May 5 2023

Nickel Belt News

MKO to take over Thompson shelter, establish sobering centre

Responsibility for operating the Thompson Healing Centre on the corner of Princeton Drive and Station Road, will pass from the Canadian Mental Health Association to an Indigenous organization, the CBC reported May 3.

Book a way to preserve and pass on memories of growing up in Churchill

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, a non-profit political advocacy group that represents about two dozen Northern Manitoba First Nations, will take over operating the shelter, which includes longer-term housing for people with nowhere else to stay as well as emergency overnight accommodations like those that used to be provided at the Thompson homeless shelter on Churchill Drive.

The transfer of responsibility is planned to take place in August and MKO is working to develop a long-desired sobering centre in Thompson, which will provide an alternative to detaining people in the Thompson RCMP detachment’s three

communal cells for intoxicated people.

“I’m very hopeful. I’m excited,” MKO executive director Kelvin Lynxleg told the CBC, adding that there was some reluctance on the part of some of the many organizations working to create a sobering centre in Thompson about locking people in rooms until they sobered up. Lynxleg said she understood the concerns and hoped that having an Indigenous organization in charge would make that easier to accept, given that about 90 per cent of people identified as homeless in previous point-int-time counts in Thompson said they are Indigenous.

The healing centre opened in October of last year, but the facility was not exactly as envisioned when the provincial government announced in 2020 that it was providing $2,8 million to establish a sobering centre in Thompson. Existing shelter arrangements

previously provided at the homeless shelter downtown were transferred to the healing centre and expanded to include more permanent housing options. The longer-term program currently has space for 45 residents, about two-thirds of which were expected to be occupied immediately, when the centre opened last Oct. 13.

The eventual goal for the sobering centre, as outlined when the provincial government announced funding for such a facility, is to provide an alternative to taking publicly intoxicated people to the RCMP detachment drunk tanks or for treatment at the Thompson General Hospital if they aren’t medically fit to be placed in police cells. The goal of this type of a facility will be to relive the amount of strain that alcohol use, abuse and addiction currently place on police and the emergency department.

The RCMP detachment housed nearly 2,500 people under the Intoxicated Per-

sons Detention Act in 2020. Prior to each of these people being lodged in cells, they had to be medically cleared at the hospital or by Thompson firefighter/paramedics.

Total cost to build Thompson’s new pool should be known by June

The City of Thompson should know how much it might cost to build a new pool based on its design specifications within about a month.

At Winnipeg’s Main Street Project, people detained for public intoxication are examined by an on-site paramedic who either admits them or sends to them to the hospital for treatment. Those who are admitted are housed there until they are sober enough to be released.

house the planned sobering centre because it is directly across the street from the grounds of Wapanohk Community School.

Some of the money that the province provided to the City of Thompson in order to open a sobering centre will be used to hire a project co-ordinator to oversee renovations but the $2.8 million currently remains in trust and won’t be released until firmer plans are in place, Smook told the CBC.

An April 20 Facebook post said the request for tenders to build a new aquatic facility had been posted and that the city and architectural consultants hoped to begin reviewing submissions within six weeks before selecting a company to oversee the new pool’s construction.

Despite the requirement for medical clearance and safety protocols such as checking on prisoners every 15 minutes and physically waking them up every four hours, two people housed in Thompson RCMP detachment cells have died since February 2020, following a 12-year-period in which no such deaths occurred.

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.

Following that review, the total cost of the project would be known and the recommended proponent be presented to council at a committee of the whole meeting for discussion. A majority vote at a council meeting would be required to award the tender to the recommended company.

Addictions Foundation of Manitoba northern director Gisele deMeulles has written a book about her experiences growing up, mostly

to write things that you have to figure out. It’s pretty clear when I get through.”

nently shut down the Norplex Pool for safety reasons on Feb. 13, 2019, a little over three months after they took office and Colleen Smook first became the mayor in October 2018. By the following fall, council had submitted an infrastructure funding application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, with a total project cost of about $15 million, though it quickly amended that to a higher figure of about $20 million.

DeMeulles said she wrote her book, titled Whispers in the Wind: Stories from the North - Life in Churchill for a couple of reasons.

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

The Thompson Healing Centre is open 24 hours a day and doesn’t require the people who stay there to be sober,

swallow when people say that Churchill residents should just find somewhere easier to live.

Thompson RCMP can take intoxicated people to the healing centre now, but only with their permission. Once it is designated as a sobering centre, they will be able to take people there who are too intoxicated to give their permission.

“We are very excited to continue to move this project forward, and we will continue to share information on the project with the community as things evolve,” the Facebook post read.

Thompson has been without an indoor public pool since the previous council made the decision to perma-

“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

It took nearly three years before the city got word last spring that its funding application had been approved, though only for a total of $15 million, with $6 million coming from the federal government, $5 million from the provincial government and the city expected to cover the other $4 million.

Vale Manitoba Operations has also pledged to contribute $2 million toward the construction of a new pool in Thompson.

With more than four years having elapsed since the pool was shut down, however, and nearly four since the ICIP grant application was made, it is likely that

“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,

tory 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?’”

Another thing that spurred her on was the hard times facing Churchill since the Hudson Bay Railway suspended operations north of Gillam last spring.

the cost to construct of a pool based on the city’s desired specifications has risen dramatically, through a combination of worker shortages and inflation that have driven up the cost of both labour and materials.

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

The City of Flin Flon, which shut down its pool for safety reasons about a year after Thompson closed

“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?

“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.

the Norplex, recently revealed that the cost to build a replacement based on its desired design, estimated to be $9 million when an application to ICIP was submitted a few years ago, had risen to $11 million by last June. Since then, it has gone up to about $17 million, almost 100 per cent higher than the first estimate.

“My cousin owns the hardware store there,” she says. Because of that, deMeulles finds it hard to

Mayor Colleen Smook told the CBC that she acknowledges that the centre may have opened prematurely but that the city and the CMHA wanted to have it up and running before winter because the city’s homeless population has increased. She has previously said that businesses in the area have been in contact with the city about problems related to the shelter’s relocation.

The building that houses the centre, which was transferred from provincial ownership to the city along with two adjacent buildings, will need renovations before it can offer sobering centre services Concerns were raised when the buildings were transferred to the city to

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?’”

Northern Regional Health Authority experts told the CBC that an estimated onethird of Thompson’s 13,000 residents struggle with addictions and the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba Eaglewood Treatment Centre at the south end of Princeton Drive can treat up to 260 people a year, but often has 100 people on its waiting list.

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.”

“There’s so many people out there who have issues who aren’t coming forward yet,” treatment centre director Gisele deMeulles told the CBC.

Now that she’s got one book under her belt, deMeulles says she may try to produce another.

With most of Northern Manitoba ’s population being Indigenous, there are complex layers of grief, including intergenerational trauma, for many of those with addictions, she said.

“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.”

Nickel Belt News photo by Ian Graham

in Churchill.

Delivering News to the Nickel Belt since 1960

Thompson Citizen file image An artist’s rendition of the interior of a proposed new pool in Thompson to replace the Norplex Pool, which was permanently shut down in February 2019.

Thompson Citizen file photo

One of the larger dormitory-style sleeping rooms for longer-term residents at the Thompson Healing Centre on Princeton Drive on Oct. 12, the day before it began accommodating homeless people.

National Day of Mourning ceremony remembers workers killed on the job

BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

The union that represents mine workers in Thompson and officials from Vale gathered at the United Steelworkers Local 6166 hall on April 28 to recognize the National Day of Mourning, marked annually on this date to remember workers who were killed on the job.

Although no Steelworkers died in workplace incidents last year in USW Canada’s District 3, which covers Western Canada and the territories, all workers and employers need to remain vigilant, said USW Local 6166 president Warren Luky.

“We have a long ways to go,” he said. “There’s too many people who end up going to work and get injured.”

The risks mining entails were highlighted by Vale Manitoba Operations mines manager Rick Filion, who said that a previous workplace where he was employed had a plaque outside with the names of 47 people who had died there, three of

whom were people he had worked with closely. Filion said he lost a cousin in a workplace accident earlier in the week and that it was a harsh reminder of the hazards worker face.

“The softest thing in the mine is us and there’s no forgiveness in our workplace,” he said.

