Volume 55 Number 11
Friday, March 20, 2015
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Hudson Bay Quest winner crosses finish line two hours ahead of competition BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
Martin Massicotte of TroisRivières, Quebec was the first across the finish line and the winner of the 2015 Hudson Bay Quest dog sled race from Gillam to Churchill, arriving at the end of the course in Manitoba’s northern port at 8:17 p.m. on March 14, a little over 32 hours after the start and more than two hours ahead of second-place finisher Denis Tremblay of St.-Michelsdes-Saints, Que. and third-place finisher Ryan Anderson of Ray, Minnesota, who was about 20 minutes behind Tremblay. Dan DiMuzio of Churchill was the top Manitoba racer, finishing ninth with a time of 44:25, one place ahead of race founder Dave Daley, also of Churchill, who crossed the finish line about three hours later. Eleven of the 13 racers who set out from Gillam completed the course, with Charlie Lundie of Churchill, a Port of Churchill employee, and Tom Terry of Sioux Lookout, Ontario the only two not to finish. OmniTRAX Canada, which owns and operates the Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill, supported Lundie’s participation in the race, which he won in 2011. “We wish Charlie all the best in this incredible race from Gillam to Churchill. He’s an experienced musher who is up for the challenge of racing more than 400 kilometres through Manitoba’s harsh northern terrain,” said OmniTRAX Canada president Merv Tweed in a March 13 press release. “Charlie has worked at the Port
of Churchill for years and we’re pleased to continue to support him and his dog team as they contribute to keeping the great Northern tradition of dog sled racing alive.” “I started with one dog and a love of the sport more than 10 years ago and have grown my team to 20 dogs,” said Lundie before the race. “I’m looking forward to a great race and really appreciate the support I’ve received from the Port and OmniTRAX Canada.” This is the fourth year that the race has been run between Gillam and Churchill. The race began in 2004 and for several years covered a route between Churchill and Arviat, Nunavut. The race is going the opposite way of last year’s, so it was Churchill’s chance to host the race-ending banquet when the official winners were announced. One of the attractions of the race for competitors, race chairman Bill Dingwall says, is the requirement that racers be self-sufficient and carry all the gear they need to ride out inclement weather, including a tent, a cooker and fuel as well as a SPOT check device so race officials and interested observers can track the racers’ progress. The course includes a mandatory sixhour stop in M’Clintock. The race is sponsored and supported by Calm Air, Via Rail and the Hudson Bay Railway, as well as by volunteers, particularly the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, who patrol the race route beginning the day before the race and continuing until all the racers are done. For more information on the results, check out the website at www.hbqrace.com or the Hudson Bay Quest Facebook page.
Nickel Belt News photo courtesy of Hudson Bay Quest Martin Massicotte of Trois-Rivières, Quebec was the first across the finish line and the winner of the 2015 Hudson Bay Quest dog sled race from Gillam to Churchill, arriving at the end of the course in Manitoba’s northern port at 8:17 p.m. on March 14.
Feds funding school construction and renovation in four northern First Nations BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
The federal government announced March 18 in Winnipeg that it was entering into a partnership and providing funding to construct or renovate schools in four Northern Manitoba First Nations. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt said the partnership with Bunibonibee
Cree Nation at Oxford House, God’s Lake First Nation, Manto Sipi Cree Nation and Wasagamack First Nation was a step towards long-term economic growth and prosperity for their members. “This partnership is a clear demonstration of that commitment and to helping to provide First Nation students with an environment where they can learn and acquire the skills needed to enter the
labour market and be full participants in a strong Canadian economy,” the minister said in a press release. The partnership will provide costs savings, the government says, by reducing costs for materials and shipping. This is the largest school infrastructure development plan undertaken by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
“It is definitely a good day when a project on paper becomes a reality,” said Bunibonibee Cree Nation Chief Irvin Sinclair. “It is a great investment for our future that will pay dividends for many years to come. This truly shows a great commitment in partnership.” For God’s Lake First Nation, the project will eventually allow some students to continue their education in the home
community instead of leaving to continue their education after completing Grade 9. “This is a good investment on the government and First Nation’s part and will improve everything all around,” said Chief Gilbert Andrews. Wasagamack First Nation currently has 610 students and only those from preschool to Grade 7 can be accommodated in the main school building
that was built in 1976. Students in Grade 8 and higher study in portable classrooms around the school. “Wasagamack is thrilled about this project that will provide high school students with the necessary space and programming they rightly deserve and need in order to complete their high school education on Wasagamack First Nation,” said Chief Sharon Mason.