April 5 2024

Belt News

Families and businesses struggling

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

Manitobans are facing a 23% federal carbon tax hike that came into effect on April 1. As much as we would all like to thank this act as an April fools joke, the past couple of days have proved the direct opposite as the tax increase has support from Premier Wab Kinew and his Manitoba NDP government. This means that every household and industry in Manitoba will feel the effects of the NDP carbon tax prices.

The rising cost of fuel will affect industries such as farming and truck hauling, as well as our personal lives, including fueling up our cars and grocery shopping. Manitoba truckers, who bring most of our goods from the farms and factories to our tables, will take the brunt of this hit as this will limit truck routes to the far North and may even eliminate some. Local companies not only haul in Manitoba but across North America. The cost hikes will be passed on to customers, which will affect every Manitoban, regardless of their location.

The carbon tax hike will result in increased food prices, increased fuel costs, and increased heating costs for all Manitobans. The tax is set to keep rising until 2030, costing more money to live, year by year. The government has not pro-

might lead to an increase in the carbon footprint of the town. The government has not provided any plan to address the issue, which has left great concern about the environment.

Book a way to preserve and pass on memories of growing up in Churchill

vided any long-term affordability plan to address the issue, which has left many concerned about their financial future.

Thompson, as well as the surrounding Northern communities, are predicted to take the brunt of this hit as heavy reliance on tucking may begin to limit due to their new unaffordable expenses. The truckers who bring goods to Thompson from other parts of Manitoba and Canada will be affected by the tax hike and result in increased costs of transportation leading to an increase in the prices of goods in Thompson and put a great deal of strain on the pockets of the residents.

The farming industry is prime example of pinnacle concern to the carbon tax

effects as farmers in Thompson rely on natural gas and propane to heat their barns and dry their grain. The increase in carbon tax will lead to an increase in the cost of production, which will affect the cost of raising livestock. For instance, a soybean crusher paying $150,000 per year in carbon tax today will pay $185,000 starting April 1, 2021.

Manitoba’s pork industry is a significant contributor to the economy, with over 22,000 people employed in the sector and an annual contribution of more than $2.3 billion, 624 farms exporting to more than 30 countries, making Manitoba is the largest supplier of hogs in Canada.

The cost of living in Thompson has already

proved to be hardly manageable for residents as the town has a population of about 13,000 people, and the majority of the residents are middle-class families. The increase in the cost of living will affect the residents’ ability to pay for their basic needs, such as food and heating. The government has not provided any plan to address the issue, which has left the residents of Thompson concerned about their financial future. The carbon tax hike will also affect the environment in Thompson. With being located so far North, many residents in and around to more rural areas rely heavily on natural resources. The increased cost of fuel and heating might lead to an increase in the use of wood which

The carbon tax hike has been a controversial issue, with seven premiers of different parties asking Justin Trudeau to withdraw his proposed carbon tax hike, which will put a financial burden on hardworking Manitoba families. Currently, Wab Kinew has not yet publicly joined them, but instead, he is diverting attention from the topic by talking about the temporary gas tax holiday. However, the truth is that the 23% increase in the carbon tax will result in a price of $0.17/ liter for fuel. It’s not only more expensive than the provincial gas tax, but it’s also permanent, unlike the NDP’s temporary measure.

Manitobans are looking for a long-term affordability plan from Kinew as he stated in a recent interview that though they allowed the Carbon Tax to fall on Manitoba they plan to compensate that expense with extending the cut on fuel tax; “What we did today at the Provincial level is we announced that we are going to extend the fuel tax exemption by three more months. So on January first of this year, we cut the Provincial fuel tax to zero” Said Kinew, “We committed to doing that for the first six months of the

year. But as we got closer to budget day we’d seen the various challenges around the pipe line issue that we’ve all been living through the past few weeks, the Carbon tax, rising cost of living, interest rates still being high, we looked at each other around the Government table and we said ‘let’s extend this fuel tax holiday for three more months at least, so we can help the average Manitoban’”

In conclusion, the carbon tax hike will have a significant impact on the residents of Thompson, Manitoba, and the rest of the province. The tax hike will affect industries such as farming and trucking, as well as our personal lives. The government has not provided any long-term affordability plan to address the issue, which has left many Manitobans concerned about their financial future. The residents of Thompson, in particular, will be affected by the tax hike, which will put a strain on their pockets and the local economy. The government needs to address the issue and provide a long-term affordability plan to mitigate the effects of the carbon tax hike on the residents of Thompson and Manitoba.

~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.

$140M committed to new water, wastewater projects in several Manitoba communities

BY IAN GRAHAM

EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

Drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in several Manitoba communities will be getting a financial boost that could result in more than 14,000 new homes being built in the province.

Though she’s now written a book about her experiences growing up in Churchill, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba northern director Gisele deMeulles said writing wasn’t something she always thought she would do.

This week, the Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) announced it will loan a combined $140 million to support five Manitoba communities with potable water and wastewater projects through CIB’s Infrastructure for Housing Initiative. The provincial portion of this investment is over $71 million.

CIB, a Crown corporation, currently works to

“In my youth I never felt good at writing,” she said. “But when I moved to Thompson to get into 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

to write things that you have to figure out. It’s pretty clear when I get through.”

DeMeulles said she wrote her book, titled Whispers in the Wind: Stories from the North - Life in Churchill for a couple of reasons.

financially support “revenue-generating infrastructure projects that are in the public interest,” according to CIB. The new investment commitments have been made with the City of Brandon, and with the RedSeine-Rat (RSR) Wastewater Co-operative, which includes the RMs of Tache, Hanover and Richot, and the town of Niverville. The municipalities are further supported with funding from the Manitoba government and Infrastructure Canada through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Manitoba government acted as an aggregator, supporting and co-ordinating with the municipal partners.

“I just sort of thought, you know what, this history, this stuff that’s in my head, it’s going to be gone if I don’t write it down,” she said. “My kids are not going to get it if I don’t do it 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,

‘Oh, I’m just as bad, right?’ I have all these stories and I need to capture them for my grandchildren really because they will be lost if I don’t.”

She also has a reputation as a storyteller herself.

In Brandon, money will be used for a water treatment plant upgrade and expansion that CIB says will allow the southwestern Manitoba city to provide potable water that “meets and exceeds” provincial standards.

“I had such a varied history and I would tell people stories and they would go, ‘That’s not true, is it?’ I’d go, ‘Yeah it’s true.’ They’d go, ‘You didn’t do all that, did you? You’ve got to be really old.’ I was like, ‘No, actually I did all that before I was 27,’ and they went ‘What?’”

Brandon will also expand coverage of their current wastewater facility to accommodate “growing commercial and residential demand in the city,” according to CIB.

“This investment will not only modernize our water treatment facilities and wastewater systems, but also pave the way for sustainable growth in our communities for generations to come,” Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett said in a media release.

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

was not a very safe thing to do but I jumped at it. I thought that was exciting until the plane landed and they started throwing the fuel off and I realized, ‘Holy cats, I was probably sitting on a bomb.’”

In the communities of Taché, Hanover, Ritchot and Niverville, money will be used to create a new “centralized” wastewater treatment plant, which will allow those communities to move away from using traditional wastewater lagoons for sewage.

CBI says that project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55,300 tonnes over the facility’s lifespan, and add “significant additional capacity required to support some of the fastest growing communities in Manitoba.”

Another thing that spurred her on was the hard times facing Churchill since the Hudson Bay Railway suspended operations north of Gillam last spring. “It used to be a really thriving large community and it’s just dwindled down to such a small population now,” deMeulles says.

Though she’s not there any longer, her parents and her sister and other family members still are.

“My cousin owns the hardware store there,” she says.

“This investment from the CIB will ensure that our region continues to be an attractive place for families to call home,” RSR Wastewater Co-operative board chair Jim Funk said.

Because of that, deMeulles finds it hard to

“The CIB’s involvement and expertise has enabled our four municipalities to sustainably pursue residential and commercial growth over the next 50 years.”

swallow when people say that Churchill residents should just find somewhere easier to live.

“To say, ‘Those people choose to live there. They should just leave,’ is quite simplistic. It’s quite disrespectful. If we were in the same boat in another area I think we would scream about that so why don’t they have the option to do that?

CIB said the $140 million will support projects that will deliver clean water and improved wastewater treatment to approximately 78,000 homes across the five communities, and provide infrastructure that could allow for the construction of 2,300 new housing units in Brandon, and 12,600 new housing units in the RSR region.

“Unlocking more infrastructures is critical to helping communities get more housing built,” Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Sean Fraser said.

I think right now they’re feeling like they’re pawns in a political game and that’s really sad for them because I think the people of Churchill really want to thrive. They’ve built their worlds there. How would we feel if someone came to you and said, ‘I’m sorry, you have to leave your home community and we’re going to displace you somewhere else and all your loved ones and your history is gone?’”

“The CIB’s investment of $140 million toward new water and wastewater infrastructure will modernize wastewater infrastructure while creating the conditions needed to enable the growth of the municipality of Brandon and the communities in the RSR.”

For all the harsh weather and the dangers of polar bears, deMeulles said if it had been viable she would have moved back to Churchill in a heartbeat.

“I miss the shoreline, I miss the rock, I miss the polar bears even though they’re very dangerous and I really miss the Hudson Bay,” she says. “When I go back home, standing on the Hudson Bay looking out on the bay, it just gives you an incredible sense. You feel so small and you feel great.”

