Water system failure leads to boil water advisory in Snow Lake

A Jan. 23 failure in Snow Lake’s water distribution system has put the community under a boil water advisory.

The Northern Regional Health Authority issued a public notice regarding the advisory on Monday morning.

“Distribution depressurization can compromise the safety of the water supply, therefor a boil water advisory has been issued to ensure public health protection,” said the notice, advising Snow Lake residents to boil water for one minute prior to using it for drinking and ice-making, cooking, preparing infant formula, washing fruits and vegetables or brushing teeth.

“The matter at the water treatment plant is in the process of being resolved, and water services should resume in the early afternoon,” the Town of Snow Lake said on social media about an hour after the boil water advisory was issued.

The boil water advisory will remain in effect until water supplied by the water system not longer poses a threat to public health and residents will be notified when it is lifted, the NRHA said.

Feds, First Nations settle class-action lawsuit over ‘collective harm’ of residential day schools

BY MATTEO CIMELLARO

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, CANADA’S NATIONAL OBSERVER

Warning: This story contains distressing details.

The federal government and 325 First Nations have settled out of court a second class-action lawsuit by survivors who attended but did not board at residential schools. Indian residential day schools operated from the 1800s to as late as 2000.

Referred to as residential day scholars, they attended schools run by Christian churches. During the course of their education, they were subjected to assimilating abuse and loss of identity, culture and language.

The Gottfriedson settlement, named after former Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Chief Shane Gottfriedson, was announced Jan. 21 in Vancouver by Marc Miller, minister of Crown-Indigenous affairs, alongside Gottfriedson and other former First Nations leaders.

The $2.8-billion fund will be placed in a not-for-profit trust led by the First Nations and will be independent of government, a government press release about the announcement stated. The fund will allocate approximately $8.6 million to each of the 325 nations; amounts will be adjusted based on size and remoteness, according to the press conference on Saturday.

The settlement is the second Gottfriedson day scholars settlement, the first being finalized in 2021, which saw individual day scholars receive compensation. This one addresses the “collective harm” of the federal government’s day school policy. From the 1870s onwards, Ottawa used day schools to pull First Nations’ children away from their communities and indigenity.

Day schools were not included in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission or in the residential school agreement over a decade ago.

“In 2008, the residential school settlement excluded our people and our communities, and we saw the need to stand up for our people,” Gottfriedson said at the press conference.

The settlement will be guided by four pillars developed by representative plaintiffs, including revitalization of Indigenous languages, the revival of Indigenous cultures, protection and promotion of heritage, and wellness for Indigenous nations and their members.

At the press conference, Gottfriedson, a day school survivor, spoke about how he and many others his age lost their language because of “Canada’s policies of attacking Indigenous languages for 120 years.”

With the loss of language came the devastation of Indigenous nations’ political and legal traditions, Gottfriedson said.

Further information about the settlement agreement is expected in February as part of a broader notice plan, according to a press release. Ottawa and the plaintiffs will appear in Federal Court on Feb. 27 to finalize the agreement.

The court will rule if the settlement is fair and reasonable for the class-action members.

“I would like to acknowledge all of our ancestors who didn’t make it, as well (as) all of our day scholars who signed on to the fight (and) who didn’t see the result, who moved on to the spirit world,” Gottfriedson said at the press conference.

In Loving Memory of Wayne Richard Zahayko

October 15, 1973 – January 29, 2015

A letter to Wayne

They say there is a reason, They say time will heal.

Neither time nor reason will change the way we feel Gone are the days we used to share, But in our hearts you’ll always be there. You left us peaceful memories, Your love is still our guide. Though we cannot see you, You’re always by our side. Our family chain is broken, And nothing is the same, But as God calls us one by one the chain will link again. We love you and miss you every day

Love forever and always, Mom, Dad, Jason (Lynelle, Sadie and Seth); Daughter Ashley; Sons Taylor, Carter and Hunter.

Obituary

DAVID REMPEL –SUPER DAVE

Sept 8, 1940 – Jan 15, 2023

David Rempel of Gimli, MB (born September 8, 1940, raised in Lowe Farm, MB) passed away in the early morning of January 15, 2023 at age 82. Dave was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

He is survived by his beautiful wife, Deanna, his three sons, Blain (Hali), Barry (Bonnie), Brad (Danielle), as well as his six grandchildren Cassidy, Leanna, Matthew, Brenna, Brooke, and Blake. Dave is also survived by his siblings Mary, John, Abe (Judi), Kathy, and Jackie. He is predeceased by his parents Sarah and Jacob, siblings Susie, Nettie, Bill, Tina, Anne, Lena, and Eddie.

Dave was the tenth of thirteen children born to Sarah and Jacob Rempel and grew up with his family in Plumas, MB. This is where he met his sweetheart in high school, Deanna (nee Kreutzer), before spending a short period in northern BC for a year and then moving to Thompson in March of 1962. Dave and Deanna were married in Thompson on November 2, 1963 and would have been celebrating 60 years of marriage this coming November.

Dave had several jobs while in Thompson, but being a machinist at Mutschel Bros. was where lifelong friendships were created and he was affectionately known to the guys as “Red”. The crew he worked with were like family and many laughs were had over the years, whether it was in the shop, on a remote adventure, or at the Trappers Tavern during the lunch hour having a cold one. The interesting antics and stories told were seemingly endless.

Dave was also the Labatt’s representative during many years in Thompson. This was the ultimate side job for him as it meshed well with what he loved to do; socialize and be with people. People who came across Dave in this era would have been the recipient of his generosity in some way shape or form, most likely a Labatt product or a cold case. He loved people and they loved him. His generosity always came with conversation and kindness.

Dave and Deanna were blessed with three amazing boys – Blain, Barry, and Brad. The boys’ childhood home on Silver Crescent was a safe and welcoming home for many. Whether it was a weekend of conversation and playing cards, or a cold beer in the backyard, the Rempels made everyone feel like part of the family. After creating many friendships and lasting memories in Thompson, Dave and Deanna continued their adventure by moving to Gimli in 1999.

Gimli was new to Dave and Deanna, but he took this as an opportunity to meet more people and explore more towns and neighborhoods. It also brought them closer to a beach, which turned out to be a highlight for the entire family. Countless hours were spent playing with grandchildren on the sand or in the water or just simply sitting in a beach chair watching the day go by.

Dave also had a passion for sport, particularly hockey. He got involved with almost every hockey pool or contest that came his way and collected more hockey paraphernalia than one could imagine. He also became an avid fan of the Winnipeg Jets and rarely missed watching a game.

Dave had so many one-liners that his son Brad compiled them into a book. After reminiscing as a family we realized that there may be sequels to the book in order to encapsulate all of Dave’s famous sayings. There wasn’t often a moment of silence with Dave around as he was continuously whistling, telling a joke or belting out some George Jones. Dave and Deanna were blessed with the health and ability to travel to many hot destinations and Dave loved being on the beach to work on his tan. They travelled with friends and family to Maui, Hawaii on their 50th wedding anniversary and this became his favorite new destination.

Dave enjoyed the social circles that he was a part of and left a lasting impression on all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was always the first one to lend a helping hand to a friend or neighbour and never failed to let others know they were appreciated. He often left a smile on the faces of people who met him.

Dave took his last breath peacefully in the comfort of his home with his loving wife by his side. Loved and adored by many, he will be missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Gimli, MB at a later date. A personal message of condolence can be left on the Gilbart’s Funeral Home website.