Nickel Belt News
Volume 58 Number 11
Friday, March 16, 2018
Thompson, Manitoba
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Volume 63 • Issue 7
Stacy Kennedy first woman appointed as permanent head of Vale Manitoba Operations BY IAN GRAHAM
EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
its health, risk and safety manager, a chief mine geologist and an operations superintendent, among other roles. She served as interim general manager of Manitoba Operations briefly in 2021, between the time that Franco Cazzola left the company and Annett took over the job. In early 2019, she was the interim manager of Thompson mines before Gary Eyres was named the head of Manitoba Operations in March of that year. Since Mark Scott left the company in 2018 following the permanent shutdown of the smelter and refinery, no one has remained as head of Manitoba Operations for longer than Annett, who was in the role for a little less than two years. “The company has been changing management personnel on a consistent basis so this move is no surprise to both the union or our membership," said Warren Luky, president of United Steelworkers Local 6166, which represents about 550 hourly employees of Manitoba Operations, acknowledging Kennedy’s long tenure in Thompson. “We at least have a local manager now that lives here to champion the Manitoba Operations.” “Stacy’s experience working in a variety of roles in our Manitoba Operations and her knowledge of the community make her a great fit for this role,’ said Alfredo Santana, chief operating officer for Vale’s North Atlantic operations. “We’re excited to have her lead the team.”
Book a way to preserve and pass on memories of growing up in Churchill
Vale’s Manitoba Operations will be permanently overseen by a woman for the first time come March 1, when Stacy Kennedy takes over the top job in Thompson. Kennedy, who has previously served as interim general manager of Manitoba Operations and interim mine manager, inherits the role from Gary Annett, who is returning to his home of Sudbury, Ontario, where he will continue to work for the company, said a Feb. 22 Vale Canada press release. “I’m really excited to be taking on this role at a time when there’s a real shift happening in the mining industry,” said Kennedy in a press release. “We’re seeing a much greater focus on diversity and inclusion as well as a greater commitment to our Indigenous communities and my goal is to use this opportunity to ensure our Manitoba Operations continue to follow this positive shift.” A professional geologist and a resident of Thompson and Vale employee since 2007, Kennedy isn’t new to breaking ground for women in this province’s mining industry, having been named the first female president of the Mining Association of Manitoba in June of last year. Since joining Vale after having previously worked for the government of Newfoundland’s Department of Natural Resources, the Memorial University of Newfoundland graduate has served Manitoba Operations as
Thompson Citizen file photo Vale Canada announced Feb. 22 that Stacy Kennedy will take over as head of the company’s Manitoba Operations on March 1.
David Campbell wins Lynn Lake mayoral byelection responsibilities of mayor ness for the town is comand council on Oct. 27 and missioning its new water For the second time in town administration was treatment plant that is less than four months, tasked with re-running a nearing completion.”I know David Campbell has been municipal election as soon the community is looking elected mayor of Lynn Lake as possible. forward to the time we can and this time he actually Six council candidates turn on those taps and drink got to assume his position registered for the Feb. 15 the water again,” Campbell as the northwestern Mani- byelection, with Eugene said. Nickel Belt News photo by Ian Graham toba municipality’s head Shin,northern Tyler Hunt, Addictions Foundation of of Manitoba directorAnne Gisele deMeulles has written a book about her experiences growing up, mostly in Churchill. council. Kenny Thompson and Vicki who served to Phillips all receiving over ‘Oh, BYCampbell, IAN GRAHAM For all the harsh weather write things that you have I’m justCitizen as bad, Thompson fileright?’ photo was not a very safe thing swallow when people say on the town’s council from to 100 votesout. apiece to become EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET have all these stories figure It’s pretty clear IThe Town of Lynn Lakeand is to do but I jumped at it. I that Churchill residents and the dangers of polar 2018 to 2022, 111 when councillors. Mitch Skom- Ionce Though she’sreceived now written I get through.” needagain to capture them for thought that was exciting should just find somewhere bears, deMeulles said if it being overseen votes defeather fellow can- orowski andsaid Ashley Mo- my grandchildren really until the plane landed and easier to live. a booktoabout experienDeMeulles she wrote had been viable she would by a mayor and council after didate Brandon reaubook, weretitled the unsuccessful ces growing up inDulewich, Churchill, her Whispers in because they will be lost if they started throwing the “To say, ‘Those people have moved back to Churcha Feb. 15 byelection. A provwho receivedFoundation 82 votes. The