Fraser said the two projects are the first in Canada to be financed through CIB’s Infrastructure for Housing Initiative, a program he said will be available to communities across the country.

Now that she’s got one book under her belt, deMeulles says she may try to produce another.

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

“I have another book in me,” she says. “It’s a darker story, more about personal growth and struggles. Maybe in the next five years it’s something I’ll focus on doing.”

Nickel Belt News photo by Ian Graham

Addictions Foundation of Manitoba northern director Gisele deMeulles has written a book about her experiences growing up, mostly in Churchill.

Photo by sippakorn yamkasikorn on Unsplash

Manitoba’s Friendship Centers struggle to meet growing needs amid lack of funding

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

Manitoba's Friendship Centers have been struggling to meet the growing needs of their communities due to a lack of financial support, despite their tireless efforts. The Manitoba Association of Friendship Centers (MAFC) acknowledges the budgetary constraints faced by the province, but it calls on the provincial government to live up to its commitment to prioritize the needs of urban Indigenous populations.

David Gray, President of MAFC, who oversees all the 11 Friendship Centers in Manitoba, stated that even though they understand the financial pressure the Government has, they feel as though their essential organization is left forgotten and suppressed. "They used to represent nearly 50% of our funding model as Friendship Centers. Now it represents only 10% of our funding and maybe even less. And worse than that is that those programs last received a funding increase

in 2001,” he said. While inflation increases, the expectations remain exactly the same.

The Friendship Centers have been recognized for their tireless efforts in providing support to urban Indigenous families, individuals, and communities. However, despite the growing needs of these populations, the budget still lacks the much-needed funding enhancements. The increasing demands have put a strain on the local resources of municipalities across Manitoba. Nonetheless, there have been new proposals to bridge the gaps in services that have arisen due to years of neglect, with Centers being in a particularly advantageous position to tackle this issue.

"We've been lobbying now for 5 years to get the Government to accept our statistical analysis,” said Gray. “We have to get down to that tax; the Province is entitled to fund whoever they want. They can say they don’t believe in Friendship Centers anymore if that’s what they want to

say, but I can’t imagine them saying that because we are incredibly successful in every major community across Manitoba. If you go to community leaders, council, and school boards, you'll find that they were incredibly cooperative with everybody, and as an example, the Province put zero money into assisting families. They put money into other priorities. And Friendship Centers were one of the largest groups that put money into the hands of families to get them through that horrible time. We’re not looking for special credit for that, we did our jobs! But it’s important to note in terms of what we deliver.”

Friendship Centers play a crucial role in supporting and advocating for the homeless and those in financial need. Friendship Centers are the first point of contact for many Indigenous people to access culturally based socio-economic programs and services such as housing, education, ceremony, healthcare, and youth programming. However, the

lack of funding increases since 2001 has severely limited their capacity to meet the evolving needs of their communities.

“Since Thompson’s incorporation in 1974, giving 50 years the Government has been trying to fund little groups at our expense,” said Gray. “We have suggested to the Government that now there is a big problem in urban communities. It’s that there are a bunch of people who are either on drugs or have mental health problems, and most agencies are having a hard time dealing with these individuals because they don’t fit any model, and many places are afraid to deal with them, including some of our friendship centers because some of these people are incredibly dangerous, but we can’t just throw them away. We need that backing and support to help them as effectively and efficiently as possible.”

Despite the budgetary constraints faced by the province, it is crucial to recognize the unique challenges faced by urban

Indigenous families, individuals, and community members. Friendship Centers have played a unique role in advocating for reconciliation since the 1950s and 60s. They are the oldest and most significant provincial-wide network of community hubs offering urban Indigenous people programs, services, and support. In 2022, Manitoba's eleven Friendship Centers collectively reached 45,888 individuals annually, with 204 programs, offering more than 640,200 points of services and making a significant impact on the lives of Manitobans.

Gray added, “At the end of the day we know that in Thompson there’s two, or three or four hundred people who are falling between the cracks being pushed aside and ignored every day and you know that they pay an inordinate amount of recourses from the police and other businesses, if we could do better, we could free up resources for other things”

The Friendship Centers have been doing their best

Solar eclipse safety tips

to help the urban Indigenous population, but they cannot do it alone, especially with the lack of funding. The Manitoba Government must take action to provide the necessary resources and support to ensure that urban Indigenous people access the vital services they need to succeed in urban settings across Canada.

The Manitoba Government must prioritize the needs of urban Indigenous populations and provide the necessary resources and support to ensure that urban Indigenous people access the vital services they need to succeed. The tireless efforts and dedication of Friendship Centers in supporting urban Indigenous families, individuals, and communities have not gone unnoticed. But, to continue doing their work, they need the support of the Government.

~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.

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

Employers across Canada are being urged to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their outdoor workers during the solar eclipse, which is scheduled to occur on April 8th, 2024. While the event is highly anticipated, it poses a significant risk to those who must be outside during the eclipse. Michelle Ann Zoleta, the Health & Safety Advice Manager at Peninsula Canada, suggests that employers should take proactive measures to keep their staff safe.

“As exciting as this event is, it poses a significant risk to outdoor workers or any worker that has to be outside during the time of the solar eclipse. Employers must proactively plan to ensure the necessary precautions are in place to keep staff safe,” stated Zoleta.

Zoleta, who is the Health and Safety Team Lead at Peninsula, has extensive knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety laws and regulations across Canada. She helps clients navigate complex health and safety matters and coaches the health and safety advisory team on how to handle challenging inquiries from clients in the eight provinces where Peninsula operates. She further continued about the awareness that was brought to light from their influx of calls addressing this issue became an increasing matter; “We’ve been getting a lot of phone calls from our current clients in Peninsula, from an HR

Public Safety perspective asking what they might do if their employees want to participate, asking how they might protect their employees from it. That’s one of the reasons why we’ve wanted to dive into this a little deeper and let people know the risk and how to participate in the safest way possible,”

The eclipse is an exciting event that attracts thousands of Canadians, especially Manitobans who want to experience it firsthand. Employers must, therefore, be mindful of last-minute absences and a surge in time-off requests to watch this historic event.

One of the most critical steps employers should take is to educate their staff about the importance of protecting their eyes. Looking directly at the sun without proper protection can cause significant eye damage or even blindness. Zoleta warns that "Not just Goggles, but sunglasses with UV protection so that your eyes don’t get damaged." Employers should provide protective eyewear for outdoor workers and ensure that they understand the importance of using it.

Zoleta further stated that, “As the weather gets better, we want to think about the individuals who will be working outside during this occurrence. So the increase in people looking up in the sky need to be aware of what they should be doing to protect their eyesight,” she also expressed that certain areas prove as a greater risk then others, such as locations with water.

“The areas that have the

highest focus and main concerns include areas that have large bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. Because if you think about it, that reflecting off the water, most people are going to be looking in those areas because one, maybe there’s high elevation and two it would honestly look pretty. But these are areas that hold the greatest concern,” Employers should consider adjusting work timings around the eclipse to avoid peak times. They should also provide shaded

rest areas to shield workers from direct exposure to the sun. By implementing these precautions, outdoor workers will be safe, and it will also limit any interruptions to their duty.

Accidents can happen, which is why it is essential to have an emergency response plan in place. Employers should make sure that first aid supplies are readily available, and the staff is trained in basic first aid procedures.

Zoleta has been with Peninsula since 2018, and

her main responsibility is to ensure that Peninsula complies with internal health and safety regulations. She works closely with other internal departments to ensure Peninsula's health and safety services meet industry best practices and comply with legislation. Zoleta offers her clients expert consultation on all aspects of health and safety management, providing timely solutions to their concerns.

“Obviously a Solar Eclipse only happens so many times a year, and one

of the reasons why Peninsula highlighted it is because now that the weather is also getting better, we want to spread awareness where even though this is an amazing event happening, businesses should be aware of what they should do with their workers as well as educate them from a health and safety perspective,” Zoleta concluded.

The eclipse will be visible from the eastern parts of Canada, and heavily in the North as it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from North America since August 2017. The eclipse will be visible for about three minutes in some areas, with the duration decreasing as you move away from the path of totality.

Employers across Canada must take proactive measures to ensure the safety of their outdoor workers during the solar eclipse. By providing protective eyewear, shaded rest areas, and adjusting work timings, employers can ensure that their staff is safe during this highly anticipated event.

With the help of experts like Michelle Ann Zoleta, employers can navigate the complex health and safety matters surrounding the solar eclipse and provide their staff with the necessary professional advice and assistance to comply with their province's health and safety laws.

~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.

Photo by Jason Howell on Unsplash

A solar eclipse viewed through safety glasses.

Northern Healthcare addressed

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

The Canadian healthcare system has been a topic of concern for many years.

According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, Canada ranks last in primary healthcare access among 10 wealthy nations. This is a significant issue that needs to be addressed urgently to ensure that every Canadian has access to the healthcare they deserve.

While free healthcare may seem like a convenience on paper, the reality is that getting urgent and immediate medical care can be challenging and costly in Canada. This is especially true in Northern Manitoba, where the region ranks at the bottom in primary care access, undermining our reputation and highlighting the significant deficiencies in our healthcare system.

Thankfully, the government is taking action to address these issues. Premier Wab Kinew recently announced the Budget 2024, designed to address healthcare across Manitoba and reduce costs in the system. The budget stems from an existing promise made six months ago by including hiring 1,000 new healthcare workers, introducing a $1,500 Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit, and focusing on strengthening the province’s economy.

