June 14 2024

Trina Ross: the unstoppable force of canoe racing

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON STAFF REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

In the world of canoe racing, one name has recently echoed in people’s ears; Trina Ross. Her recent triumph at the Triple Crown Canoe Race in Bainbridge, New York has solidifed her status as a true northern champion. Ross, alongside her partner Chris Prater, conquered the formidable 70-mile river in only 9 hours and 27 minutes, leaving a trail of awe and admiration in their wake.

Not only did they clinch 1st place in their class, but they also secured the overall victory in all stock canoes, outpacing even the men's teams. Ross's sheer determination and unwavering spirit have propelled her to this remarkable feat, setting the stage for an even more exhilarating journey ahead.

“it was very challenging! There were servile logs where you had to go over the logs, and you had to really avoid them because the water was moving so fast” said Ross as she explained the tiresome long stretch she endeavored as she pushed through without breaks for just over seven hours.

She enthusiastically attributes much of her relentless determination to her fellow paddlers, as their unwavering commitment constantly compels her to push herself to the limits in pursuit of victory. “Seeing the other paddlers that don’t give up amaze me, and I really look up to them!” she asserted. With palpable fervor, she expressed her wholehearted willingness to lend a guiding hand to budding enthusiasts embarking on their own journey in the sport.

With now winning gold in this Triple Crown Canoe Race, soaring past the other competitors and beating all the men she looks to even higher obstacles in the near future. To this point her challenges remained closer to home in many Northern community races, but now She’s getting ready to compete in the Yukon River Quest in which she says will be her biggest endeavor yet.

The Yukon River Quest

race spans a challenging three-day journey. The frst leg of the race is a grueling 20-hour endurance test, pushing participants to their limits as they navigate the rugged terrain. As if that's not enough, the second half of the race extends even further, totaling approximately 30 hours, demanding unwavering determination and unwavering physical and mental strength.

With such a daunting goal ahead of her she admitted that it often does scare her, where she never thought of herself as an adrenaline junkie or thrill seeker, and now she looks at taking on the monstrous three-day competition. What originally developed the passion was the desire to be a good athletic example for her family; “I just wanted to be

a role model for my boys”, and in turn began to see her natural talent and seek the sport deeper out of new inspiration.

In conclusion, Trina Ross's remarkable journey from a dedicated amateur to a professional champion is an inspiring testament to her unwavering determination and passion for canoe racing. As she continues to conquer new challenges and pave the way for future athletes, her dedication to her sport and her role as a role model for her family and community will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy. With her sights set on the Yukon River Quest and beyond, there is no doubt that Trina Ross will continue to push the boundaries of her sport and inspire others along the way.

BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

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.

“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.

“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.

“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?’” 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.’” 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. Because of that, deMeulles finds it hard to

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? 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?’”

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.”

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.”

Delivering News to the Nickel Belt since 1960

Photo courtesy of Trina Ross

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.

A new chapter of life for this year’s graduates

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON STAFF REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

Mark your calendars for an extraordinary event as Assiniboine College gears up to commemorate the academic achievements of its students across nine certifcate, diploma, and advanced diploma programs. The much-awaited college graduation ceremonies are set to take place on June 7 at Assiniboine College and June 14 in Brandon.

The esteemed Assiniboine College community is preparing for an exceptional day as it eagerly anticipates the largest graduation ceremony of the year.

Every year Assiniboine holds a survey in which this year shows incredible polls

of 95% of students live and work within Manitoba, with 94% of the students gained successful jobs within nine months of graduation with an average salary of $56,128. 89% of this percentage working jobs related to their class majors.

The conducted survey also showed an overwhelming 90% of the respondents expressed their strong inclination to wholeheartedly recommend Assiniboine College to anyone aspiring to pursue a career through higher education.

Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine stated that this survey is an important measure of accountability for the college, “We’re proud to see that the results embody our mission to transform lives

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and strengthen Manitoba. The success of our graduates speaks to the quality of our programs and our responsiveness to labor needs. Each of the individuals represented in these numbers has taken a step to better their life, and at the same time is supporting our province by working in in-demand careers.”

Joana Lusung Ribagorda, a Social Service Worker graduate, is the valedictorian for the Parkland campus ceremony. Ribagorda came to Canada from the Philippines only two years ago and began following a career in fnancing and customer service. She be-

came quickly drawn to the campus and now looks to a future career in the Social Service program.

“I hope as valedictorian I can share with my fellow graduates how important their time here was. I want to inspire the graduates to pursue excellence. I believe that is one of the important things we can do.” Says Ribagorda “I knew one day I would like to follow in her footsteps and become a Social Service Worker. I’ve been on my practicum at Parkland Job Opportunity Centre, and would love to stay here and continue in a role like this.”

One of the biggest fo-

cuses Assiniboine College places attention on the students is their intensive hands-on experience says Vice President of Enrolmen; Danielle Adriaansen “Our learn by doing philosophy, dedicated faculty, industry connection and work-integrated learning opportunities all contribute to how we prepare graduates to land careers in Manitoba soon after graduation, Our graduate outcome survey is an important tool for us to measure our impact and mission as a college. These consistent annual results show that Assiniboine graduates start out strong and continue to progress in

their careers over time.” As we look forward to the upcoming graduation ceremonies at Assiniboine College, we celebrate the resilience, hard work, and dedication of the graduating students. The exceptional survey results and inspiring stories of success refect the college's commitment to providing quality education and preparing students for rewarding careers in Manitoba and beyond. We wish the graduates all the best as they step into the next chapter of their lives, and we are confdent that they will continue to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

Hit the mark safely on International Axe Throwing Day

BY DEAN LABERGE

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

REPORTER, GRIZZLY GAZETTE

As International Axe Throwing Day approaches on June 13, enthusiasts from all over the world are gearing up to celebrate this thrilling sport. Born from the traditions of lumberjacks and outdoor adventurers, axe throwing has evolved into a popular pastime enjoyed by individuals and teams in specialized venues. This day not only honours the skill and precision involved in the sport but also promotes the fellowship and community spirit that axe throwing fosters.

Axe throwing has seen a signifcant rise in popularity over the past decade, transitioning from backyard activities to organized events in dedicated facilities. The sport involves hurling a hand-held axe at a wooden target, aiming to hit the bullseye. What started as a recreational activ-

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“Integrative Strategies for Substance Abuse Prevention and Emotional IntelligenceDevelopment”

Date &Time: June17-18-19th, 9:00 am –4:30 pm

Location: UCN Board Room -409, (4th Floor) 55 UCNDrive,Thompson,MB.

Cost: $699

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Acquire angermanagement techniques. Cultivate apositive outlookand enhanceempathy.

Enjoy continentalbreakfast, snacks &lunchduring your traning session!

ity has now become a competitive sport with leagues, tournaments, and a passionate following.

While axe throwing is an exhilarating activity, it is crucial to prioritize safety to ensure a fun and injury-free experience. Here are some essential safety tips to keep in mind as you celebrate International Axe Throwing Day:

· Choose a Certifed Venue: Choose an axe-throwing venue that adheres to safety standards and has trained professionals overseeing the activities. Certifed venues have safety protocols in place to protect participants.

· Wear Appropriate Attire: Dress comfortably, but avoid loose clothing that could interfere with your throw. Closed-toe shoes are a must to protect your feet.

· Follow Instructions: Listen carefully to the safety briefng provided by the staff. Understanding the rules and proper techniques is essential for safe participation.

Student

· Maintain a Safe Distance: Ensure there is enough space between you and other participants. Only one person should be in the throwing area at a time.

· Handle Axes Responsibly: Always carry the axe with the blade facing downward. Never run with an axe or throw it in an unsafe manner.

· Check Your Surroundings: Be aware of your surroundings and ensure no one is in the path of your throw. Safety zones should be clearly marked and respected.

· Stay Sober: Avoid alcohol or drugs that can impair your judgment and coordination. Many venues have strict no-alcohol policies to ensure safety. International Axe Throwing Day is not just about the sport; it’s about celebrating the community that comes together through this unique activity. Many venues host special events, including competitions, workshops,

and social gatherings. It’s an opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts, improve your skills, and enjoy the shared passion for axe throwing. Whether you’re a seasoned thrower or a curious beginner, there are plenty of ways to get involved on International Axe Throwing Day. Look for events and promotions at axe-throwing venues in your area. Many places offer introductory sessions for newcomers, providing a safe and guided experience.

International Axe Throwing Day is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in a sport that combines skill, precision, and fun. By prioritizing safety and respecting the guidelines, you can enjoy this activity to the fullest while building connections within the axe-throwing community. So, sharpen your axes, gather your friends, and get ready to hit the bullseye safely and enthusiastically on June 13!

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Aquatic Center finally breaks ground!

