The third edition of the Wake the Giant Music Festival was held September 17, 2022 and is continuing to grow.
“ This year has been exciting. I’m excited about the artists which have been amazing but also such beautiful people. Neon Dreams was at the school yesterday working with the students doing a song writing workshop, really connecting with the students so well they ended up joining them
2000 over last year and last year was 1000 over the year before.”
A real challenge for all outdoors events can be the weather and this year wasn’t perfect for Wake the Giant. “ You can’t plan the weather. It was terrible for set up, absolutely brutal on Wednesday. It was more of a rush today but it makes us more thankful for the weather we do have today.” Chomut said.
Sol Mamakwa is the MPPfor the Ontario Keewatin riding and just reelected for a second term. Helives in Sioux Lookout
is a very positive vibe here,” Sol said.
“The organizers have good vision as to why they want to do to make students feel
event will get bigger and bigger. It is a big event for Canada and it is focused on Indigenous people. We want a better city,
for a tour around the city. They are really huge in South Africa spend a lot of time there,” said Greg Chomut, one of the organizers of Wake the Giant and teacher at DFC. “We were at about 5000 sold tickets mid afternoon and we have almost another 1000 tickets for sponsors or give always to students and youth. We are about
and Toronto.
“
Wake the Giant is an opportunity for the community of Thunder Bay to welcome students that are from fly in First Nations.
When you have to leave at 13,14,15,16 or 17 years old it’s hard. It’s a welcoming thing and music brings people together. It
welcome. The students leave their families, their ways of life like fishing and hunting.
It is important we welcome them and help them succeed in their lives and goals .This
province and country and that’s what it does. It is a path forward and move forward in a good way. There is always hope for change.”
It was great spending quite a bit of time recently at the CENCAN 2022 EXPO that took over most of the CLEgrounds.
I grew up in small mining towns and experienced the lifestyle firsthand. My father was from Southern Ontario and after WW II leaving the air force, he asked about good career options. Mining was suggested and after mining school my dad began his career as a mining engineer starting in BC, then to Lynn Lake, Manitoba, Malartic, Quebec and after getting married, to Atikokan and then Manitouwadge.
I’ll always remember growing up in the small mining towns where you knew everyone and life was quite simple.There were few shopping options unless you went to Thunder Bay or Sault Ste Marie. For example there wasn’t a local dentist but you had almost all you needed. We had a nice new rec centre, golf course that my dad founded, curling rink, ski hill and the great outdoors at everyone’s doorstep.
It was especially fun at CENCAN to talk to the founder of Manroc Developments, Don Simoneau, whose company now
employs over 250 and provides mining services on a wide geographic basis.They remain headquartered in Manitouwadge. Don showed his diamond drilling skills were still good at the age of 76 as you can see on our front cover!
CENCAN had over 300 exhibitors from across Canada and basically covered the entire CLE property inside and out with
their own buildings and several large tent structures including having events at the Cineplex theatre building. The mood was upbeat amoungst the people in attendance. The amount of jobs and economic activity represented by mining and forestry is impressive and really a large part of our economy in NWOntario. New projects are beginning or being studied so the future looks quite bright.
A common message I heard at the event was the need for more workers in the growing field.The pay is excellent and you can create a good life style for yourself and family. I know I enjoyed being part of a mining community, so checkout this option.
Text neck is a modern term coined by an American Chiropractor.It is a repetitive strain injury brought on by too much head and neck flexion (bending forward) while a person looks at their cell phone, tablet, or other hand held devices.Because most of the population now uses these devices daily for several hours, it is important that we all become aware of good postural habits. Having proper low back support while sitting and looking straight ahead to minimize the excessive forward head posture (anterior head carriage) is key.