Todd Burnside of USW Local 6166 said there were 1,081 Canadians killed in workplace incidents last year, 1,009 of whom were male.

The National Day of Morning was created by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984 on the 70th anniversary of the date the first Ontario Workers Compensation Act was approved in 1914. An act of Parliament in 1991 officially recognized the day in Canada and it is now marked in over 100 countries worldwide.

Former NDP Churchill MP Rod Murphy, who helped pass the legislation recognizing the day, said that when he spoke to schoolchildren on this day a year ago, many knew of

OBITUARY

SHIRLEY RUTH COMPTON

Ruth Compton of Thompson, MB was called to her eternal home after a two year fight with cancer on April 21, 2023 at the age of 69 years. She passed, surrounded by family and friends, shortly before 1pm, in the palliative care room at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre. It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Ruth. She was born Shirley Ruth Carberry on July 27, 1953 to Austin and Mabel Carberry in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. It is in Corner Brook where Ruth met and married Ray Compton on December 27, 1976. Ruth resided there until she moved to Thompson, Manitoba on January 2, 1977.

Ruth loved to bake and cook. People came from far and wide for her Homemade Bread, tea buns or just a cup of Tetley Tea. Ruth worked as a Tax Preparer part time from 1979 to 1994 under U&R Tax Service then she opened Ruth’s Tax Service in January of 1995 which she operated up until the tax season of 2021.

Ruth was a soldier of the Salvation Army in Thompson from 1982 until 2022, she then transferred her soldiership to the Englee, NL corps upon closure in Thompson. The church was fortunate to have her as a Sunday school teacher, treasurer, and a volunteer for various projects such as the Christmas Kettles, Red Shield, family services food bank and the Christmas hampers. Ruth’s strong faith was evident in everything she did.

Ruth is predeceased by her parents Austin and Mabel Carberry, as well as her sisters Peggy and Cathy, son in-law Darrell Salmon, in-laws Arthur and Susie Compton and numerous brother and sister in-laws. She is survived by the love of her life Ray, daughter Lisa, son Raymond (Candace), son Keith (Lauren), brothers Robert (Julia) of St Andrews NL, Terry (Pauline) of Corner Brook NL, Eric (Elizabeth) of Mineville, NS, Keith (Kim) of Corner Brook NL, sister Lois of Cambridge, ON, Grandson Austin, Granddaughters Madison and Scarlet Rae, sister in-law Hazel (Ron) of Corner Brook NL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Cancer Care Manitoba, the various doctors and nurses at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre and Dr. Coleman and Nurse Practitioner Rachelle Huculak from the Northern Health Region for the tremendous care that Ruth received from July of 2021 until her passing.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at the Thompson Pentecostal Assembly at 126 Goldeye in Thompson, MB on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 2:00pm. Ruth’s best friend, Debbie Clarke from the Salvation Army, will be officiating. There will be a service in Englee, NL in the fall where Ruth will be laid to rest.

Friends and family are invited to visit Ruth’s’s memorial page at www.interlakecremation.ca, where memories and condolences may be shared.

Arrangements entrusted to: Interlake Cremation & Memorial Services.

people who had been injured or killed at work.

“It’s still happening,” he said. “It’s still something we have to work at.”

A ceremony marking the National Day of Mourning was also held in Winnipeg this morning.

“Every worker deserves to make it home safely to their loved ones at the end of every shift,” said Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck in

a news release.”While today is about mourning, it is also about recommitting ourselves to making workplaces safer to prevent these tragic losses in the future.”

More than 20 Manitobans died from workplace accidents and occupational diseases in 2022 and flags at all provincial government buildings in Manitoba were lowered to half-mast to commemorate the day.

“This day gives us all a

chance to remember and honour the Manitobans who did not return home safely from work last year,” said Manitoba Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes in a news release.

“Of course, those lost were much more than workers.

They were our family mem-

bers, friends, colleagues and neighbours. As we remember the past and look to the future, I call on all Manitobans to renew their commitment to occupational safety and health, and continue working together to ensure all workers come home safely.”

Career day shines light on what goes on at Vale Manitoba Operations

BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

Junior high and high school students as well as the general public had a chance to find out more about what goes on underground and at the surface during Vale Manitoba Operations’ career day on April 27.

Held at the Thompson Regional Community Centre with the morning and early afternoon reserved for Grade 8 to Grade 12 students before opening to the public for the last two hours, the event was aimed at shining a headlamp onto all the possible occupations that exist with Vale in Thompson.

“We have a variety of careers at Vale, everything of course from being an underground miner to being a trades professional,” said Melissa-Mae Ducharme, Vale Manitoba Operations human resources manager. “We have chemists, we have our health and safety team, we have engineers, geologists. We even have our HR team.”

More than just people talking about their jobs to students and adults, the career day featured activities for the various occupations that were showcased.

“Each department created an activity to be able to give the students a hands-on learning experience of what it might be like to work in that particular field,” said Ducharme.

With some positions at the mine currently open and more expected to be available in the coming years as older members of

Thompson workforce retire, Ducharme says the goal is to inspire those who might be interested to pursue an education that could land them at job at the mine a few years from now.

“We’re starting that talent pipeline building now,” Ducharme said. “This a real move for us to be proactive in building talent.”

Holding the event, the first of its kind by Vale Canada for several years, in Thompson was intended to help the company recruit more new employees locally.

“We want to attract from the community versus from afar if we can,” said Ducharme. “That’s really important to us.”

It’s also important to Warren Luky, president of United Steelworkers Lo -

cal 6166, which represents about 550 hourly workers at Vale’s Thompson operations.

The union had a table at the event, filling in interested participants on what types of jobs its members do and how it works to secure them the best employment conditions.

“You get a really good window into a world that’s closed to most people,” he said. “Vale doesn’t do tours anymore. Even when you have a parent that works there, they don’t know all aspects of the job. The opportunity for people to see that, what’s available here for a future, is really good for us, to get out there and actually encourage people to stay in Thompson. Kids actually get to see that they could have a

future here and there’s a lot of different options for them to work in, too.”

As far as the union is concerned, it’s a very good time for people to get into trades and it has been that way for the past decade at least. Luky also says having local people work permanent jobs in Thompson is preferable to them being done by contractors.

“We have grievances in for the contractors,” he said.

Key players behind the event included Stephanie Keough, Ducharme said, as well as Arany Navaratnarajah from Vale’s corporate office.

“She can take this experience and bring it to our other operations across Canada and duplicate the event, and elsewhere in our business,” Ducharme said.

Thompson Citizen photo by Ian Graham Vale Manitoba Operations held a career day at the Thompson Regional Community Centre on April 27 to help high school students and the public learn about the many different careers available there and try some of the activities that workers in those occupations do.

Thompson Citizen photos by Ian Graham Former Churchill MP Rod Murphy helped pass legislation that got the National Day of Mourning recognized in Canada in 1991, during his last term in the House of Commons.

Vale Manitoba Operations mines manager Rick Filion said during a National Day of Mourning ceremony in Thompson on April 28 that he lost a cousin to a workplace accident earlier that week.

Woman who lit fire in apartment stairwell charged with arson

A 30-year-old Thompson woman has been charged with arson for lighting a fire in an apartment stairwell.

Thompson RCMP and Thompson Fire & Emergency Services were called to a fire at a Carlton Place apartment building around 3 p.m. May 2 and police arrested a suspect who was carrying a knife.

The fire was extinguished but caused damage to the stairwell and firefighters used exhaust fans to get rid of smoke. Police learned the suspect had been involved in an earlier incident, during which she made threats.

Eloria Grieves faces charges of arson with disregard for human life, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of uttering threats, mischief and failing to comply with conditions.

She was remanded into custody.

Three charged with aggravated assault for April 5 incident in Thompson

RCMP have arrested and charged three people with aggravated assault in connection to a 32-yearold man found severely injured in a Thompson parking lot April 5.

Barbara Saunders, 31, Lloyd Colombe, 32, and Jimmy Anderson, 47, were charged with aggravated assault April 25 and no further arrests or charges

Witnesses help Thompson RCMP officer who was assaulted while arresting a suspect

Bystanders helped a Thompson RCMP officer who was assaulted by a suspect during the course of an arrest on April 26.