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON STAFF REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

In a momentous step forward for the City of Thompson, the recent groundbreaking of the long-awaited Aquatic Center has fnally began. With Penn-Co at the helm and a significant boost from provincial government funding, the vision of a cutting-edge facility to serve the community is now taking shape. The vitality of this initiative and the enthusiasm demonstrated by all involved refect a collective dedication to fostering a vibrant and healthy environment for the city's residents. As the project gains momentum, the Aquatic Center stands poised to become a shining beacon of opportunity, recreation, and community spirit for Thompson.

The entire council has also endorsed a contribution agreement that entails the City of Thompson being granted an extra $5 million in funding from the provincial government to assist with the expenses related to construction. Furthermore, the City is committed to raising additional funds to mitigate the fnancial burden of the construction, which is estimated to be around $42.6 million.

Penn-co, under the leadership of President

Dan Reimer, has expressed great enthusiasm over their expansion into Thompson and their involvement in the community. "We at Penn-co are extremely excited to be welcomed into Thompson and to be a part of the community. We are always looking for ways to help build healthy vibrant communities. To be given the opportunity to build an Aquatic Centre fts right into our vision of building a community where young and older can live and grow their dreams," stated Dan Reimer.

The construction of the Aquatic Centre has already commenced, with Penn-co gearing up for the next 20 months of intensive on-site activity. The foundation work is in progress, and the superstructure is set to follow suit. The company aims to have the building enclosed by winter and looks forward to witnessing children enhance their swimming skills by the end of next year.

"We are looking forward to working together with the City and all the Architects and Engineers toward a successful Project. Go Thompson," added Dan Reimer, refecting the company's commitment to collaboration with the city and project stakeholders for a successful endeavor.

Construction of the new

aquatic centre, which will have a six-lane, 25-metre pool with one The creation of the upcoming aquatic center is set to include the development of a six-lane, 25-meter pool containing a specially designated accessible lane, alongside a beach-entry recreational pool, and a rejuvenating sauna. The entire process is anticipated to span across a period of two years.

“Those of us on council and Thompson residents as

a whole have been waiting for this day for a long time and I am thrilled that construction of the Thompson Regional Aquatic Centre is set to move ahead,” said Mayor Colleen Smook.

May 15 marked the date in which Penn-Co fenced off the choice location to start breaking ground. This means the sports feld and outdoor track will halt its accessibility to the public, making it an active workzone area. In the meantime,

the City of Thompson looks to develop an equivalent outdoor track elsewhere to ensure that the public's recreational needs are still met during this construction phase.

The groundbreaking of the new Aquatic Center marks an exciting milestone for the City of Thompson.

With the construction underway, the community eagerly anticipates the completion of the stateof-the-art facility that will

not only promote health and wellness but also provide a vibrant hub for residents of all ages to gather and thrive. The support from the provincial government, the dedication of Penn-Co, and the collective efforts of the city refect a shared commitment to creating a brighter future for Thompson. As the project progresses, the Aquatic Center stands as a symbol of progress, unity, and the potential for a fourishing community.

Two offer names in election for SCO grand chief

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

Southern Manitoba chiefs will go to the ballot box this month to elect their next grand chief, and the choice will come down to the incumbent or a former chief who was ousted from her job late last year.

On Tuesday, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) an organization that represents 34 Manitoba First Nations announced their election for grand chief will be held

in Winnipeg on June 25. Running in the election will be Jerry Daniels, who has held the role of SCO grand chief since first being elected in 2017, and acclaimed for a second term in 2020. When he was acclaimed in 2020, Daniels was the only SCO grand chief to ever run uncontested in the organization’s history.

But Daniels will have competition as he seeks a third term, as former Long Plain First Nation Chief Kyra Wilson joins the race.

Both Daniels and Wilson are members of the Long Plain First Nation, and Wilson was elected as only the second female chief of the community that borders the city of Portage la Prairie in April of 2022.

But Wilson did not complete a frst term as she was ousted from the job in 2023, after some questioned the validity of her election victory because of a snowstorm on the day of the election, and a committee ordered

that a new by-election be called where David Meeches was elected chief of Long Plain. Chiefs from the 34 SCO communities receive one vote each and all votes will be by secret ballot. A candidate must obtain a majority vote of 50% plus one to be named grand chief. — 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.

ASpecial Meeting of Council hasbeen calledfor Monday, June 17 at 6:30p.m. in Council ChambersatCit yHall. The scheduled Commit teeofthe Whole meeting will take placeafter wards. The public is welcome to at tend both meetings, which will be livestreamedonFacebook ,YouTube andX andisalsobroadcastonRogersT VChannel 11.

Upcoming meeting agendasare available on the Cit yofThompsonwebsitethe Friday beforethe meeting at ht tps://www thompson.ca/p/minutes-agendas. Minutes of previousmeetingsare alsoavailable there.

Stay informedonthe go through ThompsonConnect

To get impor tant notices about thingslike road closures ,boil wateradvisoriesand watershutof fs sent direc tlytoyour phone, register forour direc tcommunication sy stem ThompsonConnect

Sign up foremail, text andvoicemessage notificationsat: www.thompson.ca/p/connect

OPINION

board opts for status quo,

way will city council go?

many of the people opposed to the plan are the regular critics of council who attend meetings and ask their elected officials questions week after week, their opinions may not be enough to dissuade the majority from forging ahead, especially since the number of people who care about this one way or another doesn’t even reach double digits. Whether or not the number of councillors or school board trustees should be reduced is not the sort of question for which there is a right or wrong answer. On the pro side of keeping the current numbers, the option that all but one of the school board members opted for, is the argument that it spreads the

Update – Moose Lake RCMP investigating homicide

RCMP Major Crime Services has identifed a suspect in the homicide of a 29-yearold male in Mosakahiken Cree Nation on June 7, 2024. Police are looking for Terrence Head-Martin, 18. He has a warrant for his arrest for Second Degree Murder. Head-Martin is still believed to be in the community or in The Pas, and police are asking anyone with information to call Moose Lake RCMP at 204-678-2399. If you see the suspect, do not approach, but call police immediately.

Flin Flon RCMP locate overdue fisherman deceased

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.

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.

On June 8, 2024, at approximately 2:20 pm, Flin Flon RCMP received a report of an overdue fsherman.

The 85-year-old male went fshing on Kissinew Lake on June 7, 2024, and did not return home. A search of the area was conducted by air, boat and quads. RCMP along with Manitoba Conservation Offcer Service, Manitoba Wildfre Service and local community members, assisted in the search. At approximately 8:15 pm, the body of the 85-year-old male was located in the water. He was not wearing a life jacket. RCMP continue to investigate and an autopsy will be conducted.

One of the arguments

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

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. 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?

YOUR THOMPSON CITIZEN NEWS TEAM

Noah Cooke Publisher

Matthias J. Johnson Staff Reporter

Darbyson Reporter

Noah Cooke Publisher

Matthias J. Johnson Staff Reporter

Thompson Citizen & Nickel Belt News: 2024 Offce Closures and Deadline Changes

THOMPSON CITIZEN

Otterburne witness recollects

Wednesday’s harrowing events

BY BRENDA SAWATZKY

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THE NIVERVILLE CITIZEN

Randy Bechard, a resident of Otterburne, owns a home with his family of four on College Crescent, located on the Providence University College campus. Bechard has worked here for the past two years as the college’s maintenance technician.

On June 5, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Bechard woke up with a start to what sounded like a series of gunshots.

“I got up still wondering if I’d actually heard it or if it was a dream,” Bechard says. “Within seconds, I saw headlights in my window and I saw one vehicle. I didn’t see any [fashing lights]. They went past my hedges and then they were gone. It all happened really fast.”

The cracks which broke the night silence weren’t the only thing that left Bechard feeling uneasy. Seeing a vehicle on campus property in the middle of the night was also unusual since the campus is currently devoid of students, leaving few people to be coming and going at that time of night.

Bechard silenced the home’s furnace fan and

opened a window, waiting while his young family slept nearby. He heard nothing more and, eventually, went back to bed.

The next morning, Bechard and his young son ventured out onto the campus to begin the workday. It wasn’t long before he spotted a set of truck tire tracks in the area of a campus barn located near his home. The grass was also torn up in areas.

Later, Bechard heard about bullet holes which had penetrated the barn walls, proof of the shots he’d heard just hours earlier.

By 7:00 a.m., a contingent of RCMP vehicles descended on campus, cordoning off an area leading up to the barn. They ran forensics while Bechard stood by, curious. Throughout the day he was required to give three statements to various RCMP and investigators.

Only through conversations with others on campus did the reality of what Bechard witnessed begin to hit him. The proximity of his family to these seasoned criminals, as well as the shootout that ended in one’s death, left him unnerved.

“They were just across the yard from me,” Bech-

ard says. “I’m just thinking about my family and feeling kind of vulnerable. I’m very thankful that no one on campus was hurt and there weren’t any students around. I’m also thankful for the RCMP and the police. Unfortunately, someone lost their life, but it could have been worse for everyone.”