Your head weighs approximately 12 pounds. Ideally, the head should balance on top of your neck in a direct vertical line through your shoulders, hips and feet. Muscles running along the back, front and sides of your
neck connect to your skull and help keep your head over-top of your shoulders. Tilting your head just 15 degrees forward increases the load on your neck to 27 pounds.Tilting your head 30 degrees increased the load to 40 pounds.To give an idea of that load, think of holding a 12 pound bowling ball up against your chest.Now hold it out six inches away, then twelve inches away.Very quickly you will become fatigued and you will start lowering your arms.Similarly, when you spend any length of time on your hand held device you will start to lower your arms.Your neck will also become fatigued from looking straight down so you roll your shoulders and slouch the rest of your spine.
Prolonged and excessive forward head tilting (anterior head carriage) has been shown to increase: headaches, back pain, spinal disc compression and herniation, gastrointestinal
problems, early onset arthritis and loss of lung volume and capacity.To minimize excessive neck load while using a mobile device, try putting the device on a stand closer to eye level and reduce prolonged time on the device.Some exercises that will help to counterbalance the text neck posture include any shoulder extension exercises.This would be any exercise that deploys standing straight and squeezing the shoulder blades together while breathing in and opens the chest.Remember to always be looking straight ahead and allow your palms to face forward. Pigeon neck exercise: sit up straight, pull your chin back into your neck and hold for ten seconds. Repeat 2-3 times. Another good exercise is the yoga move called cat-cow.In this exercise you are on your hands and knees and slowly arch your mid-back up like a mad cat and then arch it down into a swayback, like a cow.All of these exercises should be incorporated multiple times per day.They literally only take
1-2 minutes and can make a very positive impact to counterbalance text neck.
Research has shown that doing one minute of postural exercises ten times per day is significantly more effective than doing ten minutes of the same exercise once per day.
As with any unhealthy behaviour, first we must recognize it to be detrimental.Then we must take it seriously enough and be motivated enough to do something about it. As a healthcare practitioner who deals with this problem on a daily basis, it concerns me that without awareness and action, we are allowing our children to develop postures that will negatively impact both their shortand long-term health.
James DiGiuseppe is a local chiropractor with a busy family and wellness practice.For more health information or to contact Dr. DiGiuseppe visit:
www.portarthurchiropractic.com
Give thanks this Thanksgiving. Count your blessings the entire month.
October is a month of change. Summer passes to fall as sure as the leaves flutter down. We don't need Jon Snow to tell us that Winter is Coming.
But we have had enough of the blues. Time for our hearts to sing with joy (because yes even lawyers have hearts too).
What will carry YOU through this winter ahead, besides warm soup and woolly socks?
What blessings will you count?
Afavourite song?
Thoughts of family, perhaps the joy of a
shared meal, shared memories, shared laughter?
Are you blessed with good health, maybe due to our wonderful health care (no matter how much we love to complain about it)?
Is it hope and love?
Is it a small act of kindness shown to you by another? If so, pass it along.
Because giving thanks is not about really ourselves. Giving thanks is about appreci-
ating the kindness of others, the love we share, the hope we grow again, even if we suffer pain and sorrow.
What does this have to do with business?
Everything and nothing. Because businesses grow on the hopes of entrepreneurs; the love of customers; and the many kindnesses. It also has everything to do with community and sharing. We may look forward to warm soup and woolly socks, but what about those who are without?
It is easy to be complacent. Part of counting our blessings and giving thanks is to remember how much of our wealth, both spiritual and material, depends upon the generosity of others. But as we receive, we should also give as we best can.
Sometime this month take a step out your
comfort zone. Give the cost of a lottery ticket to a pan handler without judging how do we spend it. Attend a concert or support a street musician. Donate your time to a worthy cause.
Every small blessing matters. Giving is a blessing.
I hope to spend my day this Thanksgiving thinking about how rich I am. Not in money. Not in property. But rich in love, rich and family, rich in friends, rich in community.
From the Weilers Law families to yours, Happy Thanksgiving (and a safe and cavity free Halloween).
