher crossed Lake Winnipeg 1,380 times, a journey the new ferry will make before going into service.

The ferry will cross Lake Winnipeg one more time, travel up the Nelson River to Norway House, and operate as the vital link connecting the road from the community to Jenpeg and Thompson.

Lyette said her father got his status back in 1985.

She explained the new ferry's name doesn't take away the pain, but it is a bittersweet ending to the injustice her father faced.

"He would have thought it was too much, he never liked the limelight, but he would have been humbled by this experience,” she said

The province said the new ferry holds up to 16 vehicles and is long enough to accommodate two semi-trailers. The ferry will be in service this fall.