The Niverville Citizen reached out to Niverville’s fre and EMS services for comment on their attendance at the scene in Niverville Wednesday morning. They were called in when RCMP discovered a man in the stolen vehicle with a gunshot wound. Unfortunately, EMS were unable to resuscitate the individual and he was pronounced dead on site.

They declined comment, deferring all requests for information to the RCMP’s communications division. Mayor Myron Dyck provided a brief statement in their place.

“We are thankful for our frst responders and their service to the Town of Niverville,” Dyck says. “They have a tough job to do and do it well. We want to thank residents as well for their understanding and patience in this time.”

UCN accepting applications for primary care paramedic program

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON STAFF REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

University College of the North (UCN) has made an exciting announcement for aspiring paramedics. The institution is now accepting applications for its Primary Care Paramedic Program at The Pas Campus for Fall 2024. The program aims to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to kick-start a reward-

ing career as a paramedic. Spanning a duration of two years, graduates will have fulflled all the prerequisites for the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) COPR exam, paving the way for a successful career in this vital feld.

Dean of Health Helga Bryant emphasized the program's signifcance in addressing the shortage of paramedics in the region. Bryant stated, "By offering comprehensive train-

ing and licensure opportunities, we equip students with the skills they need to make a difference in their communities."

Chelsea Friesen, the Paramedic Program Coordinator at UCN, highlighted the program's hands-on approach, stating, "Hands-on training is a cornerstone of our approach in the Primary Care Paramedic Program. From day one, our students are immersed in real-world scenarios that teach them

critical thinking and decision-making under pressure. This immediate application of skills prepares our graduates to transfer their learned skills directly to the workplace.”

Additionally, the program offers an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) exit option after the frst year, providing fexibility for students who may encounter life events or need additional time to complete their training. It's worth

noting that a certifed EMR can work for up to 4 years, after which mandatory upgrading to PCP will be required.

Prospective students interested in applying for the Paramedic Training program can submit their applications at ucn.ca. With the growing demand for skilled paramedics, this program offers a valuable opportunity for individuals looking to make a difference in their communities.

Brenda Sawatzky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Randy Bechard of Otterburne.

Movie studio officially breaks ground in Niverville

BY BRENDA SAWATZKY LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER,

hours they’ve invested in making this dream a reality.

THE NIVERVILLE CITIZEN

It’s been more than a year since the announcement broke that a flm studio was destined for Niverville.

On Monday, June 10, that reality took a giant leap forward.

In the morning, dignitaries, offcials, and friends gathered at the future site of Jette Studios on the corner of Highway 311 and Wallace Road, there to mark the official sod-turning ceremony.

Putting shovel to soil were Niverville mayor Myron Dyck, MLA Ron Schuler, and Juliette Hagopian, flmmaker and owner of Jette Studios. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Lisa Naylor had to decline an appearance at the last minute.

Also on scene to witness the prestigious event were Kenny Boyce, Manager of Film and Special Events for the City of Winnipeg; Brian Clasper, Director of Film Finance for Manitoba Film & Music; Chuck Davidson and Elvin Krahn representing the Manitoba and Niverville Chambers of Commerce; and Colin Ferguson of Travel Manitoba.

“Today’s [sod-turning] will go down in history as a tipping point for the community,” said Gordon Daman, event emcee and project consultant. “It will propel the community into hyperdrive in many ways, and that’s thanks to Juliette.”

Daman also commended Niverville’s council and staff for the hundreds of

On behalf of the community, Mayor Dyck also spoke from the podium.

“One of my favourite movies was entitled Field of Dreams,” Dyck said. “As I stand here in this feld, it kind of feels like this, too, is a feld of dreams.”

While this dream began with Hagopian, Dyck said, the dream has since become his own as he considers the potential kickback the community will enjoy in terms of job creation, tourism, and economic and residential growth.

“I dream about having the performing arts and other trades and support services to the flm industry taught at our high school as part of their education,” said Dyck. “One day, a high school graduate will walk across the stage and receive an award for the highest marks in the feld of flm and supporting trades.”

The next steps for Dyck, he says, will be to reach out to the Minister of Education as well as the Hanover School Division and the Niverville High School’s principal to discuss a collaboration to turn this dream a reality.

The Studio Project In recent days, passersby will have noticed the new Jette Studios sign along Highway 311 and the movement of large landscaping equipment. Roads are currently being built on the site.

On June 10, site preparations also begin for the introduction of the frst of two large production buildings. Phase one will include

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a 25,000-square-foot solid structure with a 40-foot internal clearance, large enough to house a state-ofthe-art LED screen capable of projecting backgrounds for any set imaginable.

Kyle Bially is the consultant and general contractor hired by Jette Studios for the build. He’s also a resident of Niverville.

“It’s a big [building],” Bially told The Citizen. “Probably one of Niverville’s biggest.”

The building, made of precast concrete, will be constructed offsite and assembled at the site, like a Lego model, sometime in July. Bially anticipates that the shell will be fully constructed by the end of July.

Even so, Bially projects a 2025 opening date on the studio since the electrical, plumbing, and mechanical components will take some time.

“It’s not going to be quick, but six months for a large building like that is still a tight timeline,” Bially says.

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According to Hagopian, phase two of the studio’s development will include a second building almost four times the size. This one will be located closest to the highway and take up a footprint of 90,000 square feet.

Bially says Hagopian has been working with local artists to design murals that

will cover two free-standing walls intended to hide the building’s exterior components, such as air conditioners and fans from highway view.

Phases one and two will cover approximately four acres of land.

But as Hagopian’s movie studio dreams evolve, another 16 acres will be available for further development which she anticipates will take place over the next fve years.

Eventually, the project will likely include on-campus housing units for outof-town actors, flm crew, writers, directors, producers, and executives from around the world.

“This is a unique campus approach,” Daman adds. “It’s not been done before. In the research that I’ve done, I actually haven’t found anything [like it] in North America. It’s actually a production village.”

By the time all is said and done, costs are expected to run in the tens of millions of dollars.

Jette Studios is not just for Hagopian’s use, though. She anticipates flm companies from around the world coming to use the facility once it’s complete. Her one-stop model for movie production, she believes, will be a big deal.

About Hagopian

Over Hagopian’s many

PUBLIC NOTICE

years in the movie-making industry, she’s built a reputation as one of Canada’s premier producers. She is the owner of Julijette Inc., a flm production company based out of Winnipeg.

Last year, she received four Canadian Screen Award nominations and three awards for a madefor-TV flm she produced called The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story.

Hagopian, though, is far more than just a flm producer. She is also well known for the many mentorship hours she’s provided to up-and-coming producers.

“Juliette is known in the flm industry not only for her passion but her ability to cultivate relationships industry wide and further a deep commitment to the sustainability of the industry as a whole,” Daman says. “Juliette’s vision to develop an integrated campus approach for Jette Studios, combining leading-edge technology with traditional film-making practices, is truly legacy in nature.”

As to why Hagopian chose Niverville, she says there were a number of reasons.

First and foremost, she needed a rural location in order to take advantage of the province’s fve percent tax credits for flms pro -

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duced in rural settings.

“Every time I make a movie, I always get asked, ‘Can we get the fve percent?’” Hagopian says. “So I’m always looking [for those rural locations].”

Niverville ft the bill perfectly, she adds, because of its reputation as the fastest-growing community in Manitoba and ffth fastest in Canada. That, she says, tells her something about the vibrancy of the community. It didn’t hurt either, that she has family living in Niverville: Henok Gebre of Negash Coffee.

The drive from her Winnipeg home, she says, is a scenic one and the ability to build at the northwest corner of the community is ideal.

“I wanted to make sure that the windows in the building were facing west and east so I would always see the sunrise and the sunset,” Hagopian said.

Addressing the one-year delay in getting things started, Hagopian says she faced two key hurdles.

The original infatable popup structure she planned to build at frst proved to be unviable for Manitoba’s climate. This took her and Bially’s team back to the drawing board for a more permanent solution.

After that, she adds, fnancing the deal took some time.

Even so, Hagopian never lost hope, because she’s a dreamer and her dream never died.

“I think it’s important that if you have a desire to do something, you just do it,” Hagopian says. “If it’s your dream, you make it happen.”

In just one year of getting to know Hagopian, Bially says that she’s far more than just a dreamer.

“Juliette is a great person,” Bially says. “She puts people before proft, so she’ll be a great addition to the community. She already has plans on how she’ll give back [here].”

Brenda Sawatzky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Gordon Daman, Juliette Hagopian, and Myron Dyck at the official sod-turning for Jette Studios in Niverville.

Controversy on Marchand Road: The Sumkas tell their story

BY BRENDA SAWATZKY LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THE NIVERVILLE CITIZEN

On May 22, at a meeting of Richot’s council, Albert and Shelley Sumka found themselves at the centre of a controversy. Too late to register for a voice to defend themselves at the meeting, the Sumkas reached out to The Niverville Citizen to have their side of the story told.