The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Fox to the Board of Directors.
“On behalf of the Board and staff I would like to welcome Michael Fox to the Thunder Bay CEDC, and look forward to working together for the benefit of our community," says Peter Marchi, Chair, Thunder Bay CEDC Board of Directors. “His vast experience and knowledge in Indigenous relations and fostering relationships between industry and Indigenous communities will be a strong asset to our organization. His presence will provide a new perspective to decisions and initiatives further supporting our work in developing Thunder Bay’s economy.”
Michael Fox is originally from Weenusk First Nation and is the President/CEO of Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE) – one of Canada’s leading national Indigenous firms specializing in community consultation, facilitation/negotiations,
capacity building, and social research. He brings a wealth of experience in structuring projects and financing for both industry and Indigenous clients.
Michael attended Lakehead University
obtaining an honours degree in Political Science with a focus on Aboriginal Law and Resource Development, anda MBA with a specialization in Social Enterprise.
He is a Certified Professional Facilitator, a certified Change Management Practitioner,
and a certified Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer. As a believer in higher education, Michael taught university courses at Ryerson University, University of Waterloo, and Lakehead University to share his professional experiences with the next generation of Indigenous business leaders. Through his dedications and hard work, Michael is currently a candidate for a doctorate degree in business administration.
Michael is also a strong believer in volunteer work and sits on a variety of Boards and Committees. Michael is a Ministerial appointed Board Member on the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Co-Chair of the Indigenous Affairs Committee for the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and the Co-Chair for the Jury Panel for the Progressive Aboriginal Relations program at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, where he was a board member for 6 years.
On September 17,2022 the new Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies retail building was officially opened. The new retail store allows for so many more products to be displayed.
There was a great spirit amoung the farm
people at this event!
The business started in 1952 as a cooperative of local farmers. There were a handful of members at the start when it was established to provide better purchasing power from suppliers. Instead of each farm buy-
ing individually, for example say fertilizer, they pool all of their needs together to get better deals. They saw a need here to service the local community. During Covid they never shut down as they were deemed an essential service.What happened was many people started coming out for our
lawn fertilizer and other garden supplies because it was hard to get in the city. The new customers loved it here and the next year they came back with their friends so it has grown.
You should take the short drive out Highway 61 to check out the new building!
Have you ever wondered what a hospice volunteer does?
As one of our grief clients puts it, “Hospice Northwest is like massage therapy for the heart!” Hospice volun-
support can be provided in a number of ways. HNWvolunteers complete a provincially accredited training program, delivered through a variety of formats including online training modules and group sessions. These informative classes help our trainees understand the many issues people face at the end of life.
Volunteers’time investment varies depending on the needs of the clients they are matched with and the availability of the volunteer. This could mean that a 30-minute telephone call is perfect for one client or an adventure to the local thrift store is the highlight of the week for another. HNWstaff work hard to ensure that the volunteers’interests and schedules match well with the clients’ needs.
ing in hobbies, reading together, going on excursions or enjoying pleasant conversations. Sometimes it can be just a simple gift of quiet presence at a dying person’s bedside.
Currently, Hospice Northwest has 89 active volunteers in Thunder Bay and region who have supported 563 clients so far this year alone.
You may be wondering, “Am I a good candidate for hospice training?”
Anyone who has a few extra hours a month to share and a desire to make a difference in the lives of those in need of compassion would make an excellent volunteer candidate. Our next training program starts in November and is self-
paced, with support from the volunteer coordinator. If you or someone you know is looking for a worthwhile volunteer opportunity with high impact potential, we would love to hear from you.
Visit our website to apply online: https://www.hospicenorthwest.ca/volunteer/volunteer-application-form/ or, email Melissa@Hospicenorthwest.caor call 807-626-5572 for more information.
teers provide compassionate support to people who are dying or grieving the loss of a loved one. Since we are a ‘hospice without walls’, this support can occur wherever the client resides, be it in personal homes, hospitals, long term care facilities or shelters for the vulnerably housed.