“Our first budget delivers on those commitments by hiring 1,000 new healthcare workers and delivering cost savings for Manitoba families with a $1,500 Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit. We’re strengthening our province’s economy, with help for you and help for those who need it most.”

Stated Kinew

The budget plans to hire 100 doctors, 210 nurses, 90 paramedics, and 600 healthcare aides over the next year. This world-record medical investment will undoubtedly improve Manitobans' healthcare access. With a record investment in healthcare, the budget also aims to add hospital and ICU beds and open new Minor Injury and Illness clinics and primary care clinics to make healthcare accessible for patients.

The government is prioritizing investments in community health centers, mobile clinics, and telemedicine services to ensure that every Canadian, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, has timely access to essential healthcare services. The plan is to incentivize healthcare professionals to work in underserved areas and expand multidisciplinary care teams to enhance access and quality of care.

Premier Kinew has outlined that the primary focus of this budget is to enhance healthcare facilities in rural and northern regions, im-

prove cancer care, modernize health records, and introduce plastic health cards for all Manitobans. The government's commitment to rebuilding healthcare across Manitoba and reducing healthcare costs for families is praiseworthy. This investment is expected to significantly improve healthcare access across Canada, particularly in the North.

It has also been approved to include Thompson in the budget for acquiring a new mobile MRI and a second permanent MRI in the

Thompson General Hospital, as well as expanding dialysis services to Norway House Cree Nation and Pimicikamak Cree Nation. Providing better access to healthcare resources can have a positive impact on the health outcomes of First Nations communities, particularly in terms of facilitating safe and healthy births. This proposed initiative may lead to the preservation and improvement of overall health outcomes for these communities. The shortage of healthcare

professionals, inadequate funding, and the lack of emphasis on preventive care are some of the factors that contribute to the problem. The government is taking several steps to address these issues and provide access to quality healthcare for all Canadians.

Budget 2024 is a significant investment in the health and well-being of Manitobans. It is a commitment to prioritize the healthcare system and ensure that every Canadian has access to the healthcare they deserve. The government's focus on rebuilding health-

care across Manitoba and reducing costs for families is commendable. It is hoped that this investment will lead to tangible improvements in healthcare access and quality of care across Canada. We all have a collective responsibility to ensure that every Canadian has access to the healthcare they need.

~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.

SENIOR CLERK – OPERATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SERVICES (TEMP)

The City of Thompson invites qualified applicants to submit a resume for consideration. The successful candidate will have Grade 12 or higher. This position requires demonstrated working knowledge of computer software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and miscellaneous office supplies. The successful candidate must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and excellent public relations skills, be able to work accurately under pressure and within tight deadlines and adapt to quickly changing situations.

The duties for this position include preparing payroll sheets, maintaining employee records, invoices, and maintaining records, typing of documents, reports and correspondence, ensuring data input is accurate is essential. Receives and transmits two-way radio and telephone calls, directing them to appropriate personnel, answers routine inquiries and complaints, and receives and distributes mail. Compiles and processes invoices, permits, and logs costs and statistical records, and various other duties.

The City of Thompson offers an extensive benefits package. This position involves a 40 hour work week at a current rate of $28.41 per hour.

Applications will be accepted up to and including Friday April 19, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Those interested may apply in confidence to:

Human Resources, City of Thompson 226 Mystery Lake Road, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1S6

FAX: (204) 677-7981

E-Mail: osalau@thompson.ca or jkaur@thompson.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Those requiring assistance with the application process should call 204-677-7924

The City of Thompson is committed to providing a superior quality of life and unlimited opportunities. We are dedicated to supporting healthy growth and our northern urban lifestyle while providing our residents with high quality municipal services and facilities.

The next Regular Meeting of Council is on April 8 at 7 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. The public is welcome to attend. The meeting will be livestreamed on Facebook, YouTube and X and is also broadcast live on Rogers TV Channel 11.

Upcoming meeting agendas are available on the City of Thompson website the Friday before the meeting at https://www. thompson.ca/p/minutes-agendas. Minutes of previous meetings are also available there.

Stay informed on the go through Thompson Connect

To get important notices about things like road closures, boil water advisories and water shutoffs sent directly to your phone, register for our direct communication system Thompson Connect.

Sign up for email, text and voice message notifications at:

www.thompson.ca/p/connect

board opts for status quo, way will city council

go?

of the people opposed to the plan the regular critics council who attend meetings and ask their elected officials quesweek after week, opinions may not enough to dissuade majority from forahead, especially the number of people who care about one way or another doesn’t even reach double digits. Whether or not the number of councillors school board trustshould be reduced the sort of quesfor which there is right or wrong anOn the pro side keeping the current numbers, the option all but one of the school board members for, is the arguthat it spreads the

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

The federal and provincial governments are putting up more than $25 million in combined funding to help those who have been victims of genderbased violence in Manitoba access housing, and avoid many of the hurdles advocates say are leaving women and girls living in violent and possibly life-threatening situations.

“We truly believe that this announcement has the potential to save lives,” West Central Women's Resource Centre (WCWRC) executive director Lorie English said on Tuesday at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

English joined federal Northern Affairs Minister

workload around and allows for greater diversity of viewpoints, though Ryan Land was mostly correct in saying that, in terms of class and ethnicity, the trustees aren’t really a microcosm of the School District of Mystery Lake’s population as a whole. If you’ve been to many school board meetings (and apart from members of the media, well, you haven’t), you would know that they don’t often feature nearly as much debate or division as city council meetings, at least not over the past couple of years. But they’ve made their decision and it appears there will be seven school board trustees at least until 2022.

Dan Vandal and Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister Marci Ien, and provincial Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith and Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine to announce the feds and province have agreed to split $27.5 million in total funding over five years to enhance the current Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) program.

The two levels of government said the enhancements to CHB will help to provide housing supports for survivors of genderbased violence, and the money is now expected to help support over 2,600 households in securing housing.

One of the arguments

for reducing members, whether they belong to the school board or council, is that it will save money. The amount is not large overall – about $20,000 in councillors’ salaries per year plus approximately half that amount, on average, for annual travel and expenses. For the city, which has a budget of around $30 million, that represents probably less than a drop in the proverbial bucket, though it is about a fifth of the overall cost of the mayor and council.

those who are fleeing violence face when trying to access housing, by not requiring income testing in the first year of CHB benefits for those who have left violent homes and situations.

the citizens of Thompson elected more truly independent-thinking candidates who aren’t married to aligning themselves with any particular side, because right now, the number of opinions on council is generally two – for and against.

Feds, province provide $27.5M in funding to help victims of gender-based violence access housing

and you don’t know what your next steps will be.

The funding will also help by removing barriers

WCWRC, according to English, offers supports and services for those fleeing gender-based and domestic violence, and English said often those who flee a violent situation can end up back in that same dangerous situation, because they feel they have nowhere else to go.

Critics of the proposed reduction say that it will prevent “new blood” from being elected and, theoretically, reduce the diversity of opinions, but that would only be true if

“Imagine if you can, needing to flee your home in fear with nothing but the clothes on your back and whatever you can think to grab on your way out the door,” English said. “You know you can’t go home,

Maybe the low turnout of people with opinions on how many councillors there should be isn’t an expression of apathy but of pragmatism. Experience has shown quite often that this council – and others before it –is going to do what the majority of its members think is right, regardless of what the most vocal taxpayers think. If that is the case, does it really matter how many of them there are?

“We know that, on average, it takes seven attempts to leave violent situations, and that is due in part to the many barriers survivors face once they have left. Safe, stable and affordable housing is the biggest of these barriers, and often people will return to violence because of the fear of being homeless.”

Vandal and Smith officially signed the new agreement for the combined funding at the Manitoba Legislature on Tuesday.

“We are grateful for this partnership with the federal government to give our relatives the financial support they need when escaping gender-based violence,” Smith said.

“For too long, women,

children and 2SLGBTQI+ people experiencing domestic violence have faced limited options that have kept them in dangerous housing situations.”

Smith said the agreement also answers calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the calls for justice from the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Manitoba is now the first province in Canada to co-design a program under the CHB program meant specifically for survivors of gender-based violence.

Under the new enhancements, benefit amounts will be determined based on family size and average regional rental rates. Funding will be provided to eli-

gible applicants on a yearly basis through Manitoba’s non-Employment and Income Rent Assist Program.

Tuesday’s announcement was the second in as many days for the federal government in Winnipeg regarding gender-based violence.

On Monday, Vandal and Ien announced the feds are also investing more than $7 million to help several organizations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan that are working to address and combat gender-based violence, and prevent violence against women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Maple syrup festival to showcase Métis culture

BY MIRANDA LEYBOURNE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, BRANDON SUN

The Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival is back this year on April 2021, offering up the sweet taste of syrup with a side of Indigenous culture and education.

Highlights of this year’s event, which takes place in McCreary, Man., located 137 kilometres northeast of Brandon, include a farmer’s market, pancake breakfast, events like a scavenger hunt and geocaching, and horse and wagon rides. Two sugar bush trees will be on display, and visitors will get to sink their teeth into fresh maple taffy poured onto pristine snow.

Since it takes place in the heart of a historic Métis settlement, facilitators have also chosen to include unique Indigenous educational events this year, including workshops on beading, pemmican making, plant identification for traditional medicines and, as part of the weekend’s entertainment, Métis jigging by Hayley and Hunter Oleschak.