Council chambers were flled to capacity with the Sumkas’ neighbours, most of them living along Marchand Road, who had come to support Jim Wilderman in his plea for council to do something about the use of heavy trucks on Marchand Road.

The Sumkas felt singled out, having found out about the meeting accidentally and only hours prior to its start. They attended that night and were surprised to discover that some points made by Wilderman in his slide presentation pointed fngers directly at them.

According to the Sumkas, most of those points were unfairly presented.

It is true that the Sumkas run a trucking company, and its home base is located at their residence along the very easterly end of Marchand Road, bordering the Red River.

It is also true that the Sumkas bring in loads of unwanted fll, stockpiling it on their property in preparation for the region’s next big food.

What is untrue, they say, is that their property is being used as a dumping ground for fll that has no business being there. It’s also untrue, as was speculated at the meeting, that the Sumkas earn any proft for collecting unwanted fll on their property.

Finally, they’d like to make it clear that, on April 24, when Wilderman counted 192 trucks running past his property, none of the Sumkas’ trucks were not among them.

Being in the industry, though, Albert happens to know the names of 16 other trucking companies that were delivering fll to an empty lot along Marchand Road that day.

It’s a common occurrence, he says, for one primary hauling outft to hire other outfts to help them out when a lot of fll needs to be moved quickly. Sumka is often at the receiving end of those jobs himself.

Oftentimes, this fill comes from big construction jobs in Winnipeg and is delivered to locations where property owners have requested it.

Areas along the Red River where development is occurring, such as Marchand Road and in Grande Pointe, are frequent end points for fll. One low-lying property within a food zone can require tens of thousands of yards of fll to bring it up to provincial food standards. This requires thousands of truck loads passing through over a one- to two-week

period.

It’s not convenient for established residents who live in these areas, Albert acknowledges, but it’s a reality of life in a food zone. Every one of the couple’s neighbours who live along Marchand Road, Albert says, will have required vast quantities of fll brought in on convoys of trucks at one time prior to their home’s construction.

So when these same residents make a formal complaint to the RM regarding high levels of trucks headed to other developing properties along their stretch of road, the Sumkas don’t get it.

“You see how many houses there are [along Marchand Road] that are up on a hill?” Shelley asks. “Well, that doesn’t just appear there. We helped every one of them put those hills there. We’re all in this together. We were all patient when it was their turn to have fll hauled in. Now it’s someone else’s turn and they don’t have the patience for it.”

Five generations of Sumkas have lived on this land at the end of Marchand Road. Albert’s parents and grandparents were once successful market gardeners here.

Growing up here as a child, Albert says he was taught from a young age to respect the rich soil on this acreage. His family also had a great respect for the bor dering river and its banks and would do nothing to compromise its integrity, as was suggested at the meeting.

But in 1997, as food waters moved in fast and furious, Albert had to use soil from his own property to build a massive dike. His was the only home in the area to survive the on slaught of water.

Later, the provincial gov ernment required all prop erties in food zones to have standardized dikes or pads. For Sumka, it meant raising his dike to 20 feet in height. Theis produced a massive dugout in his yard that need ed to be flled.

Since that time, Albert has been bringing home un wanted fll by the occasional truckload to fll the dug out. In more recent years,

the province has mandated that properties situated in food zones be brought up even higher, to one-in-200year levels. He worries that when that devastating year arrives, he won’t be insured if he’s not ready for it.

Even so, Shelley says, there’s always a need for dirt when you live in a food zone.

“That’s why we keep on hauling, or at least try to, because you just get past one food and then there’s another,” Shelley says. “Whether it’s overland fooding or a big food, it’s just always something. But we’re dealing with it. We’re choosing to live here and we’re happy here.”

The Sumka land is unique in many ways. Its shape is like that of a light bulb, surrounded on the south, east, and north by the winding river. It is also the highest spot along Marchand Road, according to Albert, and always has been.

So in years when overland fooding occurs, the water collects along their west perimeter, turning the property into a temporary island.

Having spent his entire life on this land, Albert understands that the water here fows north, seemingly from his property line, as opposed to coming from the east. For this reason, when

own expense and give public works unconditional access to the riverbank when needed.

In return, the RM agreed to build a vehicle turnaround just before his property line. According to Albert, the RM project began but was halted due to drainage concerns.

Albert is proud of his lifelong claim to this land and still, to this day, helps out neighbours who have been there as long as he. Being neighbourly, he says, has always been his way of life.

“When I grew up as a kid, everybody on this strip were market gardeners,” Albert says. “It didn’t matter where you went, the neighbours were all out in the gardens working together.”

Today, he says, things have changed. And after the May 22 council meeting, he’s convinced more than ever that neighbourliness is a thing of the past.

After the 1997 food, the family ended their long history of market gardening on a large scale. Their main bread and butter became the hauling company they now operate.

As of this spring, though, they say that livelihood too is at risk.

“The RM has halted all unpermitted hauling along Marchand Road following complaints from numer-

Lemoine, will provide the RM with a better understanding of proposed developments, any potential nuisances that fll hauling may incur, as well as impacts it may have on infrastructure.

This will give council more control to place conditions on development or refuse a permit altogether.

According to the Sumkas, though, these permits aren’t coming out of the RM offce with any great speed. Because the new by-

law is directed at the entire Ritchot region, and because Ritchot is the Sumkas’ main hauling area, it’s brought his trucks to a standstill.

The couple has since laid off three of their four employees and are unsure as to the impact this policy will have on them in the long-term.

“I thought we were respected in the community,” Albert says. “But now, they’ve taken away my livelihood is what they did.”

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Brenda Sawatzky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Albert and Shelley Sumka feel targeted by recent complaints made over truck use along Marchand Road.

B.C. misses the mark with old growth update, critics claim

BY ROCHELLE BAKER

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, CANADA’S NATIONAL OBSERVER

The B.C. government continues to move at a glacial pace to meet an overdue promise to transform the logging industry and protect endangered old growth forests and ecosystems, say B.C. conservation groups.

On Monday, the province issued its latest progress report on transforming forestry practices to preserve ancient forests and vital ecosystems and meet 14 calls to action from the old-growth strategic review (OGSR) completed in spring of 2020.

The From Review to Action plan is a lackluster effort that fails to include any new steps, specifc details, or deadlines urgently needed to preserve what little old growth remains,

said Jens Wieting, Sierra Club BC’s senior policy and science advisor.

“I’m disappointed. Without ambitious timelines and milestones, the newly-released update does not guarantee the necessary forestry reforms nor timely interim and long-term protection of at-risk old-growth,” said Wieting.

It’s been four years since the review was completed. The plan included immediate, short and long-term targets for industry changes over a three year period, he noted.

The most urgent review recommendations called for the immediate deferral of logging in diverse forests facing the greatest risk of irreversible biodiversity loss, protecting more massive trees, partnering with First Nations to include communities’ input in for-

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TheUnitSupervisorisresponsible forall aspectsofthe effectiveday to daysupervision of agency serviceworkers andothersassigned to theunitsuchasChild &Family Services (CFS)Workers,Resource Workers, Administrative Assistant, Family EnhancementWorkers, as well as allaspects of relatedser vice andprogram deliver y activities.The Unit Supervisor will ensure that services aredelivered in accordance with theChild andFamilyServicesAct,the Adoptions, Act, relatedRegulations andStandards,aswellasCNCFCApolicies andprocedures.

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estry decisions and developing public transparency and reporting in the industry.

“Now we’re seeing the province say, ‘It will take years to achieve the full intent of some of the recommendations,’” Wieting said.

In the old growth update, the province cited progress on forestry reforms and biodiversity protection, highlighting a $1.1-billion three-way agreement between British Columbia, Indigenous leaders, and Ottawa to protect 30 per cent of B.C.’s land and oceans by 2030.

The province is also improving on-the-ground understanding on the state of old growth forests through better mapping, data and knowledge sharing, and aims to create more local forestry jobs, the update said.

“Aligned with the Old Growth Strategic Review, we are supporting local decision-making in forest landscape planning, getting fbre that was previously considered waste to mills and boosting made-in-B.C. wood manufacturing that provides more local jobs for every tree harvested,” said Forestry Minister Bruce Ralston in an emailed statement.

“By working together, we will make sure our forests are healthy and continue to beneft communities and people for the long term.”

The province’s ongoing commitment and work with First Nations to implement the strategy’s goals is commendable, Wieting said.

However, most notably, the province has secured

logging deferrals in less than half of the 2.6 million hectares of the most at-risk old-growth areas sheltering the biggest, oldest trees, or the rarest or most ecologically important habitat prioritized by the technical advisory panel (TAP) in 2021, he stressed.