Our volunteers are truly present wherever and whenever they are needed most. Volunteer and client relationships are unique to the participants’needs, and
Hospice Northwest volunteers are also offered ongoing training opportunities so that they feel prepared and confident to provide support to clients along their grief, palliative or caregiver journeys. The people we support come from different parts of the world and various cultural backgrounds. Our clients range in age, from small children to seniors, and come from all walks of life and living situations. We work hard to maintain a level of inclusivity and cultural awareness. Hospice Northwest is proud to offer a Community Outreach Program which focuses on the palliative and grief journeys of our communities’vulnerably housed.
Some examples of the roles our Hospice volunteers can play include: going for walks with clients, taking clients to appointments, listening to music, engag-
Bay
Thunder Bay and area got to experience the natural resources industry close up and personal September 13-15,2022
I talked to Glenn Dredhart, organizer of the
CENCAN EXPO2022 at the CLE. What happens at the CENCAN event?
“ The people who buy products for their mining companies are on site. Many of the manufacturers who make those products are here. What happens is it is like going to a mall where everything is under one roof
at one given time and you can do the shopping that needs to get done. You only have to come to the CLEgrounds to do it.We plan on having this on an annual basis so fingers crossed we will be back in Thunder Bay to do it.
Why did you choose ThunderBay as the host forCENCAN?
“ It is needed here in Thunder Bay. The industry as everyone knows is looking for people to fill certain job positions. They are looking at trying to access 10,000 jobs for the next 3 to 5 years just in the mining industry alone.
Continued
Continued
That doesn’t include the construction or forest industry requirements.
looking for. The operations are looking to increase production in a sustainable manner, decrease their costs and have a longer
“ There are many stages to this event that people may not understand until they come
and see it. Once they see it they get a better grasp of how much work is put into it. As you can see from the grounds and all this equipment it is a lot of organizing, our staff is very busy. It doesn’t just take weeks or months it is nearly a year to prepare and do this event.”
Continued
“
NWOntario is fairly new to the mining game so this event introduces people to the industry to help them find out what is going on. We have conferences planned over the two days of the show, networking activities where people can shake their hands and see the products that they are
life of their mining operations so in the long hall it helps Thunder Bay and the surrounding communities.This is the place to be.We just finished an event like this in Timmins Ontario,The Canadian Mining Expo, in the spring. For the mines from Red Lake, for example, it is a 27 hour
drive to go to Timmins so we are trying to facilitate their needs by hosting this event.”
CENCAN looks like a massive event to organize.
Continued
How does it affect ThunderBay economically?
“We filled every motel or hotel, B& B and other lodging are basically booked for this event. All your flights coming in the city are booked and you can’t rent a vehicle in Thunder Bay during this event so economically it is a great boost for Thunder Bay.
“I work with the City of Thunder Bay on this event and when we meet it is not just about here but there is a longer view to this picture. We will get manufacturers and suppliers that come from outside the area who will come and test the market for a two day event. If the connections are made the first thing they will do is open up a warehouse, the second thing they will do is open up a manufacturing facility and it just keeps going on from
there.Long term economics is there, short term economic benefits are there. It is definitely a great even for the community.”
“ Canada Trade Ex has been doing trade shows for over 30 years and just celebrated our 30th Anniversary last year as a business. Over the years we have built a
large database on the manufacturing and supply side but also from the mining per-
spective as well. It is easier for us to connect and put the two teams together- the buyers and the sellers. This is our line of business.”
Tell me about the job hiring aspect of the show?
“ There is a huge job fair happening here. We have over 50 vendors that have their
Some of the over 300 exhibitors at CENCAN Expo
human resource representatives on site so anyone looking for a career or a new career this is where you can go. Come in with your resume.The mining industry at one time was looked at working underground in a dirty atmosphere. The industry is changing, it is a clean industry and there are literally 100 plus different job options within the mines from geology to nursing and the industry pays very well.”