Festival president Pam Little says including information on Métis history and culture is important.

“We’ve really focused on Métis culture over the years with music, but then we decided we really needed to try to do some reconciliation work too,” she said.

Last year, Melanie Gamache of Borealis Beading taught beading workshops at the festival, and this year she’ll be back doing the same thing. She also does a talk in the morning about the evolution of beading, its symbolism and how it relates to Métis culture and identity.

This year, Gamache is bringing new ideas to the festival.

“I have a program that I just re-developed and released this winter which is called Métis Connections,” she said. “It’s a two-part program, and the first part is an interactive presentation where I present stories on the culture, history and

connections of the Métis people and the various names they’ve been given over the course of time.”

Gamache will also use the first part of the program to speak about the connection Métis people have with the Red River cart, bison, sashes and beadwork. She plans to share a lot of the stories she’s been given and the research she’s done on how all parts of Métis culture are connected.

Anyone is welcome to attend the first part of the program. The second part is a beading project. While Gamache teaches the foundations of beading, she’ll also be speaking about Métis culture.

“I share what I call the first evolution of beadwork, so I talk about what was used pre-colonization and what First Nations people would use,” she said. The second part of Gamache’s program costs $30 to attend.

Shawn Charlebois, who owns Red Road Compass, a business that educates people about Indigenous culture and land-based customs, will also be at the festival. Charlebois will be running a pemmican making workshop and the medicinal plant identification workshop.

Charlebois will be sharing Indigenous history and how pemmican, a food made by Indigenous people of dried and pounded meat, melted fat and sometimes berries, morphed into a staple for the Canadian fur trade.

“This food allowed Manitoba to be born, and allowed our nation to become Canada,” he said.

Charlebois applauds Little and the other people involved in putting on the maple syrup festival for wanting to include Indigenous content, which he said is absolutely necessary to tell the history of the area.

“I think it really kind of expands and rounds off this festival, because even when you start talking about maple syrup, oftentimes we predominately

think it’s just associated with places like Quebec … but we know that this is a traditional food that’s been used since time immemorial,” he said.

The sugar bushes are always a huge draw for the crowds who come out to enjoy the springtime event, Little says.

“Once people get to the sugarbush, it’s like they don’t want to leave,” she said. “What makes it unique is you actually are visiting a working sugar bush, not heritage site.”

The festival is a great way to introduce people to the community of McCreary, which boasts a population of around 400 people.

“It’s a beautiful location that many people who come here have never been to before, and they don’t know about … the maple trees growing at the base of Riding Mountain National Park,” Little said.

Oftentimes when people come out for the first day of the festival intending to see everything that day, they find there’s to enough time to take in all that’s offered and so the end up returning for the second day of the festival, Little added.

“A lot of times people end up telling us that they couldn’t fit everything in. So now, if you don’t get to the sugar bush on Saturday because of the other things that are going on then you can go on Sunday,” she said.

Ninety-one year-old Claude Desrosiers has been a sugar bush producers for 30 years. Three decades ago, when he retired from teaching, he started out with makeshift equipment, only for his passion to quickly grow from a hobby to a way of life.

Now, Desrosiers loves to get back out and start tapping his sugar bush in the early days of spring.

“After a winter, it’s kind of nice to go tramping in the bush. I’ve been working in the bush for many years. At the beginning it was really a lot of work be-

cause it lasted a long time,” he said.

The perfect time to tap maple trees is when the temperature rises during the day but cools off at night. Unfortunately, over the last several years, Mother Nature hasn’t provided the ideal weather for Desrosiers’ business. When he started out, the perfect, spring-like weather – not too warm and not too cold – would last several weeks. Now, he says he’s lucky if it lasts several days, something Desrosiers puts down to climate change.

“We don’t have the drawn-out spring anymore,” he said.

Still, Desrosiers is looking forward to the festival, which is in its 11th year. He especially loves to see the children enjoying the maple taffy. He’s already packed clean snow away into coolers to ensure that, whatever the weather throws at the area, there will be plenty of room for pouring the amber-coloured sweet treat. “I need snow for that, and I never take a chance on the quality of snow, so in January when we had those substantial snowfalls, I packed it away in the freezer,” he said.

Desrosiers is proud of the festival’s connection to Indigenous culture and the effort of the people who run it to ensure that they tell the story of the land and it’s Métis people, who were active maple syrup producers.

“They were tapping trees and making maple syrup in this area for a long time,” he said. “They still produce maple syrup.”

The weekend will also feature entertainers Owen Anderson, Juilianna Moore, Avery Styklao, the Boom Chuck Club, hypnotist Jesse Lewis, and the Cameron Campbell Band.

Last year around 540 people attended the event. Little hopes that this year’s event will draw an even bigger crowd. Family passes cost $25, while individual ones are on sale for $5.

Ste Rose du Lac RCMP track down prolific offender

On March 28, 2024, at approximately 5:00 pm, officers with the Ste Rose du Lac RCMP were conducting a patrol in Ebb and Flow First Nation when they observed a 31-year-old male, known to have several outstanding Warrants of Arrest, driving in Ebb and Flow First Nation.

The officers attempted a traffic stop but the suspect failed to stop for police. Due to public safety concerns, a pursuit was not initiated. The suspect vehicle was located a short distance away as it had entered the ditch at the end of a deadend road. The suspect fled on foot but was apprehended

a short distance away after a foot pursuit.

A 29-year-old female passenger, from Ebb and Flow First Nation, was arrested on scene and later released for court scheduled May 28 in Dauphin.

A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of a loaded sawed-off shotgun.

Jesse St. Paul, 31, of Portage la Prairie, was charged with Operation while Prohibited, Flight from Police and numerous firearms-related offences. He was remanded in to custody for a court appearance scheduled for April 3 in Dauphin.

Ste Rose du Lac RCMP continue to investigate.

God’s Lake Narrows RCMP respond to fatal vehicle-pedestrian collision

On March 28, 2024, at approximately 10:00 pm, God’s Lake Narrows RCMP responded to a report of a vehicle-pedestrian collision that occurred on Wasahak Road in the community.

The investigation has determined

that a commercial water truck, being driven by a 31-year-old female from God’s Lake Narrows, was heading southbound when it struck a 23-yearold male, from God’s Lake Narrows, who was lying on the road. The driver

of the vehicle stopped at the scene and immediately contacted police. The 23-year-old was pronounced deceased at the scene. God’s Lake Narrows RCMP continue to investigate.

Cross Lake RCMP investigate homicide

On March 25, 2024, at approximately 12:30 pm, Cross Lake RCMP received a report of a deceased female inside a residence on SawMill Road in Pimicikamak Cree Nation. Officers attended and located a 45-year-old female deceased. An adult male was arrested at the scene.

The death is being investigated as a homicide. The RCMP Major Crime Services unit as well as the RCMP Forensic Identification Section have been engaged and are in the community.

The investigation continues.

Homicide Bereavement Workshop

The NCN Family and Community Wellness Centre will be offering a homicide bereavement workshop. It will provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals who have experienced tragic losses due to homicide. Through expert facilitation and group discussions, participants will have the opportunity to process their grief, share their experiences, and learn coping strategies to navigate the complexities of bereavement. The workshop aims to offer a sense of community, healing, and empowerment to those in need.

April 12 to 14, 2024

Wechitowin Building, 79 Selkirk Avenue, Thompson, MB

Friday, April 12 - 6:00 pm

Saturday, April 13 - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

If required, we will carry on into the evening for the one-on-one sessions

Sunday, April 14 - 10: 00 to 5:00 pm

We will be offering the following therapeutic sessions:

1. Biomagnetic Therapy- individual sessions

2. Reiki and Sound Therapy -individual sessions

3. Art Therapy Group Sessions

4. Group Therapy on understanding trauma and its triggers

Additionally, participants will be invited to attend our culture camp from June 10 to 14, 2024. Attending a culture camp provides individuals with an opportunity to connect with the land and engage in cultural activities and ceremonies. This connection to their cultural roots can be a powerful tool for therapeutic grieving, as it allows participants to honour their loved ones in a meaningful and traditional way.

To register for the grief and loss workshop please contact Jackie Walker at 1-204-679-5277 or Charlene Kobliski at 204-939-1327

The workshop is hosted by the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Family and Community Wellness Centre and Manitoba Justice Victim Services Program.

Correction: The new face of Thompson Auto Wash

Thompson Auto Wash is undergoing a significant transformation. The establishment will soon be undergoing a rebranding. They’re getting a new look and logo, and their name is changing to Neko’s!

The decision to rebrand comes as a response to the evolving needs and interests of the community.

Thompson Auto Wash changed drastically throughout the years. As they push themselves to meet the needs of their customers, their image and product selection has evolved beyond the offerings expected from a car wash. “Things have changed quite a bit. We aren’t the same store we were when we opened 20 years ago.” says Thethy.

The name change also brings ease of dealing with suppliers and vendors, because of the name Thompson Auto Wash, some companies weren’t even open to discourse. “there was actually a distributor recently that we applied to, and he told me that they only deal with hobby stores. I told him, well we are a hobby store, It’s just the name is Thompson Auto Wash.” Thethy continues that not only is it fitting to change the name for their goals as a store, it’s also very timely! “Another big thing is that it’s our 20th anniversary this year. So we figured may as well do it now.”

When asked where the new name Neko’s originated from, Thethy says “Growing up our family had a pet cat named it Neko.” The name is an omage to him. Thethy states, “He was always around when we played video games, board games, and card games.”