That still leaves 1.3 million hectares of the most critical stands without any apparent protection from logging, Wieting said. The government is working to improve mapping and data on old growth forests, but has more than enough existing information to take interim measures to secure deferrals in the highest priority areas, he added.

Ralston’s offce did not provide comment or respond to questions by Canada’s National Observer about what the plan is for the unprotected priority deferral areas moving forward and what level of protection, if any, they can expect.

To date, the province and First Nations have temporarily deferred logging in 2.4 million hectares of old growth in 11 areas throughout B.C., including some parts of the Fairy Creek watershed and central Walbran area, where a number of tense and protracted logging blockades took place. However, it’s not clear to what extent those announced deferrals are a result of new protection measures, or if they include previously existing provincial forestry protection measures already in place, such as the old growth or wildlife management areas protected from logging

Jens Wieting, of Sierra Club BC, says the province's update on progress to reform old growth logging doesn’t spell out any immediate or effective action to further protect endangered forest ecosystems.

set up in the Fairy Creek region.

Further, there’s also little clarity about where the TAP’s prioritized deferrals areas are located and how long the temporary protections are in place, said Tobyn Neame, forest campaigner with the Wilderness Committee, in a statement.

The old growth update states the immediate recommendations in the review such as the urgent TAP deferrals are in “advanced” stages of completion, an assessment the Wilderness Committee categorically disputes, said Neame.

However, in tandem with the report, the forestry ministry website did release some data that gave a partial breakdown of the current inventory of old growth forests in B.C. — such as how much old growth is deferred overall, the amount of prioritized TAP areas deferred or not and what TAP areas have been harvested since 2021.

To date, only three per cent of the total TAP prioritized areas, or 77,847 hectares, fall inside timber harvest areas with existing cutting permits. Nearly a third of that amount — predominantly big tree old growth — has been logged, according to the ministry. The minister’s offce did not clarify if additional cutting permits will be issued moving forward in other unprotected TAP priority areas.

The report also postpones the spring roll-out of B.C.’s new blueprint to protect biodiversity until 2025 after the provincial election, said Neame. The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework plan aims to develop wildlife recovery plans, research and laws that value nature over resource extraction and collaboratively steward B.C.’s lands and waters with First Nations.

The Nature Agreement and attached funding is a critical and immediate tool the province could employ, said Wieting. It would allow First Nations to consider old growth logging deferrals in their territories. Securing the immediate and longterm protection of the most ecologically valuable old growth stands could pay a double dividend by helping B.C. meet its commitment to protect 30 per cent of its most valuable forests and lands, Wieting noted.

“It will take generations for industrially degraded forests to recover,” he said.

“But we don’t need many years to protect what’s left of the last endangered old growth forests, to implement the paradigm shift in forest stewardship and move away from destructive logging and ongoing loss of biodiversity.”

Photo submitted

Families of murder victims still in dark over when search of Manitoba landfill will start

BY DAVE BAXTER

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

More than a year and a half after police announced the human remains of two Indigenous women were believed to be in a Manitoba landfill and more than two months after governments pledged tens of millions dollars to search for their remains, families say they are still in the dark about when a landfill search could get underway.

“I don’t know what the delay is anymore, things need to start happening,” Melissa Robinson said in a live video posted on Facebook Thursday evening.

“I’m tired of all the waiting.”

Robinson, the cousin of Morgan Harris, one of two women whose remains are believed to be somewhere

in the Prairie Green Landfill north of Winnipeg, announced in her live video that a ‘search the landfill’ rally will be held outside of the Manitoba Law Courts on Monday afternoon. Closing arguments are expected Monday at the Law Courts in Winnipeg, in the murder case of Jeremy Skibicki, who has admitted to the killings of Harris, as well as Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois, and a woman yet to be identified that community members are referring to as Buffalo Woman. Myran’s remains are also believed to be in Prairie Green Landfill.

Once the trial wraps up, the judge in the case will then determine if Skibicki is guilty of four counts of first degree murder, or not criminally responsible by reason of a mental disorder, and Robinson said

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they expect the judge to render his decision by the end of this month.

Robinson said the weeks that families of Skibicki’s victims have spent in court and the disturbing details revealed in the trial have been “exhausting,” but as the trial winds down, they once again want to put their focus on their fight to get the Prairie Green Landfill searched, and are hoping for a big and vocal crowd on Monday afternoon in downtown Winnipeg.

“We would love to see people coming out with their drums and their signs,” Robinson said. “Let’s bring it loud, and let’s bring our women home.”

Since Winnipeg Police (WPS) said after the mur-

ders were announced in December of 2022 that they would not search the landfill for the women’s remains, families of Myran and Harris have been calling for a landfill search, and on multiple occasions advocates set up blockades at the Brady Road Landfill in Winnipeg, as they try to force levels of government to take action to get a search going.

On March 22, the province and the federal government promised funding of $20 million each towards a landfill search, but Robinson said since that announcement they have heard no new updates on the status of a search, and are once again frustrated and demanding answers.

“We’ve heard nothing

(BUNIBONIBEE)SUB-OFFICE

LOCATION:OXFORDHOUSE,MB

Positon: Family EnhancementSupervisor (OxfordHouse andother communites to be determined) One(1) Full-TimePermanent Positon

***PreferencetoLocal Applicants***

Reportng to theDirectorofFamilyEnhancement,asmemberofthe supervisoryteam, theFamilyEnhancementSupervisor coordinates andimplementsthe agency ’s preventatvechild andfamilyservices forthe assigned units.Thisincludesproviding guidance andsupport to Family EnhancementWorkers in avariety of communites. Partnering with thecommunitesthatweserve to promoteand deliver educaton andawareness programmingonbehalfofthe agency,ina manner whichisculturally appropriate. TheFamily EnhancementSupervisor contributes to thedevelopment and improvementofthe Family Enhancementdepartment‘sactvites.

KeyResponsibilites:

•Superviseand manage assigned Family Enhancementstaff.

• Communicate programdirectonand provideguidancetoFamily EnhancementWorkers from theassigned units

• Promotebestpractcesinpreventatve child andfamilyservices whichadvance theculturaland land-based ideals of thenorthern FirstNatons.

•Compile anddeliver regularstatstcal reports.

• Deliver regularreports aboutthe units’actvitestothe Director of Family Enhancement.

•Liaisewithexternalcollaterals on behalf of theagency.

Qualificatons:

•BachelorofSocialWork(BSW),orinprogressincombinaton withrelevantexperience.

• Workingknowledge of Child andFamilyServicesAct,Standards, andRegulatons.

•2+years of experience in thefieldofchild welfare.

• Child welfaresupervisoryand training experience

• KnowledgeoforworkexperienceinnorthernManitoba communitespreferred

• Demonstrated understanding andrespect forIndigenousculture

•Abilitytospeak theCreeand/or Dene language is considered an asset.

WorkingConditons:

•Fast-pacedenvironment

• Confidentalityenvironment with access to sensitve informaton

•Overnight andremotetravelapproximately25% (local)or50% (regional) of thetme

• Maintain asatsfactory PriorContact check, Child AbuseRegistry Check, Criminal Record Checkand Driver ’s Abstract priorto startngthe positonand throughout employment as required.

•Maintaina valid driver ’s license andhaveaccess to avehicle

Salary: Awasis Agency offersa compettvesalaryand employee

benefit package. Salary will commensuratewitheducatonand experience

ClosingDate: Friday,June 21, 2024

Awasis Agency provides servicetoIndigenouschildrenand families, thereforepreferencewill be giventoIndigenous applicants Applicants areencouragedtoself-identfy. Individuals interested in this challengingopportunity please reference CompettonNumber 2024-050 on your resume/cover leterand include it in thesubject lineofyouremail,inconfidence to:

HumanResources Department

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba Competton#2024-050

315 McGeeStreet, Winnipeg, MB R3G1M7 Fax: (204) 790-4455 Email: hr@awasisagency.ca

We thank allapplicants whoapply, however, only thoseselectedfor an interviewwill be contacted. Applicants mayrequest reasonableaccommodatonrelated to the materialsoractvitesusedthroughout theselectonprocess

but we’re demanding it starts now,” Robinson said.

Police in 2022 rejected the idea of a search, in part because of the potential danger from toxic substances and the volume of material at the landfill.

Manitoba’s former Progressive Conservative government and former PC leader Heather Stefanson said before being voted out of office last October they would offer no assistance or funding for a search of the landfill, and used that promise in their election campaign touting their decision to “stand firm” against calls for a search during last fall’s provincial election.

But since taking office, the NDP and Premier Wab Kinew have promised that

the government would support a search of the landfill, and the federal government has also pledged support although both offered no new updates on Friday.

“Our commitment to the landfill search remains the same, we will be searching the landfill,” a provincial spokesperson said in a Friday email. “There are no other updates to announce at this time.”

The federal government did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. - With files from the Canadian Press — 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.