Pure Gold is an interesting gold play in the Red Lake area. It is an old mine that closed in 1974 and had a mine shaft, headframe and surface buildings. Another company came in 1996 and tried to make a go of it but couldn’t and the property was acquired by Pure Gold about 8 years ago and 2 years ago went into operation.
Brian Wilson is the VPGM of Pure Gold based with their head office in Vancouver. Brian has been in the mining field for 371/2 years and started out breaking rock with a hammer interesting enough.
“
We have a 1000 ton a day mill, a tailings facility and an operating mine. It has two portals we mine from surface with 274 employees, all new jobs for Red Lake. We have been on a journey of cutting costs and improving safety and pouring gold. It has been a interesting journey and in the month of August we had our best ever since we reopened the property-over 4500 oz produced,” said Brian. “We are traded on the TSX and in May we raised $32 million that gave us the runway to turn the mine around and to install some new compressors, set up a bunkhouse up there that we purchased and are currently setting up water and sewer to get in going.”
“ You have to be efficient in mining in Ontario and Canada as you are on a global market going up against mining companies in Africa, Russia or China that have cheaper power and labour. As Canadian miners we have to be very aggressive, lean and do what we say we are going to do. If we do all of that safely we can execute mining.”
In Canada miners can make a great living of $100,000 or more per year. Pure Gold has some contractors on site but about 95%of their staff are their own employees.
“We have 1.6 million oz of gold, and are a 100,000 oz mill per year so we have a16 to
18 year life span mine. We also want to start the exploration going because there are green fields all around us that haven’t been drilled with 50 sq km of land near the Balmer complex. We are right in the middle of a booming area with the Kinross, Evolution and Barrick mines there is a lot of mining activity.” said Brian.
“
Istarted my mining career in Red Lake and three of my children were born there. I migrated down to Sudbury and have been working in Thunder Bay. I chose to go back to Red Lake as I feel I owe it to the community where I started my career to help turn that mine around and give back to the community that gave me a great career. It is a success story and we have great resources. I’m looking at visible gold every day, it is unbelievable.”
Recently gold sells for $ 2200 oz Canadian.
Confederation College honoured four alumni at their Community Partners’ Evening this year, by presenting them with a President’s Award for their incredible achievements.
Tricia McGuire-Adams, David Lemay, Jason Rasevych and Goro Koyama will be acknowledged for their impressive accomplishments within their respective industries at the College’s Community Partners’ Evening. The 27th annual event returns to an in-person format after two virtual celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brief profiles of each recipient are below.
“Our award winners are wonderful examples of what can be achieved when you set goals and work hard to achieve them,” said Kathleen Lynch, President of Confederation College. “Though each nominee is celebrated in different industries, they all have one thing in common: they started their journey at Confederation College. We are so proud of the significant achievements our alumni make and are thrilled to celebrate them.”
In addition to the President’s Award, these recipients have been nominated for the 2022 College Ontario Premier’s Award. These awards celebrate Ontario’s outstanding graduates and recognizes the contributions they have made within the province and beyond. The Premier’s Awards will be presented on November 28, 2022, in Toronto.
Confederation College’s Community Partners’Evening, presented by Tbaytel, is one of Thunder Bay’s premier business networking events. Guests enjoyed gourmet food prepared by students and faculty from the Culinary Management program.
Proceeds from the event will be directed to entrance bursaries in support of students who wish to attend Confederation College.