Police were notified around 7 p.m. of a fight outside a business on Mystery Lake Road and arrived to learn that a man had assaulted two employees, one of whom was bleeding profusely. Witnesses pointed out the suspect, who ran away. An officer chased him on foot and was taking him into custody when the man kicked the officer. Bystanders helped the officer with the combative suspect, who was arrested and then taken to the hospital as a precaution and was yelling, swearing and causing a disturbance. Police say the suspect threatened the officer as well.

One of the victims, a 63-year-old woman, was taken to hospital with serious injuries, and the other, a 35-year-old man, was treated and released at the scene.

“I would like to thank all the people that helped during this violent incident yesterday,” said Staff Sgt. Shane Flanagan, acting detachment commander of Thompson RCMP, in a news release. “Several people provided assistance to the injured victims and helped officers identify and arrest the suspect.”

Sean Spence, 32, from Split Lake, is charged with assaulting a police officer, aggravated assault, assault, resisting arrest, uttering threats, and disturbing the peace and was remanded into custody.

are expected, police say. All three were remanded into custody.

Thompson RCMP responded to a report of an unresponsive male in the parking lot of a business around 10 p.m. April 5 and found a man from Split Lake with life-threatening injuries. He remains in hospital in stable condition.

AUTOMATED COLLECTION

• 1 Westwood • 2 Burntwood

• 3 Riverside/Deerwood

• 4 Eastwood

• 5 Juniper/Southwood/BTC

The automated carts must be placed along your curb no later than 8 am on the day of scheduled pickup AT LEAST one metre apart from other cart/objects. No Parking on residential streets between the hours of 8 am and 4:30 pm during Garbage/Recycle days for that area. Example: if it is Westwood’s Garbage/Recycle day there is to be no parking on the residential streets in the Westwood Area. This is to aid in the safety for both the residents of Thompson as well as City crews. Vehicles found parked on the streets will be ticketed.

one

Thompson stabbing lands

man in hospital, suspect charged with aggravated assault

One man is in hospital and another is in custody following an April 28 stabbing outside a Cree Road business in Thompson.

Thompson RCMP responded to a report of a man who was stabbed just before 8 p.m. Friday evening and found a 42-yearold Thompson man with

life-threatening injuries who was transported to hospital where he remains in stable condition.

Investigation led officers to arrest 40-year-old

CITY OF THOMPSON BUILDING PERMITS & INSPECTIONS

NOTICE OF IMPROVEMENT

The City of Thompson is pleased to offer residents, builders and business owners in our community an online system to apply for and track your building permits.

So if you are in the works of planning your new project whether it is an addition, alteration, conversion, repair, improvement to your principal building or accessory building (commercial or residential) we have made it simple and easy to apply.

The Cloudpermit building permit system allows you to apply for and to see the status of your applications anywhere, at any time. You can start an application and finish it later, and receive email updates on the status

Johnathon Denechezhe from Hatchet Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan. He was charged with aggravated assault and remanded into custody.

of your permit application. You can even request building inspections with results sent immediately to your email!

To get started, create your Cloudpermit account by visiting https:// ca.cloudpermit.com/login.

Any questions or assistance with the system please go to https://www. thompson.ca/p/permits or give us a call or email:

Danny Haywood, Building Inspector 204-677-7953

Thompson Citizen file photo Thompson RCMP Staff Sgt. Shane Flanagan, seen here at a Chamber of Commerce meeting last June, says the public played a key role an April 26 arrest, pointing out a suspect who had assaulted two people and helping the officer out when the suspect kicked him.

Keep fi against tuberculosis

To the Editor:

is a highly contagious disease, Each year, TB claims the lives people worldwide. TB is not only a World countries, but also here in higher prevalence in the north. vaccination, disease prevention

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease, caused by bacteria. Each year, TB claims the lives of 1.7 million people worldwide. TB is not only a problem in Third World countries, but also here in Canada, with a higher prevalence in the north.

Due to the lack of vaccination, disease prevention is most important. Additionally, some TB bacteria have changed over the years, giving rise to forms of multi-drug resistant TB, which means treatment is lengthy, complicated and accompanied by severe side effects.

Additionally, some TB bacteria the years, giving rise to forms resistant TB, which means treatment complicated and accompanied by severe one in four people in this world is World TB day, raising awarean opportunity to mobilize funds elimination. I am glad to see Canada as global fund to fight tuberculosis. commitment continues in the future our goal to stop TB.

Did you know that one in four people in this world have TB? March 24 is World TB day, raising awareness and providing an opportunity to mobilize funds towards TB elimination. I am glad to see Canada as a top donor to the global fund to fight tuberculosis. I hope that this commitment continues in the future so that we can meet our goal to stop TB.

Karolin Klement Calgary

School board opts for status quo, which way will city council go?

Thomplocal bodies prothe representathem made not numbers, trustagainst trustee only reof seven to earlier, than a Thompsonvoice prowould from to the of people for-

School board opts for status quo, which way will city council go?

This week’s news that responsibility for operating the Thompson Healing Centre, the Princeton Drive facility offering expanded services for people in the city who don’t have permanent homes, including emergency overnight accommodations formerly provided at the homeless shelter, is passing from the Canadian Mental Health Association to Manitoba Keewatinowi Oikimakanak, which represents two dozen Northern Manitoba First Nations, is, at least conceptually, a positive development.

mer councillor Luke Robinson, who served one term on council from 2010 to 2014 before being defeated by Mayor Dennis Fenske in the race to become head of council last time that Thompsonites went to the polls about three-and-half years ago – was in favour of reducing the numbers, with the other seven opposed. Although council hasn’t yet voted on second reading of that bylaw, the next stage towards it becoming official, there’s at least a better than even chance that it will be approved. As watchers of council will have noticed, the proposals that make it to the council floor have a tendency to be approved by at least two-thirds of its members and, given that

Both of Thompson’s local elected bodies have considered proposals to reduce the number of representatives comprising them and one of them made a choice March 13 not to shrink its numbers, as school board trustees voted 6-1 against a resolution by trustee Ryan Land (the only vote in support) to reduce the number of trustees from seven to five.

Most important is the fact that MKO intends to finally get Thompson something that has been on city officials’ wish list for years — a 24-hour sobering centre that will provide an alternative to locking up dangerously intoxicated people in cells at the RCMP detachment while they sober up.

Better than plans, however, will be when the facility, sometimes in years

or decades past referred to a detox centre, is actually in operation.

It took a long time, until 2020, before a commitment was made by the provincial government to support such a centre in Thompson. That was nearly three years ago.

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.

It still doesn’t exist, despite the fact that there is $2.8 million in provincial funding to support it. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly didn’t speed the process along, by any means, but a sobering centre has been an urgent need in Thompson since before this mayor, or the one before her, was elected and it really can’t get up and running fast enough.

One night earlier, slightly more than a half-dozen Thompsonites showed up to voice their opinion on a proposed bylaw that would see council shrink from eight councillors to six, not including the mayor. Only one of that handful of people with an opinion – for-

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

The reason that going from the CMHA’s organizational hands to MKO’s is at least a decent plan isn’t because the CMHA did a bad job of running the shelter or that MKO is guaranteed to do a good one, or that the still planned but not operational sobering centre will alleviate all of Thompson’s

mer councillor Luke Robinson, who served one term on council from 2010 to 2014 before being defeated by Mayor Dennis Fenske in the race to become head of council last time that Thompsonites went to the polls about three-and-half years ago – was in favour of reducing the numbers, with the other seven opposed. Although council hasn’t yet voted on second reading of that bylaw, the next stage towards it becoming official, there’s at least a better than even chance that it will be approved. As watchers of council will have noticed, the proposals that make it to the council floor have a tendency to be approved by at least two-thirds of its members and, given that

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.

addictions-related woes and the copious crime that accompanies them. The reality is that most users of the homeless shelter are Indigenous and having the facility that caters to them under the control of an Indigenous organizations is at the very least, better optics, and, one would hope, will mean a greater understanding of the clients’ needs and realities from those in charge.

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.