Positon: Family EnhancementSupervisor (OxfordHouse andother communites to be determined) One(1) Full-TimePermanent Positon ***PreferencetoLocal Applicants***

Reportng to theDirectorofFamilyEnhancement,asmemberofthe supervisoryteam, theFamilyEnhancementSupervisor coordinates andimplementsthe agency ’s preventatvechild andfamilyservices forthe assigned units.Thisincludesproviding guidance andsupport to Family EnhancementWorkers in avariety of communites. Partnering with thecommunitesthatweserve to promoteand deliver educaton andawareness programmingonbehalfofthe agency,ina manner whichisculturally appropriate. TheFamily EnhancementSupervisor contributes to thedevelopment and improvementofthe Family Enhancementdepartment‘sactvites.

KeyResponsibilites: •Superviseand manage assigned Family Enhancementstaff.

• Communicate programdirectonand provideguidancetoFamily EnhancementWorkers from theassigned units

• Promotebestpractcesinpreventatve child andfamilyservices whichadvance theculturaland land-based ideals of thenorthern FirstNatons.

•Compile anddeliver regularstatstcal reports.

• Deliver regularreports aboutthe units’actvitestothe Director of Family Enhancement.

•Liaisewithexternalcollaterals on behalf of theagency.

Qualificatons: •BachelorofSocialWork(BSW),orinprogressincombinaton withrelevantexperience.

• Workingknowledge of Child andFamilyServicesAct,Standards, andRegulatons.

•2+years of experience in thefieldofchild welfare.

• Child welfaresupervisoryand training experience

• KnowledgeoforworkexperienceinnorthernManitoba communitespreferred

• Demonstrated understanding andrespect forIndigenousculture

•Abilitytospeak theCreeand/or Dene language is considered an asset.

WorkingConditons:

•Fast-pacedenvironment

• Confidentalityenvironment with access to sensitve informaton

•Overnight andremotetravelapproximately25% (local)or50% (regional) of thetme

• Maintain asatsfactory PriorContact check, Child AbuseRegistry Check, Criminal Record Checkand Driver ’s Abstract priorto startngthe positonand throughout employment as required.

•Maintaina valid driver ’s license andhaveaccess to avehicle

Salary: Awasis Agency offersa compettvesalaryand employee benefit package. Salary will commensuratewitheducatonand experience

ClosingDate: Friday,June 21, 2024

Awasis Agency provides servicetoIndigenouschildrenand families, thereforepreferencewill be giventoIndigenous applicants

Applicants areencouragedtoself-identfy. Individuals interested in this challengingopportunity please reference CompettonNumber 2024-050 on your resume/cover leterand include it in thesubject lineofyouremail,inconfidence to: HumanResources Department

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba Competton#2024-050

315 McGeeStreet, Winnipeg, MB R3G1M7

Fax: (204) 790-4455 Email: hr@awasisagency.ca

We thank allapplicants whoapply, however, only thoseselectedfor an interviewwill be contacted. Applicants mayrequest reasonableaccommodatonrelated to the materialsoractvitesusedthroughout theselectonprocess

Indigenous infants in Manitoba have exceptionally high CFS contact: study

BY DAVE BAXTER

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

First Nations infants in Manitoba have an “exceptionally” high rate of contact with Child and Family Services (CFS), a new study revealed this week.

Results from a study published Wednesday in the international journal Child Abuse & Neglect show that more than one in three (36%) First Nations infants in this province in the 20-year period between 1998 and 2019 had an open CFS fle, a rate more than four times higher than for non-First Nations infants.

The study, which was co-led by University of Manitoba (UM) researchers, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and the First Nations Family Advocate Offce (FNFAO) also showed that about 9%

of Manitoba’s First Nations infants experienced placement in CFS custody, a rate nearly seven times higher than for non-First Nations infants.

Removal (apprehension) of a newborn from its parents at birth was about six times more common for First Nations newborns in Manitoba than for non-First Nations, according to the study, and about 5% of First Nations infants experienced legal termination of parental rights before turning fve years old, a rate nearly eight times higher than for nonFirst Nations infants.

The organizations said while the numbers are “staggering,” the disparity between First Nations and non-First Nations infants is also growing rapidly when it comes to CFS involvement, as the study shows that the rate of CFS contact increased

KEEWATIN TRIBAL COUNCIL

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY THOMPSON,MB

INDIGENOUSHEALING &WELLNESSWORKER

Keewatin Tribal CouncilHealthDepartmentiscurrently seeking anIndigenousHealing &WellnessWorkertohelpprovide direct support services to the(IRSS),(IDSS),60’sScoop Survivors, MMIWG, Survivors, theirFamiliesand thoseimpactedInterGenerationally

Underthe supervisionofthe KTCDirectorofHealthand theIRS Team Lead,the Indigenous Healing& Wellnessworkerwillwork collaboratively with theIRS team providingsupport to the11KTC member bandsasrequested by theKTC Chiefs andcommunitybasedstaff. TheIRS Indigenous Healing& WellnessWorkershall help in assistinginthe developmentand implementation of a holistic FirstNations approach to assessments, interventionsand post-vention activities traditionallyand culturally appropriate.

DUTIES &RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To provideongoing supports as requestedbyall KTCHealth ProgramServicesand theKTC IRSTeamcollectively

• Establishing andcapacitybuildingwithmulti-layered partnerships such as theNRHA, Health Canada,CMHA, UCN, Manitoba TreatmentCenters,NADAP,ManitobaJustice,the MysteryLakeSchool Division,FrontierSchool Division

• Assistinginthe planning andparticipating of communitybasedwellnessactivities

• Facilitate andco-facilitate workshops/informationalsessions on thehistory of residentialschoolsinCanadainthe 11 KTC communities as needed or requested

• Foster interest andknowledge of Cree/DeneHistory Language andCulture

• Facilitate andcofacilitatecross cultural communication training as requested

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have atraumaInformedtrainingand/orcounseling certificate, this wouldbeconsideredanassetor/ 3-5years experience of in counseling individuals, groups andfamilies

• Self-motivatedwithanability to work independentlyina team environmentand with minimalsupervision

• Be Proficient with Microsoft, Word,Outlook,Power-point Excel

• Must have good organizational skills/verbaland written communication skills,timemanagementand strong interpersonalcommunication skills

•Knowledge of cultural/traditional andwholistic practices

• Abilitytospeak/understandCreeorDenewould be an asset

•Musthavea Class5 Manitoba driver’s licenseorwilling to obtain

•Knowledge of theKTC geographical communities

•Mustbewilling to travel extensively

• Willingness andability to work afterhours andor/weekends when required

•Ability to communicate in an Aboriginal language(s)and/or previousexposuretoAboriginalcommunities andcultures wouldbea definite asset.

•Position will be subjecttoa ChildAbuse Registry Checkand CriminalrecordCheck

ClosingDate: Friday,June14, 2024

Pleaseforward resumestothe attentionofLisaBeardy 23 Nickel Road Thompson,ManitobaR8N0Y4

Email: Lbeardy@ktc.ca Fax: 204-677-0256

We thankall applicants,however, only those candidates selected foraninterview will be contacted

by 22% over the study period for First Nations infants while increasing by just 2% for non-First Nations infants.

“We knew before the study that First Nations children and families face vastly disproportionate involvement with Child and Family Services. We also knew that Manitoba has the highest rate of child removal and out-of-home placement in Canada – in fact, one of the highest in the world,” Dr. Kathleen Kenny, a postdoctoral fellow at UM’s Max Rady College of Medicine and the lead on the study said in a media release.

“Our study is the frst to quantify the staggering rate of CFS involvement among First Nations infants at the whole-population level, and show how it has increased. Our results support calls to develop First Nations-led services to address this extreme inequity.”

The researcher’s joint recommendations now include

ending the practice of infant apprehensions, and funding First Nations-led models that support “the preservation of family and cultural bonds.”

The study also calls for the empowerment of “First Nations-led customary systems of care” so that children grow up connected to their culture, and for the establishment of community-based, supportive spaces outside of CFS.

“It is heartbreaking to learn of the high rate of involvement of First Nations infants with the CFS system,” AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick said in a media release “The frst year of life is so critical in terms of the bonds built between parents and their children.

“This study highlights the urgent need for culturally sensitive solutions that prioritize the well-being and preservation of First Nation families. We must work together to address the root causes of this con-

GHEFAMILYENHANCEMENT CENTRE

LOCATION:THOMPSON, MB

Positon: TransitonProgram Worker North One(1) Full Time Permanentpositon

Summary of Positon:

TheTransiton ProgramWorkerNorth worksinthe community-based YouthTransiton Program, whichispartofthe Family Enhancement department.The TransitonProgram’s purposeistoserve youthaged 15-21 yearsofage in preparingfor adulthood,independent living, andleaving care equippedtolivesuccessfully in thecommunity

With an understanding of theneedsofyouth,the Transiton ProgramWorkerassistsyouth partcipantsinpreparing forliving independently afer care with theAgencyends.