As Neko’s is both a Game Store & Car Wash, they aim to offer patrons a unique experience catering to both vehicle owners and gaming enthusiasts. In addition to their excellent drive-thru touchless car wash and detailing services, Neko’s offers a wide selection of gaming products and accessories. Their shelves are lined with board games, card games, figures, statues, plush toys, trading card games, retro video games, home decor, and other collectibles. With the addition of their play space–which seats 12–the store aims to become an area for hobbyists and gaming enthusiasts to connect, explore, and indulge their passions.

A lot of work and effort has been poured into creating their play space. Neko’s uses it to host multiple events for popular card games. There is at least one event at their store per day. Including official tournaments for the Pokemon Trading Card Game, the One Piece Card Game, and the Dragon Ball Super: Fusion World Card Game. They also host an official

League for Disney’s Lorcana Trading Card Game, and an unofficial league for Magic: The Gathering. In October they will add events for the Bandai’s upcoming Union Arena Card Game.

Neko’s is also the only store in Northern Manitoba to be approved to run official Bandai, Disney, and Pokémon card game events. The biggest events that they have hosted so far were a city-wide Pokémon tournament for Winterfest 2024,

and the Dragon Ball Super: Fusion World Celebrations events held in late February/ early March. Over $500 in prizes were awarded at the Winterfest tournament. Over a $1,000 worth of exclusive promo cards were handed out at the Dragon Ball events. Towards the middle of March, they hosted a pre-release event for One Piece Card Game’s sixth booster set (Wing’s of the Captain). Participants got to open booster packs from the set a week before it was officially released. They used those cards to build decks that they then used to play against each other in a tournament held for the same event.

The transformation from Thompson Auto Wash to Neko’s reflects a broader trend of the business adapting to changing consumer preferences and market demands. By diversifying their offerings and embracing innovation and change, Neko’s is set to thrive in an ever changing marketplace; continuing to

offer not only quality services and products, but also a unique, fun and safe environment for everyone to enjoy.

Please note that our last article contained several inaccuracies: We stated that Neko’s was hosting a Pokemon Junior’s League at the Thompson Public Library. They have not hosted any leagues at the Library since

HAMBLETON, LORNE LESLIE

December 2023. We stated that players could earn “National Credits” at their store. This was not true. We stated that they have a “points system for their tournaments that was previously only offered in Winnipeg”. This is not true. We stated that locals could compete in National level events from their store. This is not true.

OBITUARY

July 17, 1970 – March 23, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lorne Hambleton on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Calgary, AB after a lengthy battle with cancer. He left peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family, just as he wished.

Lorne (also known as “Butch”) was born and raised in Thompson, MB, spending most of his life there until meeting his wife Tamara where they moved to Toronto, ON to start a new life and start a family. His final five years were in Calgary when he decided that extended family was more important for his little girl than the downtown city life.

Lorne is predeceased by his parents, Floyd and Johanna, and leaves to mourn his wife Tamara, daughter Lauren, brother Trevor (Tracey), stepfather Wade, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends and colleagues.

Lorne loved sports, music, and the mountains. He was an avid golfer, starting as a youth at the Thompson Golf Club, a bowler – enjoying Friday night and Sunday leagues, a baseball enthusiast supporting the Blue Jays, and enjoyed his NFL Sundays, fantasy pools, and travelling to seek out events in all areas in cities across the continent. His yearly golf trip to Southern Dunes with the boys was always a highlight of his year. Lorne was passionate about his family and his career. He started his career in the electronics industry and even when living outside of his hometown, people would stop him on the street referencing the Queen of Hearts. He then moved to the mining and procurement industry with Inco/Vale and Minto Metals, again making a positive impact within the industry while making friends and lasting relationships along the way.

Lorne leaves an everlasting impression on us all as he has brought laughter, love, and fun into our lives. A special thanks to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Palliative Home Care, and Paramed Nursing for the exceptional care that was received.

In lieu of flowers, please donate, in Lorne’s memory, to the Jays Care Foundation or the Thompson Golf Club.

A Memorial/Celebration of life will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Evan J Strong Funeral Services (5502 2nd St. SW, Calgary, AB). The family would like to welcome people to come in their Blue Jays or golf attire. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with Lorne’s family through www.evanjstrong.com.

Photos courtesy of Thompson Auto Wash

Hooray for earthworms!

Hooray for earthworms!

Earthworms are slimy creatures that some people find disgusting. However, when you take a closer look, you’ll discover some fascinating things about them. Keep reading to learn more.

EXTRAORDINARY CREATURES

Earthworms are slimy creatures that some people find disgusting. However, when you take a closer look, you’ll discover some fascinating things about them. Keep reading to learn more.

Here’s a short list of characteristics that make earthworms so unique:

EXTRAORDINARY CREATURES

Here’s a short list of characteristics that make earthworms so unique:

(If so, read this quickly!)

• They breathe through their skin.

• They don’t have tails, heads or eyes.

• They don’t have tails, heads or eyes.

• They breathe through their skin.

• They have multiple hearts (four to 10), six kidneys and about 100 segments lined with tiny hairs that allow them to move around.

• They’re hermaphroditic. In other words, they’re both male and female.

• They have multiple hearts (four to 10), six kidneys and about 100 segments lined with tiny hairs that allow them to move around.

ALLIES FOR PLANTS

• They’re hermaphroditic. In other words, they’re both male and female.

ALLIES FOR PLANTS

Earthworms eat organic matter, such as grass clippings, dead leaves and fungi. They take this organic matter from the surface of the soil and carry it underground. This movement increases the nutritional value of the soil, which plants love.

Earthworms eat organic matter, such as grass clippings, dead leaves and fungi. They take this organic matter from the surface of the soil and carry it underground. This movement increases the nutritional value of the soil, which plants love.

Additionally, by digging tunnels, earthworms aerate the soil and make it easier for water to penetrate. This encourages seeds to germinate and the roots of flowers and vegetables to grow, among other things. Plus, earthworm droppings make great fertilizer. Knowing all this, it’s no wonder most gardeners love them.

The next time you see an earthworm, remember that it’s as useful as it is extraordinary.

Additionally, by digging tunnels, earthworms aerate the soil and make it easier for water to penetrate. This encourages seeds to germinate and the roots of flowers and vegetables to grow, among other things. Plus, earthworm droppings make great fertilizer. Knowing all this, it’s no wonder most gardeners love them.

The next time you see an earthworm, remember that it’s as useful as it is extraordinary.

Do you lack self-confidence?

Are you always comparing yourself to others? Do you think you’re never good enough? Do you stop yourself from doing things that interest you for fear of failing? The good news is that self-confidence can be learned.

MAKE A LIST

Are you always comparing yourself to others? Do you think you’re never good enough? Do you stop yourself from doing things that interest you for fear of failing? The good news is that self-confidence can be learned.

MAKE A LIST

Start by making a list of your qualities and successes. Are you a good drawer? Does everyone tell you have a beautiful singing voice? Do you swim like a mermaid? Do you get good grades at school? Do you help others a lot? Write all this down on a piece of paper. Every time you doubt yourself, reread this list to remind yourself what an extraordinary person you are.

TRY THESE TIPS

Start by making a list of your qualities and successes. Are you a good drawer? Does everyone tell you have a beautiful singing voice? Do you swim like a mermaid? Do you get good grades at school? Do you help others a lot? Write all this down on a piece of paper. Every time you doubt yourself, reread this list to remind yourself what an extraordinary person you are.

Try these strategies to improve your self-confidence:

TRY THESE TIPS

Try these strategies to improve your self-confidence:

• Set yourself small challenges to get out of your comfort zone. For example, try signing up for an extracurricular activity or talking to someone who seems to have something in common with you.

• Set yourself small challenges to get out of your comfort zone. For example, try signing up for an extracurricular activity or talking to someone who seems to have something in common with you.

• Spend as much time as possible with people who love you and believe in you. Stay away from friends who make fun of you or criticize your choices.

• Spend as much time as possible with people who love you and believe in you. Stay away from friends who make fun of you or criticize your choices.

• Don’t try to be someone you’re not just to gain acceptance and always express your feelings sincerely. In other words, be yourself.

• Don’t try to be someone you’re not just to gain acceptance and always express your feelings sincerely. In other words, be yourself.

• Repeat positive affirmations to encourage yourself. For example, you could say, “I’m capable” or “I can do it.”

• Repeat positive affirmations to encourage yourself. For example, you could say, “I’m capable” or “I can do it.”

Are you paralyzed by your lack of self-confidence?

Are you paralyzed by your lack of self-confidence? Some specialists can help. Talk to your parents about making an appointment for you.

Some specialists can help. Talk to your parents about making an appointment for you.

4

April Fools' jokes that aren't mean

4 April Fools' jokes that aren't mean

Do you like making jokes and playing tricks? To celebrate April 1st try these funny ideas that aren’t mean at all.

1. Make Jell-O cocktails. Secretly make some Jell-O. Then, pour it into pretty glasses, add a few berries and put it in the fridge. A few hours later, or the next day, serve your cocktails and see how people react when they try to take a sip.

Do you like making jokes and playing tricks? To celebrate April 1st, try these funny ideas that aren’t mean at all.

1. Make Jell-O cocktails. Secretly make some Jell-O. Then, pour it into pretty glasses, add a few berries and put it in the fridge. A few hours later, or the next day, serve your cocktails and see how people react when they try to take a sip.

toothpaste or a carton of milk, that will be used during the day by the people you want to trick. What a simple and fun idea!

