Winnipeg hosting 20th-anniversary edition of National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

BY SAM LASKARIS LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINDSPEAKER.COM

Jeff Spencer is counting down the days.

Spencer is the chair of the hockey committee for the Aboriginal Sport Circle, the national governing body for Indigenous athletics. The ASC annually organizes the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, which attracts elite Indigenous players, both female and male, representing their provinces, territories and regions.

This year’s event began May 7 and continues until May 13 in Winnipeg. All matches are being staged at the Seven Oaks Sportsplex.

This marks the 20th time the national tournament, featuring many of the country’s top Indigenous teenage players, has been held.

The first tournament was in 2002 at Akwesasne, Ont. The tourney should have actually celebrated its 20th anniversary a couple of years ago. But because of the

COVID-19 pandemic, the event was not held in 2020 or in 2021.

Following a two-year hiatus, the 2022 NAHC took place in Membertou, N.S.

“I’m pretty excited,” said Spencer, who has been the ASC’s hockey committee chair since the inception of the tournament. “After all these years I’m excited to get to this year’s milestone event.”

Winnipeg has staged the NAHC once before in 2009.

Tournament co-chair Mel Whitesell is thrilled the event is returning to the province’s capital.

“We’ve been waiting for many years to have the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships back in Manitoba,” said Whitesell, who is also the executive director of the Manitoba Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Council. “We are so happy to have been awarded the 20th anniversary championships.”

A total of 15 squads will participate at this year’s event.

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Human Resource Generalist–Permanent Position LOCATION: Regional Office OFFICE: The Pas, Manitoba

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency (CNCFCA) is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of Child and Family Services. CNCFCA is dedicated to providing comprehensive CFS Services that are community-based and incorporate both protection and prevention services.

Our agency will strive to maintain family unity.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Human Resource Generalist facilitates and provides a full range of HR services to CNCFCA and all employees in various locations. Provides guidance, support and direction regarding all Human Resources matters to all CNCFCA.

RESPONSIBLITIES:

§ Employee Attendance

§ Training and Development

§ Benefits Administration

§ Compensation

§ Recruitment and Selection

§ Employee Communication

EDUCATION & TRAINING

§ Human Resources Management Diploma or related equivalent education (preferred)

§ Minimum three years human resources management experience is required

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and database systems

§ Ability to deal effectively with a variety of visitors and circumstances

§ Knowledge of customer service (preferred)

§ Good organizational skills and working knowledge of office and administrative procedures and related equipment (preferred)

§ Excellent oral and effective communication skills (preferred)

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

§ Must pass a child abuse registry check and prior contact check

§ Cannot be active on a protection case.

§ Must maintain absolute confidentiality in accordance with agency requirements.

§ Varied amounts of travel required

§ Must have a valid Manitoba’s driver’s license

§ Must be able to provide own vehicle for work

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned

Deadline: May 22, 2023 @ 4:00 PM

SUBMIT COVER LETTER & RESUME ALONG WITH THREE (3)

REFERENCES MARKED “PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL” TO:

Human Resource Manager

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency Box 10130, Opaskwayak, MB. R0B 2J0

Fax: 204-623-3847 Email: hr@creenation.ca

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

“Please visit our website at https://creenation.ca”

Our office ensures that best practices in COVID-19 are observed. Under Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency’s COVID-19 vaccinations policy, all applicants are required to be fully vaccinated.

The seven-team female division will feature entrants from Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Eastern Door and the North (represented by First Nations and Inuit from Quebec) and Team Atlantic, made up of players from the country’s most eastern provinces.

There will be eight teams competing in the male division. The same seven clubs that have female clubs are also in the boys’ division. And Nunavut is also icing a male squad.

Teams for the Winnipeg tourney are ranked based on their performances at the 2022 NAHC.

Manitoba is the top seed for the female division while Ontario is the topranked entrant in the male category.

The event features players ages 14 to 17.

The tournament moves around to different locations across Canada each year. Cities submit applications if they are interested in hosting and ASC officials select the annual site.

Current National Hockey League players that competed in the NAHC during their youth careers include Ethan Bear (Vancouver Canucks), Zach Whitecloud (Vegas Golden Knights) and Brandon Montour (Florida Panthers).

Former NHLer Micheal Ferland also participated in the event during his teen years. Ferland is still involved with the tournament now. He will serve as head coach for the Manitoba male squad.