Brief profiles for the four President’s Award winners follow:
Aboriginal Law Advocacy, 1999
Tier II Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Ganandawisiwin/Good Health Sovereignties, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa
Dr. McGuire- Adams is from Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek and holds a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Ganandawisiwin/Good Health Sovereignties and is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa. Dr. McGuireAdams’research challenges deficit-based narratives within Indigenous health research by centering Indigenous dibaajimowinan (stories) of physical activity, health, and well being. Her CIHR and New Frontiers in Research funded program of research looks to Anishinaabeg land-based learning, physical activities, and gikendaasowin (knowledge) about Indigenous disabilities and sport, to further amplify Indigenous peoples’practices of health and well-being. Dr. McGuire-Adams is passionate about fostering Indigenous research methodologies in research and teaching.
Dr. McGuire- Adams has published two books: Indigenous Feminist Gikendaasowin: Decolonization through Physical Activity.; and Paradigm shifting: Centering Indigenous research methodologies, an Anishinaabe perspective. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health.
Lemay, David Confederation College Interprovincial Construction and Maintenance Electrician (Red Seal), 1992 President and CEO, Stuart Olson
ernance, and economic development experience, he was recognized as one of Canada’s Top Economic Developers and has secured more than $150 million for capital projects, legacy infrastructure, and business expansion with Indigenous groups. Jason has deep knowledge of Indigenous rights and the resource sector through his involvement in complex negotiations between First Nations, Industry and Government. He has led Indigenous groups to precedent-setting agreements in the mining, forestry, energy, and broadband sectors resulting in equity for Indigenous peoples in natural resources and ownership of enabling infrastructure. In 2019, he co-founded the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association to advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous business in pursuit of economic reconciliation in Canada. Jason also leads Deloitte’s Indigenous Trust service line, supports First Nations and Trustees to manage over $500 million in invested funds, and supports the growth, education and development of First Nations and its members.
Goro Koyama is an actor and foley artist best known for his work in Dune (2021), Blade Runner (2017), and Ford VFerrari (2019), as well as television series The Handmaids Tale, Vikings, and Reign. He
David Lemay is an experienced Senior Executive & Board Member, and former President and CEO of Stuart Olson, a $1 billion integrated solutions provider serving the Canadian Construction and Industrial Services Market. Raised near Thunder Bay, ON, LeMay is a construction electrician who worked in Thunder Bay before relocating to Fort McMurray, Alberta in 2006. In 2009, Lemay became president of Stuart Olson subsidiary Laird Electric. In 2010, he earned an executive MBAat Queen’s University. Lemay’s thesis focused on a plan to bring the company’s six divisions under one management team.This plan was accepted by Stuart Olson and he was later appointed president and CEO.
Confederation College Business – Marketing, 2006 Business – Administration Marketing, 2010
Partner, National Indigenous Client Services Lead, Deloitte Canada
Jason is an Anishinaabe from Ginoogaming First Nation and has 20 years of marketing, finance, strategy, gov-
has achieved numerous awards including Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award, two Gemini Awards, and three Canadian Screen Awards. He has 306 film credits to his name, from 1994-present day. Goro Koyama currently resides in the Greater Toronto Area
The arrival of the beautiful Viking Octantis cruise ship has given Thunder Bay a different vibe this summer. This
now. Luggage tent and screening equipment to screen passenger luggage has been installed. It is like an airport with the water side and land side so it is a secure terminal just like an airport. Delta is the check in hotel and Maintair Services has the contract to check in the passengers as they have experience at the airport.
Many guest come in early sometimes a
few days and then board the ship.Information from Paul Pepe CEDC
massive ship at 665 feet long and 30,000 gross tons with a passenger capacity of 378 and 275 crew is impressive. It is an ice class vessel and fully seaway compliant.
The ship cost around $ 300 million US
dollars to build. There is a sister ship called the Viking Polaris that is set to be launched later this fall.
Next year there will be 3 stops for the Octantis and 6 stops for the new Polaris ship in Thunder Bay. There is another cruise company ship coming with 2 stops for a total of 11 cruise ship stops up from 2022 numbers.
The Pool Six site has had some improvements done with landscaping and traffic flow with a lot of traffic movements there