It is also good thinking to move from a multi-agency approach, like the one that was used to develop the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, to having a single entity in charge. Committees are great for consultative purposes, to ensure a broad spectrum of ideas are considered, and to maximize a sense of ownership and responsibility among those organizations that a proposed strategy relates to, but it’s not necessarily the best way to run things. You either need consensus or to have

One of the arguments

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

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.

those involved be satisfied with merely airing their ideas, though not necessarily having them translated into action. Without either of these two conditions, a committee essentially gives an objector veto power, as is the case in many, though not all, jury trials, depending on the jurisdiction in which they are held. Democracy is a great thing in a lot of ways, but it isn’t the best way to ensure things get done. When everybody has responsibility, in some ways nobody does and that can slow down the process of making sure that things that need to get done actually do get done.

Make no mistake. Thompson needs to have a sobering centre up and running. It won’t stop the problems associated with alcohol, but it will help to manage at least some of their effects. As we’ve said in this space before, on basically this very topic, the measure of an endeavour’s success isn’t how it was done but whether

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

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.

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.

it is achieving some of the desired results. If a sobering centre can cut down on the amount of time RCMP and other emergency services spend dealing with so-called nuisance crimes like public intoxication, keep intoxicated people safe, and prevent deaths like two that took place in Thompson RCMP cells over the last few years, those will be indicators of success. However, as Coun. Earl Colbourne said at the time that the provincial government transferred the former University College of the North campus buildings to the city with the intention of a sobering centre being housed there, such a facility is not going to solve Thompson’s problems. Nevertheless, having an organization that is cognizant of its clientele’s needs and circumstances that has the authority to make decisions on its own be the place where the buck stops may be one of the necessary conditions to ensure that it gets up and running.

One of the arguments

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?

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.

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

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Will there be collaboration with other agencies? Of course there will. Complex problems require complex solutions and there likely won’t be a completely linear progression from where the city is now to having an effective sobering centre. Sometimes you have to try things to figure out if they work. Mistakes are part of the learning process. The problems that people often complain about in Thompson today — alcohol abuse, crime, homelessness, all the litter — are not new problems, though some may have gotten worse over time. A sobering centre is part of the way to reduce their ill effects. The need for it has long been recognized and probably talked to death. The important next step is to turn it from a dream into a reality. That day has always been getting closer. But honestly, it can’t get here fast enough. nor can effective ways to help manage some of Thompson’s other problems.

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?

Having one organization in charge should help to get much-needed sobering centre up and running

Norway House RCMP track down suspect who fled onto lake and fell through ice

Norway House RCMP officers spent over two hours tracking a man wanted for sexual assault on April 28, during a pursuit that also involved them rescuing him after he fell through the ice and treating him for hypothermia.

Officers on patrol spotted the wanted man around 1 p.m. Friday. He ran off into the bush when he saw the police and they chased after him. The fleeing

suspect went onto the ice of Little Playgreen Lake and fell through it several times, losing his shoes in the process.

Three RCMP officers put on floater suits and went out onto the ice after him, with one falling through and into the water, though the officer was able to get out and was not injured in the process. Police got the man off the ice, despite him assaulting them, and took him into

custody. The man went into medical distress as a result of hypothermia and the officers got him into a makeshift shelter and delivered first aid while planning how to get him out of the area, which is not accessible by vehicle.

Aided by emergency medical services personnel, local firefighters and First Nation Safety Officers, police transported the suspect out of the woods

on a stretcher and took him to hospital for treatment. He was then released into police custody, where he remains.

The pursuit lasted twoand-a-half hours and covered a distance of seven kilometres, police say.

Clayton Dixon, 21, faces additional charges, including two of assaulting a police officer and one of resisting arrest.

Province takes tentative steps towards return of exams

BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

High school teachers will hand out provincial exams once again in the fall, but government officials have yet to decide how much Grade 12 test results will count — if anything — toward a student’s final course mark.

This week, Manitoba Education released more details about the rollout of its new assessment schedule to public, independent and First Nations school leaders.

The first stage of the plan involves the introduction of Grade 10 evaluations and reinstatement of final-year exams, after a hiatus that was initially triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes into effect in the first semester of 2023-24.

Current Grade 9 students will be tested on their mathematics, reading and writing skills upon entering a new level next year. The assessment process is anticipated to take participants three hours in total.

“They are intended to be used as a formative assessment to identify student learning strengths and needs to inform planning at the student, classroom, school and system level. Currently, there are no plans to include these results on student report cards,” Janet Tomy, assistant deputy minister of student achievement and inclusion, said in an April 26 letter.

Tomy said a decision

on the weight of Grade 12 tests — the final element of 40S English Language Arts, French, French as a second language, and respective applied, essential and pre-calculus mathematics courses — has yet to be determined.

These timed assessments have traditionally accounted for 30 per cent of each student’s overall mark, with the exception of the 20 per cent essential mathematics test.

Grade 12 student Bonnie Chen said it makes sense to maintain those percentages because high-stakes tests motivate students to hone their study skills and learn how to review content across numerous units.

The 17-year-old laments her limited experience taking such tests, owing to her high school experience being disrupted by COVID-19, because she knows they will be unavoidable at the university level.

“To be blunt, exam weeks are dreadful and it’s not fun

— but at the same time, they are essential to prepare us for the bigger things that are to come,” said Bonnie, who is planning to study sciences at the University of British Columbia next year.

The onset of the pandemic and renewed concerns about student well-being have prompted schools to shift away from assigning anxiety-inducing tests in recent years. Last semester, teachers in both Winnipeg’s St. James-Assiniboia and Louis Riel districts were asked to refrain from giving finals worth more than 10 per cent of a course grade.

The education department revealed it was discontinuing Grade 12 provincial exams in the summertime, as part of its assessment schedule revamp.

Government officials recently walked back that announcement, which sparked concern among testing traditionalists, citing ongoing conversations about

the value of continuing the longstanding tradition within Manitoba Education.

The revived exams are slated to be “similar in process and structure” as the last ones administered in January 2020, Tomy told superintendents in her memo.

Existing elementary and middle-years evaluations will also proceed as usual, although the bureaucrat signalled plans to develop new Grade 4 and 7 evaluations.

Superintendent Christian Michalik said he would rather see dollars earmarked for ongoing professional development, so teachers can collectively reflect on their practices related to daily classroom evaluation — “which represents 99.999 per cent of the assessments that matter (on) a student’s school journey.”

“I’d like to see the evidence that investment in these large-scale testing programs results in school improvement,” said Michalik, who oversees the Louis Riel School Division.

A spokesperson for the Manitoba Teachers’ Society indicated the union generally does not have any problems with “assessments that inform instruction and are genuinely used to help students.”

“But we do not support using high-stakes exams to compare and rank the performance of students, teachers, schools and divisions,” society president Nathan Martindale said in a statement.

in finding Mitchell 27-year-old Klyne, Eric 20-year-old ter Umpherville, Easterville, lieved to nipeg. erous aggravated sault with breaking Anyone tion on pects’ asked to

RCMP photo

Norway House RCMP, emergency medical services personnel, firefighters and First Nation Safety Officers teamed up to transport a man out of the woods on a stretcher April 28 after he fled onto Little Playgreen Lake and fell through the ice several times, becoming hypothermic.

Thompson Citizen file photo

Education Minister Wayne Ewasko

‘New guy’ at chiropractic clinic chose Thompson over Toronto

BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

When Jordan Osborne graduated and became a licensed chiropractor, he knew what he wanted to do.

Get out of the city.

“I was willing to literally move anywhere that wasn’t within the GTA,” says the former Toronto-area resident who has now been in Thompson for about twoand-a-half years. “I wanted to be somewhere where I was actually needed.”

With his wife having recently completed firefighting and paramedic programs, the Hub of the North was a good place for her to gain some experience as well.

The opportunities that Thompson presents are clear to Osborne, as an outsider. Less than three years after graduating, the chiropractor and his wife own a home and now, he is the owner of the Thompson Chiropractic Clinic as well, having purchased it from Dr. Chelsea Lillbeck at the start of February.

“My schooling was extremely expensive,” he said during an interview in his Cree Road clinic. “Had we not moved to Northern Manitoba, there’s not a chance of it, owning a house already.”

He also knows, as the only chiropractic clinic town, that he can have all the business he can handle.

“When that opportunity [to own the clinic] was presented to me, after some negotiations it seemed like a no-brainer to move forward with just taking over.”

Osborne has family in

Manitoba and Saskatchewan and he remembers, as a city kid, the thrill it was to visit his cousins in northern Ontario.