2. Glue fake eyes on products. Do you have plastic googly eyes in your craft supplies? Stick them on objects, like a tube of toothpaste or a carton of milk, that will be used during the day by the people you want to trick. What a simple and fun idea!

Imagine your parents’ surprise when they discover pictures of funny fish, for example, instead of photos of your family on holidays or Christmas.

3. Swap photos in their frames. Imagine your parents’ surprise when they discover pictures of funny fish, for example, instead of photos of your family on holidays or Christmas.

4. Dress silly. On the morning of April 1st, put on clothes that don’t match or wear them inside out. You could even give yourself a funny hairdo. At lunch, tell your family that this is your new style. When everyone starts giving their opinion, shout “April Fool’s!”

4. Dress silly. On the morning of April 1st, put on clothes that don’t match or wear them inside out. You could even give yourself a funny hairdo. At lunch, tell your family that this is your new style. When everyone starts giving their opinion, shout “April Fool’s!”

Remember that jokes should make people laugh or smile, not angry, hurt or scared.

Remember that jokes should make people laugh or smile, not angry, hurt or scared.

The photos and images in this issue are available to download in black & white and in a larger size from the online page folder.

Hooray for earthworms!

Earthworms are slimy creatures that some people find disgusting. However, when you take a closer look, you’ll discover some fascinating things about them. Keep reading to learn more.

EXTRAORDINARY CREATURES

Here’s a short list of characteristics that make earthworms so unique:

Hooray for earthworms!

Is maple syrup good or bad for you? Learn the whole truth about this sweet treat

MAPLE SYRUP IS A TYPE OF SUGAR...

• They breathe through their skin.

• They don’t have tails, heads or eyes.

• They have multiple hearts (four to 10), six kidneys and about 100 segments lined with tiny hairs that allow them to move around.

• They’re hermaphroditic. In other words, they’re both male and female.

ALLIES FOR PLANTS

Do you love drizzling maple syrup over your pancakes, waffles or French toast? If you’re wondering whether it’s a good idea to put maple syrup on everything, here are a few things you need to know about this delicious, sweet treat.

Whether golden, amber, dark or very dark in colour, there’s no denying that maple syrup is very sweet. However, a tablespoon of syrup contains fewer calories than a tablespoon of refined white sugar. However, as you know, eating too much sugar can damage your teeth, make you sick and cause you to put on weight.

…THAT HAS VARIOUS BENEFITS

That said, if you compare maple syrup to other sugars, it has various benefits that others don’t. For example, it contains minerals, like calcium, magnesium and potassium, as well as vitamins and antioxidants that can help prevent certain diseases. What’s more, a recent study by Laval University showed that maple syrup can help with diabetes and high blood pressure, among other things.

(If so, read this quickly!)

Earthworms eat organic matter, such as grass clippings, dead leaves and fungi. They take this organic matter from the surface of the soil and carry it underground. This movement increases the nutritional value of the soil, which plants love.

The human body:

4 April Fools' jokes that aren't mean

Do you like making jokes and playing tricks? To celebrate April 1st try these funny ideas that aren’t mean at all.

If you go to school, you can probably name most of the parts of your body. However, it would be surprising if you knew the five following facts. You’ll be amazed!

1. If you were to lay out all the blood vessels, the little “pipes” that allow blood to circulate, of an average-sized adult end-to-end, they would stretch to about 160,000 kilometres.

Additionally, by digging tunnels, earthworms aerate the soil and make it easier for water to penetrate. This encourages seeds to germinate and the roots of flowers and vegetables to grow, among other things. Plus, earthworm droppings make great fertilizer. Knowing all this, it’s no wonder most gardeners love them.

The next time you see an earthworm, remember that it’s as useful as it is extraordinary.

So, is maple syrup good for you? The answer is yes, but only in small quantities!

2. Human bones are very strong. In fact, experts say they’re stronger than steel. Your femurs, the long bones at the top of your legs, can support 30 times the weight of the average person.

3. If you went into space, your body would grow by about four centimetres because there’s no gravity. When you return to Earth, you’ll shrink back to your regular size.

Do you lack self-confidence?

4. When you sneeze, the air coming out of your nose can travel at speeds of 50 km/h

Are you always comparing yourself to others? Do you think you’re never good enough? Do you stop yourself from doing things that interest you for fear of failing? The good news is that self-confidence can be learned.

Did you know that Quebec is the world’s largest producer of maple syrup? It supplies around 70 per cent of the world’s total production.

MAKE A LIST

TRY THESE TIPS

Try these strategies to improve your self-confidence:

1. Make Jell-O cocktails. Secretly make some Jell-O. Then, pour it into pretty glasses, add a few berries and put it in the fridge. A few hours later, or the next day, serve your cocktails and see how people react when they try to take a sip.

or more. Additionally, it’s very difficult to sneeze with your eyes open. Closing your eyelids is your body’s protective reflex.

5. Small flakes of dead skin fall off your body every day. This is completely normal! By the end of your life, you’ll have lost between 20 and 60 kilograms of it.

Read books, magazines or encyclopedias on anatomy or biology to discover more fascinating secrets about the human body.

2. Glue fake eyes on products. Do you have plastic googly eyes in your craft supplies? Stick them on objects, like a tube of toothpaste or a carton of milk, that will be used during the day by the people you want to trick. What a simple and fun idea!

Don't play with your old toys anymore? Here's what you can do with them!

Start by making a list of your qualities and successes. Are you a good drawer? Does everyone tell you have a beautiful singing voice? Do you swim like a mermaid? Do you get good grades at school? Do you help others a lot? Write all this down on a piece of paper. Every time you doubt yourself, reread this list to remind yourself what an extraordinary person you are.

Do you have lots of stuffed toys, toy cars, animal figurines and dolls you don’t play with anymore? Here are a few ways you can give them a second life.

• Set yourself small challenges to get out of your comfort zone. For example, try signing up for an extracurricular activity or talking to someone who seems to have something in common with you.

• Don’t try to be someone you’re not just to gain acceptance and always express your feelings sincerely. In other words, be yourself.

• Repeat positive affirmations to encourage yourself. For example, you could say, “I’m capable” or “I can do it.”

Are you paralyzed by your lack of self-confidence?

Some specialists can help. Talk to your parents about making an appointment for you.

• Sell them. Are your toys in great condition and look almost new? With your parent’s permission, you can sell them online (on a classified ads site) or at a garage sale. You can keep the money to buy something else, like a skateboard or video game, or use it for something else, like travelling when you’re older.

• Spend as much time as possible with people who love you and believe in you. Stay away from friends who make fun of you or criticize your choices.

• Donate them. If your toys are clean and aren’t broken, you can do a good deed by taking them to a local donation centre. They’ll bring joy to the lives of children whose families don’t have enough money to buy new toys.

• Exchange them. Organize a toy exchange with children of all ages, like your cousins. This way, everyone will be able to score some new toys and get rid of the ones they no longer use. Great, isn’t it?

• Transform them. You can find lots of ideas for transforming your toys into works of art or practical objects online. For example, a dinosaur figurine can become a jewellery stand or a doll’s head can be transformed into a planter. Use your imagination!

How will you keep your toys from ending up in the garbage?

The photos and images in this issue are available to download in black & white and in a larger size from the online page folder.

5 facts that will WOW you NEWSPAPER TOOLBOX /

3. Swap photos in their frames. Imagine your parents’ surprise when they discover pictures of funny fish, for example, instead of photos of your family on holidays or Christmas.

4. Dress silly. On the morning of April 1st, put on clothes that don’t match or wear them inside out. You could even give yourself a funny hairdo. At lunch, tell your family that this is your new style. When everyone starts giving their opinion, shout “April Fool’s!”

Remember that jokes should make people laugh or smile, not angry, hurt or scared.

Hooray for earthworms!

BY MIRANDA LEYBOURNE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, BRANDON SUN

Thanks to newly announced funding from the Manitoba Association of Watersheds, Agriculture in the Classroom- Manitoba will be able to continue its programming in schools across the province.

Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba (AITC-M) provides curriculum-based programming that connects students and teachers from Kindergarten to Grade 12 with the world of agriculture and all that encompasses, including business, science and technology, engineering and math, the creative arts, economics, farming, culture, social studies and more.

On Thursday, the Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) announced $40,000 that will be delivered to AITC-M over the next three years. The MAW represents Manitoba’s 14 watershed districts, and in partnering with AITC-M, both organizations will be able to educate young people across the province about agriculture and water stewardship and why it’s important.

As the Sun previously reported, March is Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM). Starting this

month, AITC-M has been introducing a “Caring for OurWatersheds” resource to early years classrooms across the province to engage students in Grades 2 to 4 about water education. The students learned why watersheds are important, what Manitoba farmers can do to keep them healthy, and what every Manitoban can do to protect them.

Manitoba’s watershed districts are committed to improving watershed literacy within local communities in Manitoba, said Lynda Nicol, executive director of MAW.

“We at MAW are thrilled to have the opportunity to build on that principle province- wide through our partnership with AITC-M,” she said. “We are honoured to work alongside them to build watershed resources into their lesson plans.”