In aculturally appropriateframework,the incumbentprovidescare andsupport to theyouth partcipants; develops andmodelshealthy relatonships,while encouragingpartcipants to developlifeskills andconnecton to community andfamilyoforigin.

Qualificatons:

•BachelorofSocialWork(BSW) Degree with experience in child welfarepreferred or an equivalent combinaton of experience andtrainingmay be considered

• Minimumof1-2 yearsofworkexperienceinyouth recreatonal setng, advocacy setng, or groupcaresetng

• Demonstrated understanding of theneeds of youthwho are in care

•Abilitytoestablish andmaintainrelatonshipswithyouth,ina non-judgmental manner.

• Demonstrated commitment to community-based,culturally appropriateprogramming

• Demonstrated knowledgeofNorthernIndigenous communites.

•Abilitytospeak Cree/Deneanasset.

WorkingConditons:

• Community-based,child welfareand independent living environment.

• Access to highly sensitve informaton forwhich confdentality must be preserved.

•Occasionalovernight andremotetravel.

• SatsfactoryCriminalRecord, Driver ’s Abstract,Child Abuse Registry andPrior Contactchecksprior to startngthe positon andthroughoutemploymentasrequired.

Salary: Awasis Agency endeavorstobeanemployerofchoice, and ofersa compettvesalary, generous paid tmeof, andanexcellent employee beneft package. Salary will commensuratewitheducaton andexperience.

ClosingDate: Monday, June 24, 2024

Awasis Agency provides servicetoIndigenouschildrenand families, thereforepreferencewill be giventoIndigenous applicants Applicants areencouragedtoself-identfy. Individuals interested in this challengingopportunity please reference CompettonNumber 2024-063 on your resume/cover leterand in thesubjectlineof your email in confdenceto: HumanResources Department Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba Competton#2024-063 701 Thompson Drive, Thompson,MBR8N 2A2 Fax: 204-778-8428 Email: hr@awasisagency.ca

We thank allapplicants whoapply, however, onlythose selected foraninterview will be contacted. Applicants mayrequest reasonableaccommodatonrelated to thematerials or actvites usedthroughout theselectonprocess

cerning trend and ensure that First Nation children are supported, nurtured and empowered to thrive in safe and loving environments.”

But increasing First Nations control over CFS systems in Manitoba is a cause for concern for one backbench MLA, who said during a meeting at the Manitoba Legislature in April that her own experiences dealing with an Indigenous-led CFS agency leaves her with “serious concerns,” as more Indigenous communities in Manitoba look to take control over CFS and move away from oversight from the provincial government.

NDP MLA for The Pas-Kameesak Amanda Lathlin said while speaking at a legislative affairs committee meeting that “as an Indigenous woman, and as a former Indigenous band council member I can say this, I’m really worried about the First Nations handling this authority.”

Lathlin, who is a mother to one child, said she had previously raised her sister’s

three children before they were apprehended in 2017 and said she had been dealing primarily with the Opaskwayak Child and Family Services, an Indigenous-led agency.

She said her experiences with that organization coupled with her previous work in band politics has her concerned about the possibility that more Indigenous-led agencies and communities in Manitoba are working towards complete jurisdiction over CFS.

“I’m worried about the nepotism that’s currently going on in every offce that I can see, and I’m worried about the unqualifed workers that are currently there, such as the ones that have not returned my phone calls for two months,” she said. “Because of all this chaos I am seriously concerned.” — 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.

LOCATION:THOMPSON, MB

Positon: Family EnhancementProgram Facilitator (Communitestobeassigned) Four (4)FullTimePermanent positons Summary of Positon: Amemberofthe Family Enhancementdepartment, theFamily EnhancementProgram Facilitatorprovideschildrenand families with preventvesupport services;facilitatesprograms, andinterventons by usinga differental response structureand culturally appropriate resources. Theincumbent identfiescommunitytrendsand needsto engage familiesbyoffering programs andinterventonsthatbuild on partcipants’ knowledge, skill, andcapacity. Theworkisperformed in amannerwhich maintainsconfidentality,isrespectul,cooperatve, andempathetc to partcipants, collaterals,community members including Leadership andElders.

Qualificatons:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)degreeora combinaton of educaton andwork-relatedexperience.

• 2+ yearsofexperienceworking in childwelfare or arelated field

•Experienceinfacilitatng community-based groups

• Demonstrated abilitytoeffectvely manage competng priorites.

•Working knowledgeofMicrosofoffice(Excel, Work,Outlook, TEAMS, andPowerPoint)

•Experienceworking in theCFSIS database an asset.

•Demonstratedeffectve interpersonalcommunicatonskills

•Valid drivers’ license andaccesstoa reliable vehicle.

• Experience of workinginorliving in Northern FirstNatons communitesanasset.

•Abilitytospeak andwrite Cree/Deneanasset.

WorkingConditons:

• Community-based,child welfareand independent living environment.

• Access to highly sensitve informaton forwhich confidentality must be preserved.

• SatsfactoryCriminalRecord, Driver ’s Abstract,Child Abuse Registry andPrior Contactchecksprior to startngthe positon andthroughoutemploymentasrequired.

Salary: Awasis Agency offersa compettvesalaryand employee benefit package. Salary will commensurate with educaton and experience

ClosingDate: Open untl filled

Awasis Agency providesservice to Indigenous children andfamilies, thereforepreferencewill be giventoIndigenousapplicants Applicants areencouragedtoself-identfy. Individuals interested in this challengingopportunity please reference CompettonNumber 2024-0 7 on your resume/cover leterand in thesubjectlineof your email in confidenceto: HumanResources Department

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba Competton#2024-0 7

701 Thompson Drive, Thompson,MBR8N 2A2 Fax: 204 778-8428 Email: hr@awasisagency.ca

We thank allapplicants whoapply, however, only thoseselectedfor an interviewwill be contacted. Applicants mayrequest reasonableaccommodatonrelated to thematerials or actvites used throughout theselectonprocess

Nation gathers to celebrate historic court victory

BY ODETTE AUGER

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINDSPEAKER.COM

After its recent historic legal victory—winning the first-ever trial award of Aboriginal title in the British Columbia Supreme Court—Nuchatlaht First Nation celebrated with a community gathering and feast.

The nation invited community members, supporters and friends for speeches, prayer and a shared meal in Campbell River June 1.

Tyee Ha’wilth Jordan Michael, hereditary head chief, stood with his young daughter at his side as he shared his pride in Nuchatlaht’s determination.

“I remember walking down to the courthouse with my dad in 2017” for the initial filing of the court case “and that was probably one of the proudest moments of my life,” he said.

Tyee Michael explained the sense of victory declared by the courts April 17 was “starting to sink in” as he watched loved ones and supporters fill the room to celebrate. Elders were remembered, children played and conversations bubbled over with appreciation for each other’s dedication and contributions.

The evidence put forward in the courts by Nuchatlaht was bolstered by decades of anthropology work done by John Dewhirst, archaeology by Chelsea Armstrong, who

documented the rich agricultural practices of the Nuchatlaht that are still visible today, to efforts by archaeologist Jacob Earnshaw, who found that other archaeologists had been under counting culturally-modified trees in Nuuchatlaht territory by nearly 50 per cent.

Culturally-modified trees have been altered through harvesting efforts, like in the removal of planks or bark for weaving hats and shawls. Scars remain on the tree where it has been used. Only a portion of the tree is taken so it’s kept alive and growing.

Dewhirst’s critical report said ‘Look, judge, somebody had to make those culturally-modified trees and for all of these reasons it had to be the Nuchatlaht,” said lawyer Jack Woodward at the gathering.

The beautiful Nuchatlaht territory of forests, mountains, rivers and coastline also holds a sockeye spawning lake.

“The heart of that has now been (included) to the Aboriginal title, and that is a huge accomplishment,” said Woodward. “I congratulate you for sticking with this to get that. That is unshakeable. That can’t be taken away,” said Woodward.

This is what land back looks like, he said. It’s “a peaceful resolution of a land dispute that goes back to the 1800s, so over 150 years of injustice. We’re

JOB POSTING

Full-Time Day Care Worker

While hours are anticipated to be typically 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m., there will be aminimum of oneeveningper week of programming. Also,please note that in ordertomeet theneedsofclients, flexibleshiftsare 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. Theposition will also involveworking closely with the Counselors on both the E-floor and Transition floor in the scheduling of the individualand groups sessions

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

If youare interested in applying forthispositionorrequire further information with respect to nature of the position, qualifications, required knowledge, educationand skills*, please contact HelenTrudeau (Executive Director) or Christine Fenner (Program Manager) by March 15/2024by4pm.

