Nickel Belt News
Volume 58 Number 11
Friday, March 16, 2018
Thompson, Manitoba
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Volume 64 • Issue 14
Gathering to witness the sun and moon’s spectacular alignment Book a way to preserve and pass on memories of growing up in Churchill
BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN
People from all around the world gathered to witness a Total Solar Eclipse this past Monday. Here in Thompson, Manitoba, however, locals were treated to a Partial Solar Eclipse that began at 1:04 pm, peaked at 2:04 pm with a 0.488 Magnitude, and concluded at 3:04 pm, with a full duration of 1 hour and 59 minutes. While some schools kept their students indoors during the event, others took advantage of it as an educational opportunity. "We used this as an excuse to learn and have some fun," said Stephanie, a mother from one of the schools. The school divisions recorded a 22% absence rate from classes during the eclipse. It was the first total solar eclipse since 1979 to cast its shadow on Canadian soil, and people were excited to witness the spectacle. Hilding Neilson, an astrophysicist from Me-
morial University, was in Gander, N.L., for the event with some of his students. He was emotional and struggling for words as the sun reappeared and soaked the area in its light. "It was just remarkable, just an amazing experience," he said. "Just before totality,
feeling it get darker, we felt the temperature drop... it was just amazing to see the darkness.” The moon is about 400 times smaller than the sun, but it’s also about 400 times closer to the Earth. The bright, clear sunny sky made for the most per-
Photo composite by Mark Tegethoff on Unsplash fect weather conditions for tions made in 1919 helped those with dimmed glass- establish broad support for es to witness the planets' Albert Einstein’s theory of alignment. relativity. Total solar eclipses have In 1979, Manitoba was been central to some major in the path of totality, and scientific breakthroughs. school-aged Scott Young Helium was detected for was mesmerized. That’s the first time during an the moment the Manitoba 1868 eclipse, and observa- Museum Planetarium
astronomer was hooked. “The entire horizon was covered in the colors of twilight, and my head just exploded,” he said. However, the partial eclipse on Monday was shrouded in clouds behind him. While the next total solar eclipse in Canada is expected to pass through western provinces in 20 years, the phenomenon only happens in any given location roughly once every 360 years, according to some estimates. Some areas have waited even longer, like Kingston, Ont., which last fell under a total solar eclipse almost 700 years ago. As people continue to marvel at the beauty of a solar eclipse, it remains a reminder of the wonders of our universe and the importance of exploring and discovering all that it has to offer. ~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
Manitoba’s MMA sets the bar high with enhanced professional standards ethical and effective mu- ing with social issues. This by providing a framework that its members are held forward for the organizanicipal administration. The rapid change has brought to hold members account- to the highest standards of tion and for municipal adorganization supports the big lawsuits, high profile able to those standards. This professionalism and ethic- ministration in Manitoba. Manitoba Municipal Ad- delivery of effective and lawsuits such as Chief Ad- represents a revolutionary al behavior. The policy es- The policy ensures that ministrators (MMA) have affordable municipal servi- ministrative Officers, given change within our organiz- tablishes a clear process for MMA members are held been working tirelessly over ces, which are the backbone by the Municipality of Gil- ation and a vital contribu- addressing complaints and to the highest standards of the past year to elevate the of the Manitoba economy bert Plains, being faced with tion to good governance in enforcing the standards of professionalism and ethicstandards for municipal and the foundation on which misconduct by professional Manitoba.” conduct. al behavior. It provides a government. In an effort to safe, vibrant, and prosper- administrators and is facing The MMA has 21 stateThe MMA’s commitment clear process for addressing strengthen the code of con- ous communities are built. disciplinary action. The ments in the new profes- to its members is evident in Belt complaints enforcing Nickel News photoand by Ian Graham duct, the MMA has introThe new standards that deMeulles action hashas recently been so- about to Churchill. support their the standards of conduct. sional of conduct. Addictions Foundation of Manitoba northern director Gisele written a book hercode experiences growing its up, efforts mostly in duced a formal complaint the MMA has introduced lidified by the MMA which These statements outline the education and professional The MMA’s commitment to BY IAN GRAHAM all the is harsh weather write things you have ‘Oh, I’mable just as right?’ not a very safe memthing swallow whenThe people say itsFor process and enforcement to establish clearthat guidelines is now to bad, accept and was expectations of MMA development. organizmembers evident in its EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET have all these complaints. stories and to out. It’s pretty clear Iprocess do They but I are jumped at it.toI that the of polar policy. This new member to forfigure behavior and provide formal bers. expected ation Churchill provides aresidents range of and efforts to dangers support their eduThough she’s now written when I get through.” to Nicol, capturePresident them for thought that was exciting find somewhere bears, deMeulles said ifdeit standards and accountabila framework for deci- I need Duane be honest, transparent, and should trainingjust and development cation and professional a about herpolicy experienDeMeulles said she wrote my grandchildren really until the plane landed and easier to live. had been viable she would itybook framework has sion-making. This helps of the MMA and CAO, City accountable in all their deal- opportunities, including velopment. Through these ces up in Churchill, book, titled in because theystated, will be“Every lost if they throwing the workshops, “To say, ‘Those people have moved back to beengrowing put in place to ensure her to contribute toWhispers the trust of of Selkirk, ings. started They must also work conferences, efforts, the MMA is Churchhelping Addictions of the Wind: Stories from that the Iday, don’t.” off and realized, ‘Holy to live there. They ill in a heartbeat. the highestFoundation professional the profession, knowing Manitoba citizens en- fuel to foster a Irespectful and choose and networking events. to build strong, vibrant, and Manitoba northern director North Life in Churchill for trust Sheadministrators also has a reputation I wasworkplace probably sitting just these leave,’ events, is quite prosperous “I miss the shoreline,inI standards of administrators MMA -members hold to the with cats, inclusive that is should Through communities Gisele deMeulles said writ- a couplestandards. of reasons. as storyteller herself. It’s quite disre- miss the rock, I miss the are maintained. highest thea management of their on freea bomb.’” from discrimination simplistic. members can stay up-toManitoba. ingThe wasn’t something she “I justthe sort of 10 thought, “I had suchand a varied his- and Another thing that spectful. If latest we were in and the polar bears J. even though MMA is a not-forOver past years, communities the health harassment. date on the trends ~Matthias Johnson is a always thought sheassociwould you what, thishave his- tory and I would people spurred her on was the same boat in another area they’re very dangerous and profit professional localknow governments and safety of theirtell families. The new policy has been best practices in municipal Local Journalism Initiative do. this stuff in my stories Churchill think we would scream Ireporter really miss the Hudson they would go, hard ation that has been operat- tory, become morethat’s complex. This is and a sacred trust and put intimes placefacing to ensure that Iadministration. who works out of my1931. youth I never head, it’s goingroads, to bewater gone ‘That’s true, is it?’ I’dWe go, since the Hudson Bay Rail- about that so whythe don’t they Bay,” she says.Citizen. “When The I go ing“In since It supports They manage a greatnot responsibility. municipal administrators In conclusion, MMA’s the Thompson felt good at writing,” she if I don’t ditches, write it down,” she ‘Yeah it’s true.’ go, way the option to do that? standing on the suspended operations the education and profesutilities, fire departare stepping up,They’d not only are held accountable to have new member standards and back Localhome, Journalism Initiative said. when I moved didn’t do all our that,prodid north are not and go- ‘You of Gillam spring. think right now they’re Hudson Bay out on sional“But development of its said. ments,“My andkids recreation, by strengthening standards. Thelast MMA is Iaccountability framework is funded bylooking the Governto Thompson to get into to the getfront it if lines I don’t do it you? You’ve got to be “It used totobeensuring a really feeling they’re pawns it just gives you an members, advocating for ing are on in dealfessional standards butreally also committed policy islike a significant step the mentbay, of Canada. BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN
the school of social work, at that point I had to write for university and realized, ‘Holy, I’m not bad at this, right?’ I certainly developed a lot of skill in university and came out of there with a very strong skill in my writing and confidence in my writing. I write very clear and that’s it. It’s there. Some people say it’s kind of blunt or direct. I don’t tend
and it’s something I’ve always wanted my mom to do. My mom’s an elder and she’s an artist, she’s got so many wonderful stories because she always tells her stories at Parks Canada in Churchill and I’ve always hounded her, ‘Please, just put it on tape, I will write it for you because your story is going to be lost,’ and she’s never done it and I thought,
old.’ I was like, ‘No, actually I did all that before I was 27,’ and they went ‘What?’” Looking back, some of those experiences are things she might not do again. “I did some pretty bizarre stuff like fuel hauls into the high Arctic at -35,” said deMeulles. “It didn’t dawn on me until after. That was a very dangerous thing to do. Being on a plane full of fuel
“Gravel on your lawn? Gotta be gone.”
thriving large community in a political game and that’s incredible sense. You feel so and it’s just dwindled down really sad for them because I small and you feel great.” to such •a POWER small population think• the peopleMOWING of Church- • AERATION Now that• she’s got SWEEPING LAWN now,” deMeulles says. ill really want to thrive. one book under her belt, • DETHATCHING • LANDSCAPE DRAINAGE • says she may try Though she’s not there They’ve built their worlds deMeulles any longer, her parents and there. How would we feel to produce another. • LICENSED FERTILIZER AND WEED CONTROL SERVICES • her sister and other family if someone came to you and “I have another book in • FAMILY OPERATED • NPRUDER@LIVE.CA said, ‘I’m sorry, you have to me,” she says.•“It’s a darker members still are. OWNED & “My cousin owns the leave your home community story, more about personhardware store there,” she and we’re going to displace al growth and struggles. says. you somewhere else and all Maybe in the next five years Because of that, your loved ones and your it’s something I’ll focus on deMeulles finds it hard to history is gone?’” doing.”
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