“You get a chance to go fishing with your grandfather, shoot guns,” he said, and remembers thinking “Oh, this is great,” though he didn’t get the chance to do it very often.

Since coming to Thompson, he and wis wife have embraced ice fishing as one of their favourite activities,

“One of our first purchases was nice fishing auger,” Osborne says. “That Christmas, we got nice fishing tents. And slowly we've accumulated pretty much all the ice fishing gear we need.”

For summertime recreation, they’ve purchased a camper and access to the outdoors is one of the things that makes Thompson great in Osborne’s eyes.

“One of my complaints in the big city is that any of the entertainment that you want to do, a lot of its structured, is paid — restaurants, bars. It gets really repetitive, really expensive and, quite honestly, pretty boring. Here there's not as much structured entertainment. But if you buy the equipment and are adventurous, there’s a million ways you can kill the day here, whether it's going out to the lake or hiking, snowshoe trails, whatever.”

2023 has been a big year for Osborne, with his wife giving birth to their first child in January and then his taking over the clinic in February. But while it sometimes seems like there’s more to do than time in the

Paint Lake Cottage Owners Association

Annual AGM

Thursday May 25, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Paint Lake Fire Hall

The following board positions are currently available:

President – 2 year term

Vice President – 1 year term

Members at Large – 2 year term

We are always open to new members joining our board and would like to hear from you with any concerns, questions or suggestions.

All are welcome to attend.

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The U13AA Thompson King Miners hockey team would like to thank the following sponsors for helping our team have a great 2022-23 season:

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day to do it, there are benefits to being the boss, even if it involves working through lunch hours and having a to-do list that seems to get two new things added to it every time that one gets crossed off.

“It allows me to control what happens with the clinic,” he said. “You have, obviously, full authority to resolve problems as you see fit.”

With a young child and a busy practice, Osborne says it is nice to know that he can work long hours and get some much-needed sleep and still be at work all day.

“There’s no morning rush or hassle to get to work,” he said. “You can be here working late and working hard when you only have a five-minute commute to get home. You can’t really beat that. You wouldn’t want to be seeing patients past six o’clock sometimes when you than have an hour commute as well on top of that.”

Despite having spent more than two years working in Thompson, Osborne says he still gets called “the new guy” by some patients.

He also says that he is proof that there are people who choose to and want to be in Thompson.

“My wife and I essentially plan on being here for quite a while,” he said.

“We aways have a lot of negativity in town about businesses here and people closing. Hey, someone actually wants to provide a service here.”

He would also like to help people understand more about what chiropractic services are abut — it’s not just someone realigning your neck and spine, he says — and to make adjustments that enable them to enjoy their lives as much as they can.

“We live in a society that kind of makes us scared to do things,” he said. “For example, you’ve heard that running is bad for your knees, or that someone with a knee problem shouldn’t ski anymore. It’s a lot of ‘don’t do that, you can’t do that, it’s bad for you.’”

Reality is a little bit more nuanced.

“Most of the evidence suggests, for a lot of these types of problems, that activity modification, rather than elimination, is one of the most important things we can do.,” he says. “One of my biggest motivations, as a chiropractor, is just to try to help teach people what they are capable of and make some of those modifications and changes so that they can do those things they want to do. One of the biggest, most rewarding aspects of what I’ve been doing so far with

some of my patients is that they’ve gone years without doing something that they want to do and helping them get back to doing it again.”

Osborne takes a holistic view of health, viewing the physical and mental aspects

as complementary.

“If you can’t do the things you want to do and you can’t stay active, it really affects the mental health,” he says. “My job is just to help people with the physical side.”

AMC backs calls to ‘regulate how much alcohol is sold across all First Nations’

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

The grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is asking the province to do more to regulate how much booze individuals can buy at provincially regulated liquor stores, just one week after a Northern Manitoba chief questioned if the province is doing enough to regulate alcohol sales and prevent bootlegging.

In an interview last week, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Chief Angela Levasseur spoke about a recent temporary booze ban in the First Nations community located 850 kilometres north of Winnipeg, and 65 kilometres west of Thompson, and about the reasons the ban was lifted after April 11.

Levasseur said leaders in the community decided a total booze ban is not something that should continue in NCN, but she also said she continues to be concerned about bootlegging of alcohol in the community and wonders how bootleggers are getting their hands on large quantities of alcohol to sell in NCN, and in other First Nations communities.

week.

AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick said she agrees with Levasseur and she would also like to see efforts ramped up in liquor stores and vendors in Manitoba to prevent the selling of large or bulk amounts of booze that could, in turn, be sold illegally in First Nations communities.

“AMC supports Chief Levasseur in calling for more regulated liquor sales to curb bootlegging and overconsumption,” Merrick said. “AMC calls on the province to regulate how much alcohol is sold across all First Nations.”

Merrick said along with greater regulations, she also wants to see more funding for mental health and addictions services in First Nations communities, because she said many community members are “self-medicating” with alcohol due to unresolved trauma, and she said many often turn to other more dangerous substances and chemicals when they don’t have access to alcohol.

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“Nobody needs to be purchasing alcohol in those large volumes, and it should set off alarm bells immediately,” Levasseur said last

“We must address the reason behind alcohol consumption,” Merrick said. “For many, it has to do with trauma and mental health issues, and in the absence of alcohol, we see that people will go to dangerous lengths

to obtain it or substitute it for dangerous illegal substances, putting First Nations citizens in danger, which we must avoid.”

According to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, which sent a statement to the Winnipeg Sun, provincially regulated liquor stores currently have no limits on how much alcohol individuals can buy, but an MBLL spokesperson said they are working with liquor stores in some communities where bootlegging is prevalent to set some bottle limits.

“Provincial liquor legislation does not set any bottle limits on retail store transactions, and as such in the majority of Liquor Marts, as allowed under law, customers may purchase as much

liquor as they choose,” an MBLL spokesperson said.

“However, MBLL has worked closely with the communities of Thompson, Leaf Rapids, Lynn Lake, Wabowden, Snow Lake, Gillam, and Riverton to set bottle limits at the Thompson Liquor Mart, and other nearby liquor vendors.

“These efforts were first undertaken more than 20 years ago to help the community and local law enforcement minimize the negative outcomes resulting from bootlegging.”

— 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.

Thompson Citizen photo courtesy of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick in a March 24 photo.

Thompson Citizen photo by Ian Graham Dr. Jordan Osborne in one of the exam rooms at the Thompson Chiropractic Clinic, which he purchased from the previous owner in February after working for her for about twoand-a-half years since becoming a licensed chiropractor.

‘These drugs are killers:’ Man warns parents after son dies from overdose

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

On April 27, Joseph Fourre sat with his son and watched a Jets game with him for what would be the very last time.

And as he prepared the next day to take his son off life support, Joseph said he hopes his story can be a warning to others about the toxic drugs that, more and more, are making their way into this province, and destroying lives.

“We need to have a real and honest discussion at all levels about what we are going to do about this killer that is out there,” Joseph said over the phone April 28, just hours before his son, 31-year-old Harlan Fourre, was to be taken off life support at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.

According to Joseph, he and his son bonded for years over their love of the Winnipeg Jets, so one day before Harlan was to be taken off life support because of what Joseph said is a “catastrophic brain injury,” Joseph sat with him at the hospital and watched the Jets play their last game of the season on a hospital room TV.

He said while he was there on April 27, he imagined the types of things Harlan would have been saying to him after the Jets had lost.

“He was the one who would be saying, ‘It’s OK dad, they gave us a good run,’ he was the one that was

always so positive.”

Harlan lived in Winnipeg, but had travelled to The Pas and was there the previous weekend to work on a job, as Joseph said Harlan was a career roofer, who often worked 15-hour days on job sites.

“This was a hard-working young man who loved life and loved the people around him,” Joseph said. “This was not someone with any history of drug addictions or issues, and that is why this has come as such a shock to

everyone.”

On April 22, Joseph got the shocking news that his son was one of four people who police said were dis covered unresponsive in a bathroom at an establish ment in The Pas on a Sat urday night and one of six in total who overdosed at the establishment that day.

Joseph said he now be lieves those who overdosed ingested drugs that could have been ecstasy that was laced with an opioid, al though RCMP say samples

of the drugs are still being tested, and they cannot yet confirm what the men ingested.