JOB POSTING

Counselor Level 1Casual

Thesuccessfulclient will have aworking understandingofDomestic and/or Family violence and relatedissues. Haveone or more years of counseling experience,preferably in the areaofcrisis intervention or domestic/family violence,with someprofessionaltrainingi.e.Applied Counseling Certificateand/or relevant post-secondary education (Social work, Nursing or work-related experience).

Have acurrent CPR and First Aide or willing to obtainand recent Child abuse registry/Criminal record check. ValidDriver’slicense or willingtoobtain Must be able to work cross-culturally,the ability to speak asecond language is an asset. Have an understanding andrespect of LGBTQ1 issues andthe vulnerable sectors.

Be willing to work shift work:includingdays, afternoons,nights, weekends and stat holidays as required

Be reliable,dependable,flexible,and punctual and havea good work ethic.

If you are interested in applying for aposition 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 4pm.

now beginning to reverse that.”

‘Because we believe in who we are’

“Can you imagine a little nation of about 170 people doing what we did? And we did that because we believe in who we are,” said Archie Little, a Nuchatlaht Nation councillor and speaker for the Tyee.

Little shared the story of how this fight began. He had been in Campbell River for a shellfish meeting and noticed Woodward across the hall. Woodward is known for writing the first draft of Section 35 of the Constitution Act in 1982 and for working with the Tŝilhqot’in on that nation’s title rights case. That 25-year legal battle ended in 2014 and was the first Aboriginal title win in Canadian history, though Tŝilhqot’in had to battle to the Supreme Court of Canada for that victory.

“So I went to say hello to him to pay my respects to Jack,” said Little.

“Jack said we Nuchatlaht have the best chance of going to court because of our governance. We’ve never had elections,” Little explained. “And that’s our strength.”

Little went home to talk

to his childhood friend, the now late former Tyee Walter Michael Sr. about going to court.

“He said, ‘do it’. And so that’s how the process started.”

“After years of frustration with the lack of respect Nuchatlaht received at the treaty negotiating table,” the former Tyee decided to bring the Nuchatlaht fight to the courts, explained a booklet shared at the celebration.

Woodward spoke of the Nuchatlaht being global leaders in their fight for land back. He reminded the audience that Tyee Jordan Michael had spoken two years ago at the World Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, Scotland. Sharing the message of Nuchatlaht’s battle, he said the nation was “not just a little group fighting a little court case. No, we’re fighting for the future of humanity, right?”

Reversing 150 years of injustice

While winning back 2,800 acres is a victory, only a small portion of Hahoulthee (territory) was recognized by courts as coming under Nuchatlaht title control.

“We must still prove the

KEEWATIN TRIBAL COUNCIL

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

THOMPSON,MB

CULTURAL SUPPORTWORKER (CSW)

Keewatin Tribal CouncilHealthDepartmentiscurrently seeking

aCulturalSupport Worker to providedirectsupport services to Indian ResidentialSchools(IRS) Survivorsand theirfamiliesin Northern Manitoba

ROLESAND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Liaise/network with Northern Aboriginal communities andother stakeholders in raisingawareness aboutthe Indian ResidentialSchools, Truthand Reconciliation and Commemoration events;

•Conduct informationsessions, presentationsand workshop onthe HistoryOfResidential Schools,

• Identify Survivor support needs, providefor theseneedsand referasnecessary to theappropriate resourcesaswellas existing community services andsupports;

•Respond to calls from allstakeholdersinvolvedinthe IRSSA andIRSRHSP;

• Prepareactivityreports andparticipate in regularIRS program planning activities;

QUALIFICATIONS:

•AppliedCounselling Certificateorequivalenteducation and experience;

• Knowledge& sensitivityofeachcommunity’s cultural practices;

• Knowledgeofthe Indian ResidentialSchoolsSettlement Agreement(IRSSA) Program

• Knowledgeofthe IRSSurvivors andintergenerational impacts;

•Computerskills Microsoft Office,Word, PP,Excel etc.

•Excellent verbal andwritten communication skills

• Abilitytospeak Cree or Dene wouldbeanasset

• Must have strong Organizational skills andability to work independentlyorina team environment;

• Knowledgeofthe Keewatin Tribal Council(KTC) geographical communities anddemonstratedrespect of theCreeand Dene cultureand traditions

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

•Possess validdriver’slicence,own or have access to vehicle;

• Willingness andability to travel extensively;

• Willingness andability to work afterhours and/or weekends when required

•Positionwillbesub ect to aChild AbuseRegistryCheck and Criminal record Check

ClosingDate: Friday,May , 0 at 00PM

Late applications will notbeaccepted

Please ForwardResumes to theAttention of Lisa Beardy,OfficeManager

23 Nickel Road Thompson,ManitobaR8N OY4

Email: LBeardy@ktc.ca Fax: 204677-0256

We thankall applicants,however,onlythose candidates selected foraninterview will be contacted.

obvious. We must prove that First Nations earned a livelihood from their territory,” wrote the Tyee in a joint letter with Woodward. From the beaches to the mountaintops, Nuchatlaht were rich with resources, explained Little.

Woodward pointed to the map, and said “This is not everything, these yellow bits. You can expect that we’ll go to the Court of Appeal and say, ‘You see that little bit of Aboriginal title there, judges? Nobody had Aboriginal title that was that small…How could a nation survive on an Aboriginal title that small?”

Tyee Michael shared his reaction.

“When I first saw this map, I was pretty upset. A whole bunch of yellow is missing,” he said.

Holding many feelings, he explained, “I’m very happy with the way things are going. It’s not what we want. We want the whole territory. But yeah, we’re not stopping here. We’re going to appeal it, obviously.”

Looking after land and each other

“There’s not a day that doesn’t go by when I don’t think of… all the people that raised us because we were a community,” said Little. “We looked after each other and we’re going to get back to that.”

“To be proactive, to move forward, to do things better and Nuchatlaht would be beautiful again,” Little said. “Some of us are going to move home.”

“And now we’re going to think of the future,” said Little. “What are we going to leave our grandchildren? We think of the future generations, so they’re proud, so they’re wealthy, so they know how to manage their Hahoulthee.”

The principle of hishuk ish tsa’walk (everything is one and all is connected) will guide the work required to restore forests that have been clearcut, repair damaged watersheds, and recover salmon stocks.

Little noted the young people in the audience. “These are my hope,” he said. “I want to thank them for believing.”

“The path being laid is for others to follow,” said Tyee Michael.

TRIBAL COUNCIL

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY THOMPSON,MB

TRAUMA INFORMED CULTURAL SUPPORTWORKER (TICSW)

Keewatin Tribal CouncilHealthDepartmentiscurrently seeking aTraumaInformedCulturalSupport Worker to providedirect support services to Indian ResidentialSchools Survivors, (IRSS) IDSS, 60’sScoop Survivors, MMIW&GSurvivors,families, and those impacted inter-generationally by ResidentialSchoolsin Canada.

Rolesand Responsibilities:

• Liaise/network with the11NorthernKTC affiliated communities andother stakeholders in raisingawareness aboutthe Indian ResidentialSchools, Truthand Reconciliation andCommemoration events;

•Conduct informationsessions, presentationsand workshop on theHistory of ResidentialSchools,

•Develop wellnessplans with theclientele providefor these needsand referasnecessary to theappropriate resourcesas well as existing community services andsupports;

• Preparemonthly activity reportsand participateindeveloping ayearlyIRS workplan

• Providecrisisresponsesupportsasrequested by the11KTC communities

•Facilitatetraumainformedand griefrecoveryworkshops

• Providelandbased handsonculturaland traditionalhealing/ activities

Qualifications:

•TraumaInformedorequivalenteducation andexperience;

• Knowledge& sensitivityofeachcommunity’s cultural practices;

• Knowledgeofall SettlementAgreements whichinclude Indian ResidentialSchools,Day Schools60’sScoop,MMIWG

•Knowledge of theIRS,IDS,60’sScoop,MMIW&GSurvivors and intergenerationalimpacts;

•Musthavecomputerskills;Microsoft Office,Word, PP,Excel

• Must have Excellent verbal andwritten communication skills

•Ability to speakCreeorDenewould be an asset

• Must have strong organizational skills,timemanagement, abilitytoworkindependently,self-motivatedand be astrong team player;

•Beknowledgeable of the11Keewatin Tribal Council(KTC) geographical communities andberespectfuloftheir customs andtraditions

•Possess validdriver’slicence,own or haveaccess to vehicle;

•Willingness andability to travel extensively;

• Willingness andability to work afterhours and/or weekends when required

Position will be subjecttoa ChildAbuse Registry Check &CriminalrecordCheck

ClosingDate: Friday,June14, 2024 at 4:00PM

Please ForwardResumes to theAttention of: Lisa Beardy,Office Manager

23 Nickel Road Thompson,ManitobaR8N OY4

Email: Lbeardy@ktc.ca Fax: 204677-0256

Wethank allapplicants, however, only thosecandidates selected foraninterview will be contacted.

KEEWATIN

TIME FOR GRAD 2024