Individual watershed districts have long been supporters of AITC-M and it’s goals of educating students in Manitoba about agriculture, Nicol said. “Watershed districts are really dedicated to providing balanced education within their jurisdictions and within their local communities, and many of them have worked with AITC-M before,” she said. “But this new three-year partnership was made on

JOB POSTING

Part-Time Counselors Level 1

Sixteen (16) hours/week (1) (Days)

We are a 24/7 facility, so shifts include days, evenings and weekends

The successful client will have a working understanding of Domestic and/or Family violence and related issues. Have one or more years of counseling experience, preferably in the area of crisis intervention or domestic/family violence, with some professional training i.e. Applied Counseling Certificate and/or relevant post-secondary education (Social work, Nursing or work-related experience).

Have a current CPR and First Aide or willing to obtain and recent Child abuse registry/Criminal record check. Valid Driver’s license or willing to obtain. Must be able to work cross-culturally, the ability to speak a second language is an asset. Have an understanding and respect of LGBTQ1 issues and the vulnerable sectors.

Be willing to work shift work (days, afternoons, and nights) on weekends and stat holidays as required.

Be reliable, dependable, flexible, and punctual and have a good work ethic. If you are interested in applying for a position please submit an up to date resume to the Program Manager Christine Fenner/or Executive Director Helen Trudeau. Applications are due by March 15/2024 by 4 pm.

Duties include but are not limited to; performing minor electrical, plumbing and carpentry duties. Snow removal, landscaping and oversight of the interior and exterior of the property. Troubleshoot, plan for and/or coordinate repairs. The successful candidate has experience in a maintenancerelated field. Able to communicate effectively. Demonstrate their ability to work independently. Be considerate of, and display excellent customer service, when interacting with residents and clients.

Must have valid drivers license, own vehicle and cell phone – monthly gas and cell phone stipend provided.

Send resume to Nina Cordell, Executive Director 39 Nickel Road, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 0Y5 or email executivedirector@ywcathompson.com

behalf of our team members to further the inclusion of watershed resources with AITC-M.”

It’s important that children are educated from a young age and then consistently throughout their time at school about watersheds, because it helps to encourage their understanding and foster a sense of ownership and community to recognize the role that they can play in improving how water is managed, Nicol said.

“As a long-term goal … we’re very aligned with AITC-M in that we’re looking to educate children at a young enough age and with repeated contact throughout their school careers, so that when they graduate they understand that there are career opportunities available to them in agriculture and that those career opportunities can be and are environmentally sustainable.”

water needs to be protected and conserved appropriately, and all water users must respect the systems that are in place to protect watersheds, Nicol said. The more informed children are, the more likely they are to explore the topic on their own, whether out of their own curiosity or as future studies at college or university and in their career paths.

Louisiana PacificSwan Valley General Labourers

Watershed and agricultural knowledge are interconnected, said Executive Director of AITC-M Katharine Cherewyk.

Louisiana-Pacific, Employer of Choice, a leader in the forest products industry known for the development of innovative, affordable, environmentally friendly building products and for excellence in Safety and Quality is currently seeking Labourers at our Swan Valley SmartSide®, Swan Valley, Minitonas operation.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate must possess the following qualifications;

• Good written and verbal communication skills

• Physically fit to perform all duties

• Ability to multitask and problem solve

• Ability to operate equipment as required

• Computer literacy will be considered an asset

• Valid driver’s license

• Shiftwork

Manitoba has an abundance of water, but that

R8N 0Y5 or email executivedirector@ywcathompson.com Deadline to apply is April 19, 2024. Wednesday, January 31, 2018

be able to use the resources to take a deeper dive into the ways that agriculture and watershed stewardship is linked and discover proactive measures the agriculture community is undertaking to protect the future of the province’s watersheds.

“We really are enriching the understanding of students about what happens in our community, and [are] guiding them towards sustainable actions, but also [towards] thinking about how those actions create conditions to have food

“We are so grateful for the MAW’s support. This partnership is a testament to what can be achieved when organizations come together for the greater good,” she said.

In addition to the watershed education that is taking place this month for CALM, AITC-M is already planning more watershed resources and content for students in middle school and high school. These students will

The successful candidates will join a dynamic team in providing support to the facility located in the beautiful Swan River Valley as it embarks on a new and exciting journey of producing siding for a growing market.

on their plate as well,” Cherewyk said.

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All of the materials that AITC-M provide schools with is completely free, and supplemented by visits from people who fill many different roles in the agriculture industry. Teachers are able to adapt the materials into their curriculum and use it repeatedly with new students, Cherewyk said.

“We’re just getting lots of really great feedback about the resources and visits from volunteers who do the resources with them.”

JOB POSTING

Counselor Level 1 Casual

The successful client will have a working understanding of Domestic and/or Family violence and related issues. Have one or more years of counseling experience, preferably in the area of crisis intervention or domestic/family violence, with some professional training i.e. Applied Counseling Certificate and/or relevant post-secondary education (Social work, Nursing or work-related experience).

Louisiana-Pacific offers a competitive wage and benefit package in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. LouisianaPacific is an equal opportunity employer.

JOB POSTING

We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates will be subject to successful completion of comprehensive background screening and health checks.

(1) Full-time Children’s Counselor

Forty (40) hours/week

Please forward your cover letter and resume to: Lorraine Schneider

The successful client will have a working understanding of Domestic and/or Family violence and related issues. Have one or more years of counseling experience, preferably in the area of crisis intervention or domestic/family violence, with some professional training i.e. Applied Counseling Certificate and/or relevant post-secondary education (Social work, Nursing or work-related experience).

Have a current CPR and First Aide or willing to obtain and recent Child abuse registry/Criminal record check. Valid Driver’s license or willing to obtain. Must be able to work cross-culturally, the ability to speak a second language is an asset. Have an understanding and respect of LGBTQ1 issues and the vulnerable sectors. Must have experience working with children and develop programming i.e. Parenting skills, Play groups, Art and Music therapies etc.

Be willing to work shift work: including days, afternoons, nights, weekends and stat holidays if required

Be reliable, dependable, flexible, and punctual and have a good work ethic.

If you are interested in applying for a position please submit an up to date resume to the Program Manager Christine Fenner/or Executive Director Helen Trudeau. Posted until position is filled.

Northern Health Region policies and procedures.

The Residence Assistant will report to the Executive Director and be responsible for administrative duties regarding the daily operations of the Reception, Food Services, Finance and Housekeeping departments of the YWCA residence in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures. Duties include but are not limited to; working with the Finance Officer to complete daily cash transactions, bank deposits and reconciliations, coordinating invoicing procedures, ordering supplies, and calculating monthly statistics. They will maintain up-to-date schedules, staffing lists and space bookings.

The successful candidate has experience in an administrative-related field. Able to communicate effectively.

Have a current CPR and First Aide or willing to obtain and recent Child abuse registry/Criminal record check. Valid Driver’s license or willing to obtain. Must be able to work cross-culturally, the ability to speak a second language is an asset. Have an understanding and respect of LGBTQ1 issues and the vulnerable sectors.

Be willing to work shift work: including days, afternoons, nights, weekends and stat holidays as required.

Be reliable, dependable, flexible, and punctual and have a good work ethic. If you are interested in applying for a position please submit an up to date resume to the Program Manager Christine Fenner/or Executive Director Helen Trudeau. Applications are due by March 15, 2023 by 4 pm.

JOB POSTING

Marcel Colomb First Nation Health Authority is seeking a qualified individual to fulfill the role of Home Care Nurse. Job Summary

Full-Time Day Care Worker

While hours are anticipated to be typically 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., there will be a minimum of one evening per week of programming. Also, please note that in order to meet the needs of clients, flexible shifts are required. This position involves working in close collaboration with the Children’s Counselor in providing/assisting in child-minding services for emergency, transition and the outreach program. The position will also involve working closely with the Counselors on both the E-floor and Transition floor in the scheduling of the individual and groups sessions.

This includes providing a safe and healthy environment, planning and implementing on-site and off-site activities i.e. crafts/music/baking and play therapy. Must be able to provide nutritious snacks. Other responsibilities include cleaning/sanitizing and inputting stats into HIFIS.

If you are interested in applying for this position or require further information with respect to nature of the position, qualifications, required knowledge, education and skills*, please contact Helen Trudeau (Executive Director) or Christine Fenner (Program Manager) by March 15/2024 by 4 pm.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Home Care Manager, the Home Care Nurse is responsible for promoting, protecting & preserving the health of Marcel Colomb community members through services directed to home care clients. The Home Care Nurse provides holistic care & practices nursing as defined by the Registered Nurses Act & in compliance with the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba Standards of Practice & Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics; cares for & directs the overall care of clients; is responsible for advocating, providing information, educating & supporting clients to ensure that the highest possible standard of service is provided; follows Marcel Colomb policies & procedures; works in a multidisciplinary team & may be called upon to assist with other duties within the scope of the department. Position Requirements:

• Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical

be the lifeline in our remote bush camp during Summit Reforestation and BGPP’s silviculture operations. Your primary focus will be supporting workers facing intersectional challenges, providing a compassionate and culturally safe environment.

Education and Skill Requirements:

• Bachelor’s in social work or counselling, related Post-Secondary Education, or equivalent training/experience.

• Experience in supporting and managing PTSD and Addiction.

• Proficient in Harm Reduction.

• Must hold a valid Driver’s License.

Compensation: $5000.00 a month with accommodation and three daily meals provided.

How to Apply: Deadline March 31st, 2024.

Email farron@summitplanting.com with your cover letter and resume. For more details and a full job description please email farron@summitplanting.com

Join us in making a positive impact in the wilderness–apply now and be a part of our transformative journey!