Ferland was an assistant coach with the Manitoba side at last year’s tournament.

Some female NAHC players who went on to crack the roster of the Canada’s top women’s team also took part in previous tournaments. This list includes Jocelyne Larocque, Brigette Lacquette and Jamie Lee Rattray.

The number of participating clubs in the NAHC has varied.

“We had 20 teams some

Child & Family Service Worker (2 positions)–Permanent Position

OFFICE: Regional Office – Unit B Opaskwayak, Manitoba

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency (CNCFCA) is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of Child and Family Services. CNCFCA is dedicated to providing comprehensive CFS Services that are community-based and incorporate both protection and prevention services.

Our agency will strive to maintain family unity.

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Unit Supervisor(s), the Child & Family Service Worker is responsible for providing and administering CFS Services in accordance with the Child & Family Services Act.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Responsible for gathering information and assessing family functioning problems

§ Develop and implement intervention plans within program guidelines for families within program guidelines and provide referrals, support, guidance and problem solving

§ Provides for the placement, case management and ongoing support for children in care

§ Responsible for all file documentation and ensuring services are applied

§ Case Monitoring, Risk Assessment & Follow up

QUALIFICATIONS

§ Work experience in Child and Family Services with demonstrated knowledge of child development, family centered service, early intervention, family support and community-based services

§ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or related undergraduate degree in Human Services (preferred)

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred)

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills

§ Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act and provincial standards

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications including CFSIS and FACTS

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

§ Must pass a criminal records check, child abuse and prior check

§ Cannot be active on a protection case

§ Maintain absolute confidentiality

§ Varied amounts of travel required

§ Must have a valid Manitoba driver’s license

§ Must be able to provide own vehicle for work

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned

Deadline: May 12, 2023 @ 4:00 pm

Submit cover letter & resume along with three (3) references marked “personal & confidential” to:

Human Resource Manager

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency Box 10130, Opaskwayak, MB. R0B 2J0 Fax: 204-623-3847 Email: hr@creenation.ca years,” Spencer said. “But we’ve also had 12 and 13.”

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

“Please visit our website at www.https://creenation.ca” Our office ensures that best practices in COVID-19 are observed. Under Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency’s COVID-19 vaccinations policy, all applicants are required to be fully vaccinated.

Spencer is not focusing on the number of competing clubs this year. Instead, he said it should be noted how the NAHC no longer has just a couple of teams that are favoured to win their categories.

“It’s gone from having maybe two teams competing for the championship to everybody being able to compete for a medal now,” he said. “For me, our event has become a really highlevel hockey event.”

FULL TIME POSITION

Under the general direction of Keewatin Tribal Council (KTC) Director of Health and the Wellness Programming Team Leader, the Crisis Response Advisor will assist member First Nations in Crisis situations in collaboration with the Crisis Response team and KTC according to Crisis Response protocol. They will respond to requests for assessments, support or consultation regarding community members in crisis due to community trauma/emergent situations, mental health, suicide or addictions concerns. They will provide on-site support to youth, caregivers and community members, provide referrals or linkage to resources and provide informational resources based on a case management model.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-Secondary education / training / experience in the Social Services field.

• Demonstrated counseling skills with First Nations and ability to facilitate the transfer of skills to community-based resources.

• Understand of crisis intervention and experience working with people with mental illness, substance related concerns etc.

• Providing trauma and grief/loss support to individuals, families and community as a whole;

• Community Crisis Response experience or suitable amount of experience or education.

• Knowledgeable of government agencies and various organizations.

• Should have good communication and organizational skills.

• Computer skills are needed for various input of reporting requirements.

• Ability to work well as a team member.

• Ability to speak Cree/Dene would be an asset.

• A valid Driver’s license would be an asset.

• Must be prepared to travel to communities extensively for Crisis Response calls

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

Closing Date: Friday, May 12, 2023

Late applications will not be accepted

Please Forward Resumes to the Attention of:

Lisa Beardy, Office Manager

23 Nickel Road

Thompson, Manitoba R8N OY4

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

Successful applicants will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by providing a Government of Manitoba issued QR code and photo identification or providing proof of an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination approved by the Government of Manitoba.

Applications will be accepted until 4:00 pm, Friday, May 12, 2023. We would like to thank those that apply for the position but only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.