According to Joseph, emergency responders treated all the victims with naloxone, a medication used to counteract the effects of opioids, but while the others were revived and are now recovering, he said the naloxone did not work on his son.

Just days later, hospital staff told Joseph that his son was not going to recover from his injuries, and the family decided on the afternoon of April 28 that they would take him off life support and begin making funeral plans.

Joseph said although Harlan was someone who would hang out with friends and have a good time, he was never a drug addict, and he says he now believes his son simply made a terrible

and fatal mistake.

“From the time I got word on Saturday, I just said, ‘That can’t be right. He’s not on drugs,’ and he should not have taken them, but they also had no idea what was really in them,” Joseph said.

He is also angry and frustrated because he said drug dealers continue to sell increasingly toxic drugs and drug combinations they know can kill the people they are selling them to.

“They know what they are giving that person, and that person does not know,” he said. “It’s just the purest form of greed.”

Joseph now hopes, if anything, his son’s story can be a warning to others about the kinds of drugs that are out there.

“I’m telling parents out there to have a real and honest conversation with your children, and bring up my

son’s story if you have to, because this stuff being sold on the streets, it’s a lot more potent than it ever used to be.

“This is far from being recreational drugs anymore, these drugs are killers.”

And as Joseph now prepares for his son’s funeral, he said he plans to continue speaking out about the dangers of drugs and opioids, because he hopes others won’t have to go through the kind of loss that he and his family are dealing with now.

“This could happen to anyone’s child, and it’s devastating,” Joseph said.

“We are not supposed to bury our children.”

— 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.

Submitted photo/Local Journalism Initiative Joseph Fourre with his 31-year-old son Harlan Fourre in hospital.

Roving Latvian bookseller peddling wares to support his education

BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

If a man with an accent shows up at your door selling educational books, do not be alarmed.

It’s just Ilja the Education Man, as he calls himself on his Facebook page.

A 26-year-old Latvian who is entering his last year studying to be a gym teacher and handball coach at the Latvia Academy of Sport Education, Ilja Skopincevs arrived in Thompson in the last week of April and has been going door-todoor peddling educational materials for Southwestern Advantage, an educational publisher and direct selling company.

Skopincevs has done this sort of work before. His first time was six years ago in the United States.

“It was challenging,” he recalls. “I didn’t know English very well. I was just

working super had and getting a lot of rejection. That was really hard.”

Since then, however, he has improved both his English and his salesmanship and says he plans to remain in Manitoba until his work permit runs out in September and it is time for him to return for the last year of his bachelor’s degree studies.

He got his Canadian work permit last year and went to the Carberry area in September.

“I liked it, so I thought, ‘OK I’ll come back in the spring and summer,’” Skopincevs says.

Since returning on April 3, he worked in Neepawa for a few weeks while staying with a host family in Minnedosa.

He arrived in Thompson April 25 and has been staying in an Airbnb. Skopincevs plans to be in Thompson for at least another week,

maybe longer if someone steps up to be a host family.

“I’m trying to learn the culture of people who live here,” he explains. “The best place to learn about it is from a host family. I cannot learn it from a hotel.”

Selling books door-todoor, which Skopincevs says he does up to 13 hours a day, six days a week, in a second language is not easy, as people have busy lives and he needs to make a fast and favourable impression.

“Every family sees me,

first time in my life and last time in my life, so I need to be the best version of myself,” he says.

He takes selfies with many of the families who buy books from him or simply listen to his sales pitch because it can help raise awareness of who he is and what he’s doing when people see posts of him with their friends.

“It just helps me to get people to know about me.”

It also helps his family back in Latvia keep tabs on

him, he jokes.

“My mom back home sees that I’m working, not drinking beer,” Skopincevs says, recalling that when he first went to the United States his parents were skeptical about his choice, saying that it was too far away and potentially dangerous. “Now they just understand that that’s what I do.”

A former members of the Latvian national under-18 and under-21 handball teams, Skropincevs doesn’t have any plans to necessar-

ily be a salesman after he finishes university. Right now, he thinks he might do a master’s degree or another bachelor’s degree after he finishes his first. But the experiences he has had and will continue to have are valuable to him.

“When you need to go door-to-door and it’s raining or it’s snowing outside and people say ’No, no’ all the time, it’s something that keeps your character building and that’s kind of the challenge of it.”

Wendy and Steve Grandbois are happy to announce that after over half a century of conducting business in Thompson that we have sold Nickel City Motors Ltd to The North West Company of Winnipeg Manitoba. We are so happy for our customers and staff to have sold it to another Manitoba-made company such as NWC that have had roots in Northern Manitoba for many, many years

We feel Very confident that the NWC team that has been in charge of making this happen combined with all the local staff that they have retained alongside their General Manager, Brent Grandbois, that they will continue The Nickel City tradition of doing business that our Mother Wilma (Willie) and Dad Dennis Grandbois started in Thompson back in June of 1969. We have certainly come a long way with the help of you all.

We would like to extend a special “Thank You” to all of our great customers, friends and staff starting from back in June 1969 right up to April 17/2023. We have and will be holding many great memories that won’t be forgotten. We thank you so much for that and your patronage over the 54 years and truly appreciate all who have helped us make Nickel City Motors the successful business that it is and will be in the future .

We ourselves look forward to remaining in Manitoba and becoming customers with this young and vibrant New Nickel City (2022) Team Best Wishes, Wendy and Steve Grandbois along with the entire Grandbois Family, Kids and Spouses.

Thompson Citizen photo by Ian Graham Ilja Skopincevs arrived in Thompson April 25 to sell educational books and says he plans to stay here at least another week. A university student from Latvia, Skopincevs has a Canadian work permit that allows him to sell books door-todoor until it’s time for him to return to school in September.

Tories give up plans to allocate funds based on student success

BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

The Manitoba Progressive Conservatives are abandoning controversial plans to disburse funding to colleges and universities based on institutional data related to student and alumni success.

“We want to instead focus on exploring what accountability looks like and what measures would be acceptable to partners in this field,” Advanced Education Minister Sarah Guillemard wrote in a letter to stakeholders April 28.

Government officials have been working on a so-called post-secondary accountability framework since the auditor general criticized their office’s limited oversight of school operations in a 2020 report.

The final document was anticipated to overhaul the way the province pays for education by requiring schools to report and attain certain achievement metrics in exchange for operating dollars — a model popular across the United States.

The proposal prompted administrations and academics to vocalize their fears that performance-based funding — be it tied to student admission and progression, institutional efficiency data or otherwise — could have unintended consequences.

Citing their concerns and COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to the sector, Guillemard confirmed the province is no longer pursuing it.

Instead, she said the advanced education department is focused on improving its public reporting on universities and colleges while searching for ways to streamline and reduce the disclosure burden placed on schools.

The announcement

comes about five months after Premier Heather Stefanson indicated the Tories were taking “a step back” to re-evaluate the subject.

(Her predecessor, premier Brian Pallister, had signalled an interest in adapting Tennessee’s formula, which takes into account annual research dollars obtained, degrees granted and related figures.)

“Greater transparency

of the financials of universities is essential. We saw what happened at Laurentian (University in Sudbury, Ont.) when the numbers were hidden from everyone… and so, we would like a system where we can scrutinize budgets carefully and openly,” said Scott Forbes, president of the Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations.

However, Forbes said linking funding to reporting would not increase ef-

ficiency and instead raise barriers to entry for students who have long been underrepresented in higher education programs.

These funding formulas incentivize schools to heighten entrance standards and prioritize the acceptance of applicants who are most likely to graduate as quickly as possible, he said, noting such adjustments favour students from wealthy families.

“It’s a fundamental issue

of equity. We want everyone to be able to participate in higher education — it’s one of the ladders for social progress,” Forbes added.

Student group leader Marie Paule Ehoussou, who indicated she was “really, really thrilled” about the latest development, echoed those comments.

Ehoussou and her colleagues at the Canadian Federation of Students have long been lobbying officials to throw out the metric-based funding model they claimed the government would use to push certain academic programs and justify future cuts.

Multiple public school boards also penned letters to the province condemning the policy’s potential impact on their graduates and Manitoba at-large.

Guillemard told the Winnipeg Free Press the province is responding to “loud and clear” pushback, including post-secondary leaders’ articulate concerns about a one-size-fits-all approach.

Consultations on the accountability framework, which began late last summer, are ongoing.

