Nickel Belt News
Volume 58 Number 11
Friday, March 16, 2018
Thompson, Manitoba
Serving the Norman Region since 1961
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
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Racial profiling of Indigenous people at Thompson’s Walmart concerning, says First Nations organization manager. “Celebrating diversity and fostering inclusivity is an integral part of the Walmart culture and we are proud to reflect the diverse communities we serve through our associates.” MKO said it has sent a letter to Walmart requesting a meeting about how the company can improve the service it provides to First Nations citizens from all across Northern Manitoba who come to the Thompson Walmart to shop. “Walmart, and Impact Security, should take steps to ensure it is a welcoming space where First Nations citizens from all communities can obtain their supplies in a way that they feel respected,” stated Settee. “Indigenous peoples should not have to worry about being accused of being intoxicated when they are simply at the store to carry out their shopping.”
Volume 60 • Issue 28
Thompson firefighters extinguish burning RV on Highway 6
Book a way to preserve and pass on memories of growing up in Churchill Thompson Citizen file photo Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak said in July 3 press release that it is concerned by reports it has received about people being identified by security as potentially intoxicated just because they are Indigenous.
Security guards work- a cashier intervened and said ing at Thompson Walmart he could go get the items are alleged to have racially he wanted while waiting to profiled Indigenous people speak to the manager. When trying to shop there as pot- the manager and the securentially being intoxicated. ity guard then found him in Manitoba Keewatinowi the dog food aisle, they just Thompson Citizen photo courtesy of Thompson Professional Firefighters Association Okimakanak (MKO), which wanted him to pay for his Thompson Fire & Emergency Services personnel responded to an RV on fire on Highway 6 represents 26 First Nations items and leave, said Conin Northern Manitoba, stant, adding that the mannear Ospwagan Lake July 5, assisted by Paint Lake Volunteer Fire Department firefighters, issued a press release July ager didn’t take his name or who provided additional water to douse the flames while Thompson RCMP provided traffic 3 expressing their concerns contact information. control services. with incidents that had been “I was appalled,” Conbrought to their attention. stant told CBC. “Angry. “MKO has received sev- Really hurt. So many emoeral complaints about the tions, just trying to process ongoing mistreatment of what was unfolding.” First Nations citizens when Constant said he reported they are attempting to shop the incident to the manager at the Thompson Walmart,” of Impact Security, which said MKO Grand Chief Gar- is contracted to provide rison Settee. “In recent days security services, who told I have heard from customers him that the incident will “I think the essential workers that they have been racially be investigated. Constant is BY ERIC WESTHAVER AND CASSIDY necessary,” he said. “As we saw our numbers declining over time, as we have been following guidance quite profiled. In one instance, also planning to file a human DANKOCHIK FLIN FLON REMINDER had the health care system up in its well,” he said. “We've seen cases a First Nations man, who rights complaint. Manitoba’s top health official response mode, as our testing cap- being imported, but we haven't seen never uses alcohol, was Alister Weenusk Jr. from told he cannot come into Oxford House told the Win- chose the perfect time to take a week acity increased, we could not justify large contacts to those cases, because leaving those travel restrictions on these professionals are following our the store because he looks nipeg Free Press that he and off. Provincial chief medical officer any further.” advice.” like someone who has been his wife were asked to reRoussin said potential travellers Roussin noted masks are not redrinking. Imagine being told move their sunglasses when Dr. Brent Roussin hosted his first you look as though you are they went to Walmart July news conference in a week-and-a- should still exercise caution, using quired in public in Manitoba, but intoxicated when, in fact, 2 by a security guard who half July 6 and announced no new the same techniques that limited recommended their use only if all you do not use alcohol! wanted to check if they had COVID-19 cases in Manitoba for the spread of the virus across all of other preventative measures (like Nickel Belt News photo by Ian Graham the sixth consecutive day. social distancing) are not possible. Manitoba. It is understandable that been drinking. Addictions Foundation of Manitoba northern director Gisele deMeulles has written a book about her experiences growing up, mostly in Churchill. The province has processed over “[Masks] have to be used proper“No one should be travelling or one would find this com“I refused and told him 66,000 tests since the pandemic ly,” he said.For “We theweather people really going out anywhere, if you pletely inappropriate and you’re profiling us,” said BY IAN GRAHAM all all thesee harsh to write things that you have ‘Oh, I’m just as bad, right?’ was not a very safe thing swallow when people say began and is tracking 14 active cases. have any symptoms as part of the wearing masks, not covering the nose offensive.” Weenusk. “He denied it and EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET to figure out. It’s pretty clear I have all these stories and to do but I jumped at it. I that Churchill residents and the dangers of polar “We to have to learn startthought living that illness,” he said. “There shouldn't or the mask under the chin–and Wayne she’s Constant of when threatened call the cops.” I need Though now written I get to through.” capture themtofor was exciting should just find somewhere bears, deMeulles said that if it this virus. We have to tryuntil to find be anyone visiting hastoa live. respira- carries risks its viable own. she Touching Thompson, said he A spokesperson forwrote Wal- with a book about who her experienDeMeulles said she my grandchildren really the plane landed and who easier had of been would to they get back to lost the ifthings that torythrowing illness. Frequent handsay, hygiene handhave or face more often. when hasn’t had aupdrink for 30 mart Canada told CBC and ces growing in Churchill, her book, titled Whispers in ways because will be they started the “To ‘Those your people moved back to Churchwe enjoy doing,” Roussin said. “But and trying to maintain that physical we choose to wear a mask, that's years, told CBC Manitoba the Free Press that the comAddictions Foundation of the Wind: Stories from the I don’t.” fuel off and I realized, ‘Holy choose to live there. They ill in a heartbeat. have ensure we're protecting whenever possible that issetting exposure as well.”I that he wasnorthern going into Wal- North pany is- Life aware of the inciManitoba director in Churchill for weShe alsotohas a reputation cats, I wasdistancing probably sitting should just–leave,’ quite us up“Ifor miss the shoreline, the public as we do so.” messaging works in that situation Over 1,700 Manitobans were tested mart to buy dog food and dents and does not condone Gisele deMeulles said writ- a couple of reasons. as a storyteller herself. on a bomb.’” simplistic. It’s quite disre- miss the rock, I miss the The July 6 conference was the first as well.” over the past three days before July 6. drinks June 29 when he racism or discrimination. ing wasn’t something she “I just sort of thought, “I had such a varied hisAnother thing that spectful. If we were in the polar bears even though update since province lift- herMost recent haveboat been no cases are found in the Northwas stopped by she a security “Walmart is committed to health always thought would you know what, this history and I would tellthe people spurred on was thecases same in reanother If area they’re very dangerous and restrictions onwould travel into to Churchill travel, but those cases ern Regional Health Authority area guard and told he looked providing a safe and in includo. tory, this stuff that’s my ed hard timeslated facing I think we have would scream I really miss the Hudson stories and they go, Northern Manitoba June 26. not spread. Roussin credited people as of July 8, Northern Manitoba like the type of person who sive environment for our as“In my youth I never head, it’s going to be gone ‘That’s not true, is it?’ I’d go, since the Hudson Bay Rail- about that so why don’t they Bay,” she says. “When will I go “Weit’s puttrue.’ these They’d restrictions places infected for following procedure andto do mark fullhome, months with noonnew drinks andatwasn’t goingshe to if sociates ourit customers,” felt good writing,” I don’tand write down,” she ‘Yeah go, inway have the option that?threeback standing the suspended operations soon as we theydid were north neces-of Gillam contacting few people before cases of COVID-19. The region’s be allowed in. HeI and the said Fefer, said. “But when moved ‘You didn’t do felt all that, said.Felicia “My kids areWalmart not go- as last spring. I think rightthey now they’re Hudson Bay looking outlast on the level that thought“It wasusedknew they could befeeling infectious. was reported 8. you an security guard argued to Thompson to get until into Canada’s ing to get corporate it if I don’taffairs do it sary you?at You’ve got to bewe really to be a really like they’re case pawns the bay, itApril just gives
Manitoba reports no new COVID-19 cases July 6
the school of social work, and it’s something I’ve alat that point I had to write ways wanted my mom to for university and realized, do. My mom’s an elder and ‘Holy, I’m not bad at this, she’s an artist, she’s got so right?’ I certainly developed many wonderful stories bea lot of skill in university cause she always tells her and came out of there with stories at Parks Canada in a very strong skill in my Churchill and I’ve always writing and SWEEPING, confidence in LAWN hounded her, ‘Please, just POWER MOWING, my writing. I write very put it on tape, I will write it AERATION, DETHATCHING & SPRAYING clear and that’s it. It’s there. for you because your story Some people say it’s kind of is going to be lost,’ and she’s blunt or direct. I don’t tend never done it and I thought,
“Gravel on your lawn? Gotta be gone.”
old.’ I was like, ‘No, actually I did all that before I was 27,’ and they went ‘What?’” Looking back, some of those experiences are things she might not do again. “I did some pretty bizarre stuff like fuel hauls into the high Arctic at -35,” said deMeulles. “It didn’t dawn on me until after. That was a very dangerous thing to do. Being on a plane full of fuel
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. Because of that, deMeulles finds it hard to
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?’”
incredible sense. You feel so small and you feel great.” Now that she’s got one book under her belt, deMeulles says she may try to produce another. “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.”
CALL NELSON: 204-307-0281 npruder@live.ca