BY RYAN KIEDROWSKI, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THE WORLD-SPECTATOR

It’s an intense but effective initiative promising to propel participants from having no experience in the trades to being job ready— all in under two weeks.

That’s the goal of a new study being funded by the federal government on the Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation to the tune of $352,500, part of a larger announcement on March 6 that saw Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships devote a total of $10.4 million to seven mining projects.

“Government, over the last two decades, has done a pretty darn good job of training up Indigenous people and getting them ready for the workforce and the work environment,” said Greg Farney, co-founder of Straight Talk Advisory and Training. “The one thing that we’ve all failed at is we haven’t got the workforce ready for the Indigenous people.”

STAAT is partnering with BSDN to implement the Indigenous STARS (Strategic Training and Recruitment Solutions) program, which has a target goal of reaching out to 80 Indigenous communities across the three prairie provinces.

Farney is no stranger to BSDN and has partnered with them previously on other projects.

“We’ve been working with Birdtail for close to 15 years, probably. So we understand each other, and they agreed to be the sponsor. So we submitted (the proposal to government), it took about six months and then got the funding,” he said.

“Birdtail was a natural fit because of their location in Manitoba,” Farney explained. “They’re right on two mainline corridors being the TranCanada as well as Enbridge’s rightof-way. They’re right on the corridors of the northsouth transmission lines that are projects taking place in Manitoba. It’s a very small community, but they’ve been very proactive, getting engaged both from an employment as well as business perspective in the project.”

Recognizing the need for more people working in the trades is not a new concept, and with a large number of current workers close to retirement, the number of job openings will only continue to grow. Some numbers Farney has come across esti-

Under the supervision of the Director of Education & Training, the Training & Employment Program Assistant will be required to maintain accurate financial records and provide support to the Training & Employment Coordinator and Employment & Training Workers in KTC Communities. Provide regular financial reports to the KTC First Nations and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak ISET Program on the Employment & Training budgets for KTC. (Includes Consolidated Revenue Fund & Employment Insurance Programs).

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Formal training in the area of Business Administration.

• Experience in maintaining financial records, individual files, financial reports (monthly, quarterly and annual).

• Knowledge of the various programs and guidelines under the Indigenous Skills & Employment Training Program (ISET).

• Knowledge of the eligibility and reporting requirements of the ISET.

• Ability to work independently.

• Must have experience in working with Excel Programs, ARMS/ PRIME Database and be computer literate.

• Must be able to travel to remote northern communities to work with Training & Employment Workers.

• Valid driver’s license for the Province of Manitoba is an asset.

• Ability to speak either Cree or Dene is an asset. Salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience. A comprehensive benefits package is provided. A complete job description can be obtained by calling (204) 677-2341 or Aggie Weenusk, Director of Education & Training at (204) 677- 0399. Interested candidates are invited to submit in confidence a resume with references and a letter of application to: Lisa Beardy, Office Manager 23 Nickel Road Thompson, Manitoba R8N OY4

mates a need for upwards of 56,000 new trades people over the coming decade.

“One of the big elements is identifying how many people are out there that want to be involved in the trades,” Farney said. “How many people have meaningful employment opportunities at the end of it, which the stats show there should be more than enough.”

With the need for meaningful employment established, more than enough room to accommodate an influx of new and motivated workers, plus funding for a program to train them, it was time to link all the pieces together with action.

“So you have this massive opportunity between what the industry needs and what First Nations and Indigenous communities can bring to the industry, but no one’s talking to each other,” Farney remarked. The cost of training was another huge barrier as traditional methods can easily run thousands of dollars just to become certified in a particular field.

“Unfortunately, what

most people don’t realize is, if you decide to go to be a bulldozer operator right now, you fork out the $25,000, no one’s going to hire you to be an operator right out of the gate,” Farney said. “You have to be a greaser and an oiler and all that stuff for six months before they put you on the equipment. So there’s a lot of misunderstanding.”

Enter Indigenous STARS and its fast-paced, hands-on approach.

“Through our experience, to get a person ready to be an entry-level labourer, for an industrial work environment, that takes about 12 days,” Farney said, walking through what a typical training day would look like. “Very intense days. We treat the training as if it’s a workday. So you’re out of bed bright and early at 6 am. You’re at the at the training camp for 7:30 that starts off with a tailgate meeting— like it would in any industrial situation. You’re going to learn about what’s going to happen that day, what safety hazards to be wise

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

FULL TIME

Under the direction of the CEO of Keewatin Tribal Council, the Economic Development Officer will lead a collaborative approach to develop, implement and monitor an actionable economic growth and development strategy with annual planning/review that considers short and long-term objectives and groundwork. The economic growth and development strategy is twofold:

• Tribal Council membership-led initiatives and opportunities (Eleven Nations)

• Tribal Council-led initiatives and opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree/Certificate in Post secondary education in business, community and economic development or a related discipline.

• Minimum of 5 years experience in economic development and planning.

• Developing, implementing and managing economic growth and development strategies and projects

• Developing and maintaining business relationships

• Identifying and analyzing business opportunities and industry trends

• Interpreting policies, legislation, procedures, regulations, reports, and correspondence

• Crafting correspondence, reports, business development plans.

• Experiencing in developing, implementing and managing economic growth and development strategies and projects

• Experiencing in development and maintaining business relationships

• Identifying and analyzing business opportunities and industry trends

• Should be aware of Indigenous culture, lifestyles and spiritual beliefs;

• The ability to speak Ininew or Dene is an asset;

• Must have a valid Driver’s License and access to vehicle.

• Provide a currently clear Criminal Records Check and Fingerprints, Child and Vulnerable persons checks.

A written cover letter with detailed resume, including at least two (2) references with written permission to contact the references and your latest immediate supervisor should be submitted to:

Lisa Beardy, Office Manager 23 Nickel Road Thompson, Manitoba R8N OY4

Email: lbeardy@ktc.ca Fax: 204 677-0256 Applications will be accepted until 4:00 pm, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024.

to, all those types of things. Then we spend about 20 per cent of our time in theory, talking in a classroom environment about what tools are going to be used, what things are going to happen, learning how to do heavy lifts, things like that. And then going out for the balance of the day, hands on full size equipment.”

The fast-paced training program has already been tested in other places, effectively posting people in fulfilling careers and changing lives in the process. For BSDN, that means trained carpenters, electricians and plumbers not only being established close to home, but the potential to fill another job shortage in the process.

Farney pointed to major turnaround and maintenance

projects at large-scale facilities such as Suncor (who were looking for 14,000 workers in a turnaround last year). They’re short-term, require skilled individuals, and a lot of them.

“You can imagine when you’re trying to find 6,000 pipefitters for six weeks, it’s pretty tough,” he said, noting that current recruitment brings this skilled labour from overseas instead of hiring within Canada. Utilizing people trained and ready to work through Indigenous STARS for these projects would add bonus income to their already established careers, perhaps even coinciding with a slower season.

Given all the pieces aligning, BSDN is certainly poised for great future opportunities.

AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA

UNIT/OFFICE: KEEWATINO/YATTHE

GHE FAMILY ENHANCEMENT CENTRE

LOCATION: THOMPSON,

Position: Post Majority Worker North

One (1) Full Time Permanent position

The Post Majority Worker N is a member of the Post Majority Support Services (PMSS) and the Transition Programs, and is responsible for providing a wide range of Post Majority Child & Family Services.

This includes assisting youth who are transitioning out of care, and youth who have previously transitioned out of care to use the Post Majority Support Services program. Reconnecting youth to their families and communities, assisting them with navigating and accessing system services relevant to training, life skills, housing, and employability skills.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree with experience in child welfare preferred or an equivalent combination of experience and training may be considered.

• Strong commitment to community-based service delivery.

• Working knowledge of CFS legislation, standards, and issues.

• Demonstrated understanding of the needs of youth who are in care.

• Knowledge of the Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, Youth, and families

• Demonstrated knowledge of collateral services/community resources and how to access.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Northern Indigenous communities.

• Ability to speak Cree/Dene an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Community-based, child welfare and independent living environment.

• Hours of work will be variable based on participant and programming needs.

• Access to highly sensitive information for which confidentiality must be preserved.

• Satisfactory Criminal Record, Driver’s Abstract, Child Abuse Registry and Prior Contact checks prior to starting the position and throughout employment as required.

• Travel required approximately 50% of the time. Most travel will be overnight and by small aircraft, train, and ferry to remote northern communities.

Salary: Awasis Agency offers a competitive salary and employee benefit package. Salary will commensurate with education and experience

Closing Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Awasis Agency provides service to Indigenous children and families, therefore preference will be given to Indigenous applicants. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify. Individuals interested in this challenging opportunity

a golf course, a ski hill, numerous boating and fishing areas, two ice arenas, public library, indoor swimming complex, great schools, a university campus, a live theatre, and many more amenities to satisfy any lifestyle.

The Thompson Citizen is part of the Prairie Newspaper Group, which is a division of

QUALIFICATIONS

This editorial position requires an organized individual who works well on his or her own as well as with a team. They need to be dedicated and diligent with a strong work ethic. He or she must have a degree or diploma in journalism or have at least five years’ experience in newspaper journalism. Experience in photography is necessary. Candidates for this position must have a valid driver license and a reliable vehicle. Kilometers are tracked and the journalist will be reimbursed.

THOMPSON CITIZEN RESOURCE GUIDE