Officials have yet to hear from Indigenous leaders regarding the metrics the department should be collecting to improve student success and institutional transparency — which will not be tied to funding — before drawing up a blueprint, the minister said.

Thompson Citizen photo courtesy of Sarah Guillemard/Twitter

Advanced Education Minister Sarah Guillemard, seen here meeting with staff and board members from University College of the North on May 2, said April 28 that the provincial government is abandoning plans to tie post-secondary funding to institutional data measuring student and alumni success.

‘The violence pandemic continues:’ MPs declare MMIWG2S a national emergency

BY MATTEO CIMELLARO LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, CANADA’S NATIONAL OBSERVER

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

On May 2, the House of Commons unanimously passed a motion declaring the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people a national emergency.

The motion was tabled by Leah Gazan, NDP critic for women and gender equity, and arrived just before Red Dress Day on May 5.

The adopted motion included a call to provide immediate and substantial investment in a red dress alert system to help notify the public when an Indigenous woman, girl or two-spirit person goes missing.

At a press conference on the morning of the motion, Gazan was flanked by several grassroots First Nation, Métis and Inuit advocates and activists. She emphasized during the press conference that structures are in place to create the alert system immediately.

Gazan has met with Public Safety Minister Bill Blair

to discuss a path forward, she told Canada’s National Observer. But her patience is running out.

“They just need to come to the table and then act,” Gazan said. “I’m done with meeting for the sake of meeting.”

It’s beyond “feel-good

stuff” — action needs to happen, she added.

Currently, the government has earmarked $2.5 million over five years to implement the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited National Action Plan, but Gazan says action needs to happen

Province invests in Indigenous mental health

BY MIRANDA LEYBOURNE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, BRANDON SUN

In response to rising mental health crises in First Nations, the Manitoba government is providing more than $2.1 million to Indigenousled organizations to develop capacity for providing care.

The funding is a first step toward helping First Nations people in Manitoba who are struggling with mental health, said Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Affairs Minister Eileen Clarke.

“In the last several weeks, there’s been some real tragedies up in Northern Manitoba First Nations,” Clarke told the Brandon Sun. “It’s really difficult for chiefs and councils to deal with these issues, especially when they’re in remote areas where there’s very little access to any kind of professional help.”

Last month, Keewatin Tribal Council in Northern Manitoba declared a regional state of emergency, calling for immediate government action in the face of deficiencies in public safety, health services and infrastructure. Eleven other Manitoba First Nations declared states of emergency in March as well, with leaders citing rapidly deteriorating conditions in their communities.

The issues facing those regions include suicide, violence, inadequate medical services, drug overdose, complications from dia

betes and other prevent

able circumstances, said KTC Grand Chief Walter Wastesicoot.

Hospitalization rates for acute, chronic and mental health-related conditions are significantly higher in First Nations compared to other Manitobans, a 2021 study from the Canadian Journal of Public Health states.

The rate of suicide attempts for First Nation people is four times higher than for all other Manitobans, and the rates of deaths by suicide among First Nations people is much higher than for the rest of the province, a report from the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy says.

The one-time grant funding the province announced April 25 is a direct response to Wastesicoot and other Indigenous leaders’ concerns, Clarke said.

“This was one step we could take towards truth and reconciliation to meet needs as quickly as possible, but to give us time to work more collaboratively with communities to try to find solutions going forward,” Clarke said. The Southern Chiefs’ Organization, which has an office in Brandon, is receiving $1.069 million for its mobile crisis response team to increase capacity to deliver emergency care across southern First Nations.

By increasing the SCO’s 11-person mobile crisis response team, more trauma-informed and culturally appropriate mental health and wellness servi-

ces can be offered, which will create more positive outcomes for Anishinaabe and Dakota people, said the organization’s grand chief, Jerry Daniels.

“Supporting southern First Nation citizens, families and communities during times of crisis is of utmost importance to me and my fellow leaders,” Daniels said.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak is receiving $1.069 million to support its all-Indigenous mobile crisis response team for First Nations across the province. While the one-time funding is not a permanent solution, it’s one that Clarke hopes the province of Manitoba can build upon.

“It’s not a long-term response, but it’s one that our government could make at the time,” she said. “There’s still a lot of work to do, but it’s a matter of working together. That’s what will make a difference.”

Clarke, who recently met with KTC, said the response she has been hearing from them and other Indigenous groups is one calling for the province to come together with Indigenous-led organizations to put together a formal emergency response plan and tackle broader community social issues.

“I think we all recognize that there is a very strong desire to do exactly that — find solutions, work together and ensure that our families and kids are taken care of,” she said.

now, pointing to the recent discovery of the remains of an eight-year-old girl from Samson Cree Nation and the death of a woman from Sandy Bay First Nation over the weekend.

But this year’s federal budget notably clawed back $150 million of funding for women’s shelters, a move that “really, really worries” Carol McBride, president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada.

“I hope this resolution means that [the federal gov-

ernment] will be looking at that funding that they’re planning on clawing back.”

In question period, the Liberals pointed to the end of the pandemic as a reason to cut the shelter funds, Gazan said.

“The pandemic is over, but not the violence pandemic… The violence pandemic continues,” Gazan said.

At the press conference, Ellen Gabriel, an activist and filmmaker from Kanehsatà:ke, directly blamed pol-

iticians and bureaucrats for inaction.

“It becomes a matter of economics. It goes to the Treasury Board, rather than looking at educating you leaders, your politicians, about what human rights actually means,” Gabriel said.

“Every single one of us knows what it is to breathe, everyone knows what it means to lose a loved one. Why can’t politicians and bureaucrats understand that Indigenous Peoples are human beings as well?”

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For more information contact: Karen Burrows Project Coordinator Call/text: 204-679-6741 or email rtw@nmscouncil.ca

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Email your application & resume to: rtw@nmscouncil.ca

Thompson Citizen photo by Matteo Cimellaro, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Leah Gazan, NDP critic for women and gender equality, demands action on murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited people during a May 2 press conference.

Internet service transparency bill passes in House

BY MIRANDA LEYBOURNE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, BRANDON SUN

Canadians may expect more transparency and accurate information from internet service providers after a private member’s bill passed in the House of Commons this week.

Bill C-288, which amends the Telecommunications Act to require broadband providers to give more realistic advertising of their services, was introduced by Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa Conservative MP Dan Mazier last year.

Lack of access to quality internet services harms rural Canadians, so it’s important that consumers can make purchasing decisions based on reliable information, Mazier told the Brandon Sun.“I’ve heard so many Canadians, especially rural Canadians, tell me that they’re not getting the internet speeds they pay for. This is because the government has allowed internet companies to advertise speeds you may never receive,” said Mazier, who is also the shadow minister for rural economic development and connectivity.

Internet companies currently advertise their speeds

based on theoretical maximum numbers — the speed at which it would run under perfect conditions. Advertising phrases such as “up to” are used to convince consumers that a service is better than it is, he said.

Data released by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority found that only one-third of Canadians believed their household received the advertised speed included in their home internet package all or most of the time.

Mazier’s bill would require internet service providers to present a “reliable indicator of the speeds and quality metrics” that are in the public’s best interest.

The first step would be to require internet-service providers to offer “typical” download and upload speeds instead of theoretical maximum ones. Then, consumers would be provided with information about how their internet speed is working out during peak times, such as in the early evening.

The third part of the legislation would begin a consultation process to help develop an internet service provider framework designed from public hearings.

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

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 Family Services Supervisor, the Resource Worker is responsible for developing, maintaining, supporting, educating and licensing foster care resources for children in the care of the Agency. Adheres to the Child and Family Services Act and regulations and ensures that provincial standards are met.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Resource Pool Development

§ Licensing

§ Support to Foster Care Providers

§ Training

§ Assist with placement

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 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 within this position.

§ 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 11, 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.

Representatives from most major federal parties have vocalized their support for Mazier’s bill.

Bloc Québécois MP Kristina Michaud said in November she was particularly interested in the bill due to the rural region she represents.

“Where it is available … people are not necessarily given all of the information. Companies will say that users have access up to a certain speed, for example, when that is not always the case. It is not adapted to the needs of the service users,” Michaud said.

KEEWATIN TRIBAL COUNCIL

CRISIS RESPONSE ADVISOR

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.