Addictions of candidates. the Wind: Stories from the I don’t.” fuel off and I realized, ‘Holy choose to live there. They ill in a heartbeat. appointed adminis- cats, I was probably sitting should just leave,’ is quite winning Campbell the winManitobacandidate northernreceived director North - Life inand Churchill for incially She also has a reputation “I miss the shoreline, I was in charge 19 more votes in the Feb. 15 ning council candidates trator Gisele deMeulles said writa couple of reasons. as a storyteller herself.since on a bomb.’” simplistic. It’s quite disre- miss the rock, I miss the there were byelection he didshe on were sworn in of at the Lynn Oct. ing wasn’t than something “I just sort thought, “I 27 hadbecause such a varied hisAnother thing that spectful. If we were in the polar bears even though Oct. 26 thought of last year, when you Lakeknow Arenawhat, the day too few of council always she would this after his- tory andmembers I would tell people spurred her on was the same boat in another area they’re very dangerous and he beat former mayor and tory, the election and theirinfirst do. this stuff that’s my stories andfall’s theyelection would go, after last to hard times facing Churchill I think we would scream I really miss the Hudson Brandon’s fatherI Audie formalit’s council will ‘That’s “In my youth never head, goingmeeting to be gone true, is it?’ I’d go, since the Hudson Bay Rail- about that so why don’t they Bay,” she says. “When I go form a not quorum. Dulewich in awriting,” 92-65 vote. beI don’t held Feb. in council felt good at she if write28 it down,” she ‘Yeah it’s true.’ They’d go, way suspended operations have the option to do that? back home, standing on the That“But election, chambers at the of- ‘You didn’t do all that, did north of Gillam last spring. I think right now they’re Hudson Bay looking out on said. when however, I moved said. “My kids aretown not gowasThompson essentially to a formality fice.toThe to get into ing get appointment it if I don’t doof it you? You’ve got to be really “It used to be a really feeling like they’re pawns the bay, it just gives you an and Campbell was work, never the would the school of social and administrator it’s something I’ve al- old.’ I was like, ‘No, actually thriving large community in a political game and that’s incredible sense. You feel so sworn Instead, be revoked Campat that in. point I had because to write ways wantedonce my mom to I did all that before I was and it’s just dwindled down really sad for them because I small and you feel great.” there was only can- do. bellMy and the an councillors for university andone realized, mom’s elder and 27,’ and they went ‘What?’” to such a small population think the people of ChurchNow that she’s got didate for not fourbad councillor in, ashe’s provincial ‘Holy, I’m at this, are she’ssworn an artist, got so deMeulles oneFeb. book Looking back, some ofwasnow,” ill really thrive. on A 38-year-old man hospitfoundsays. by Thompson RCMPwant of- tocondition, 17.under her belt, positions, meaning coun- many government spokesperson right?’ I certainly developed wonderful stories be- thosealized experiences things Though she’s there They’ve builtoftheir worlds may try with are life-threatening-inficersnot responding to a report GuiseppedeMeulles Ross, 31,says alsoshe from cillot had members, cause told the Thompson Citizen a ofonly skilltwo in university she always tells her she might not do again. any longer, her parents and there. How would we feel to produce another. juries after being stabbed in a stabbing at a Princeton Drive Cross Lake, was arrested and one shy of out the minimum for stories previously. and came of there with at Parks Canada in “I did some pretty bizarre other family someone you and with “I have another book in Thompson on Feb. 15. her sister and residence aroundif4:30 a.m.came He tocharged aggravated assault quorum, an administrator After winning the always mayor- stuff like a very strong skill in my Churchill and I’ve fuel hauls from into the sorry, youand have to me,”into she custody. says. “It’s a darker members still are.transportedsaid, The victim, Pimicikamak was to ‘I’m hospital, remanded appointed by confi the provincial al election, Campbell writing and dence in hounded her, ‘Please, told just highCree Arctic at -35,” said Lake, “My owns the leavein your home community story, more about personNation at Cross wascousin where he remained, serious government charge of put the itCBC that Ithe my writing.took I write very on tape, willbiggest write it deMeulles. “It didn’t dawn hardware store there,” she and we’re going to displace al growth and struggles. what would normally the piece upcoming clear and that’s it. It’s be there. for youofbecause your busistory on me until after. That was a says. you somewhere else and all Maybe in the next five years BY IAN GRAHAM
EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
Stabbed man hospitalized, suspect arrested
Some people say it’s kind of blunt or direct. I don’t tend
is going to be lost,’ and she’s never done it and I thought,
very dangerous thing to do. Being on a plane full of fuel
Because of that, deMeulles finds it hard to
your loved ones and your history is gone?’”
it’s something I’ll focus on doing.”