Supporting reasonable regulations in the interest of consumers is one area where MPs from across party lines can find broad agreement, said Taylor Bachrach, an NDP MP from northwestern British Columbia.

Bill C-288 has also garnered significant support from telecommunication experts and advocacy organizations at Parliament’s Standing Committee on Industry and Technology. Consumer advocacy organization OpenMedia said that if an internet provider is advertising certain speeds, consumers have the right to know whether those speeds

accurately reflect average performance before they enter into a contract with the provider.

Given the number of internet service quality grievances the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services receives, making service metrics available to customers when they subscribe to an internet provider is a good step forward, the commission said. Mazier’s bill will be sent to the Senate, where it will be debated further before it can become law.

Service providers didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

EDITOR/REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER THOMPSON CITIZEN

Location: Thompson, Manitoba

Deadline for applications: May 8, 2023

DESCRIPTION

The Thompson Citizen has an immediate opening for an Editor/Journalist in Thompson, Manitoba.

Thompson, known as the “Hub of the North” in Manitoba, is a vibrant city in the middle of an outdoor paradise. The 15,000 residents of Thompson enjoy an excellent airport, a golf course, a ski hill, numerous boating and fishing areas, two ice arenas, public library, indoor swimming complex, great schools, a university campus, a live theatre, and many more amenities to satisfy any lifestyle.

The Thompson Citizen is part of the Prairie Newspaper Group, which is a division of Glacier Media. This position would be a great starting point for an enthusiastic graduate as well as a great opportunity for an experienced reporter looking for an exciting change from the regular day to day workload.

The successful applicant will be expected to cover a wide range of topics. He or she will find himself or herself reporting on current events, writing Q&A’s, business features, personal interest and taking lots of photos.

QUALIFICATIONS

This editorial position requires an organized individual who works well on his or her own as well as with a team. They need to be dedicated and diligent with a strong work ethic. He or she must have a degree or diploma in journalism or have at least five years’ experience in newspaper journalism. Experience in photography is necessary. Candidates for this position must have a valid driver license and a reliable vehicle. Kilometers are tracked and the journalist will be reimbursed.

Please send resume with cover letter to:

Noah Cooke, Publisher Thompson Citizen P.O. Box 887, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1N8 or E-mail: generalmanager@thompsoncitizen.net

Thompson Citizen photo by Brandon Sun files/Local Journalism Initiative

Dan Mazier, shadow minister for rural economic development and connectivity, says lack of access to quality internet services creates negative impacts for rural Canadians.

CRA should file the taxes for lower-income and vulnerable communities to avoid disruption to benefits, researchers say

BY MATTEO CIMELLARO LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, CANADA'S NATIONAL OBSERVER

As the Canada Revenue Agency seeks ways to encourage more Indigenous Peoples to file federal income taxes, researchers argue the federal agency needs to go beyond half-measures like simplifying technical language and running public information campaigns.

“The full measure is for them just to do your taxes,” Saul Schwartz, a tax researcher at Carleton University's School of Public Policy & Administration.

Two-thirds of Indigenous Peoples have filed taxes in the past year, according to a recent report commissioned by the CRA. That number hardly changed throughout the 2010s, according to an access-to-information request obtained by Carleton researchers.

Filing taxes can have bene

fits for low-income filers in particular, as they may be eligible for child benefits, Indigenous tax exemptions, sales tax refunds and refundable tax credits that require them to file with the CRA annually.

A disproportionate number of Indigenous Peoples are considered low-income due to colonial injustices like land dispossession, residential schools and everyday discrimination.

Almost one in five (18.8 per cent) Indigenous people in Canada lives in low-income households, according to the 2021 census. That number was down 10 per cent from 2016, likely driven by pandemic benefits. In contrast, the low-income rate in Canada in 2020 was only 9.3 per cent.

The recent CRA report also found Indigenous Peoples distrust the federal agency and experienced discrimination when interacting with

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

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

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.

the CRA.

Some might think it’s a radical idea. But it has precedent in countries like Denmark, although only simple tax returns with few deductions or credits, Schwartz and his colleague Antoine Genest-Grégoire said in an interview.

Having the federal agency file some tax returns could encourage more people to file, the researchers argue. Based on the CRA’s definition, roughly two-thirds (66.5 per cent) of personal income tax returns filed in Canada are “simple returns,” according to a recently published research paper titled “What Proportion of Tax Returns Could the Canada Revenue Agency Complete?” by Genest-Grégoire, Schwartz, Jennifer Robson and Josh Dadjo. That means there is no complex tax information such as high self-employment income or multiple sources of revenue through rentals or capital gains.

Genest-Grégoire describes the process as the CRA sending you a prefilled return using the income information they have from your employer or previous benefits. Then the filer could add medical expenses or other tax information. The process would avoid the complexity of filing on your own and make tax season much simpler for vulnerable populations like lower-income Indigenous Peoples, he said.

Under current CRA rules, Indigenous filers who don’t file on their own can either pay someone or software to do their taxes, avoid filing taxes and risk losing benefits, or depend on a program subsidized by the federal government where volunteers prepare and file income taxes for people with a modest income and simple tax situations.

Tungasuvvingat Inuit, an urban Inuit service provider based out of Ottawa and Toronto, has collaborated with

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA UNIT: WINNIPEG/THOMPSON LOCATION: TO BE DETERMINED

Position: Human Resources Generalist

One (1) Full Time Permanent position

Summary of Position:

Working in the Human Resources department, the Human Resources (HR) Generalist provides leadership and advisory services to assigned communities and departments. The work is wide-ranging from recruitment, training and development, policy development and performance management advising. The work requires knowledge of, and adherence to the Agency’s policies, and procedures, along with working knowledge of applicable legislation and an ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of people. The work environment is fast-paced and requires the incumbent to use effective organizational skills to meet the demands of the job. Additionally, the incumbent must strictly follow confidentiality requirements and have the ability to work with competing priorities.

Qualifications:

• A diploma or degree in Human Resources preferred.

• 2+ years of related experience performing human resource tasks, or a combination of related experience and education.

• Superior written, interpersonal communication, and conflict resolution skills.

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) including Office 365 and Share Point.

• A valid driver’s licence.

• Demonstrated understanding and respect for Indigenous culture.

• Ability to speak Cree or Dene is an asset.

• Knowledge of, or work experience in northern Manitoba communities is preferable.

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced, large, child welfare agency, with offices throughout the province.

• Professional office environment.

• Access to confidential and sensitive information.

• Maintain satisfactory Driver’s Abstract, Criminal Record, Child Abuse Registry and Prior Contact checks.

• Travel required.

Salary: Awasis Agency offers a competitive salary and employee benefit package. Salary will commensurate with education and experience.

Closing Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Awasis Agency provides service to Indigenous children and families, therefore preference will be given to Indigenous applicants. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify. Individuals interested in this challenging opportunity please reference Competition Number 2023-042 on your resume/cover letter and in the subject line of your email in confidence to:

Human Resources Department

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba Competition #2022-042 701 Thompson Drive, Thompson, MB R8N 2A2 Fax: 204-778-8428 Email: hr@awasisagency.ca

We thank all applicants who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may request reasonable accommodation related to the materials or activities used throughout the selection process

**Note: Awasis Agency Vaccination policy mandate: fully vaccinated plus booster

Ottawa’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program for the past four years.

“Their approach involves encouraging agencies to meet with potential tax volunteers and assess their suitability personally … and provide education whenever feasible,” Karen Orser, Tungasuvvingat Inuit’s manager of employment services, said in an email.

Another program — an automatic filing system run by the CRA that received expansion funding in the recent budget for a pilot project — has the CRA filing people’s taxes, mostly for seniors and other simple tax clients, through a questionnaire phone call.

The program shows the CRA already has an infrastructure to assess who has a simple situation, and it can be expanded for lower-income people to avoid gaps in receiving benefits, Schwartz

and Genest-Grégoire argue.

Part of the hesitation of the CRA serving clients is found in how the CRA sees itself.

Historically, the central function of the CRA has been revenue collection, Genest-Grégoire said. But problems arise when filers with lower levels of tax vocabulary, numeracy and literacy run up against the daunting task of filing, mainly when their benefits depend on them.

“They're really not trained to be helpful; they're trained to collect taxes,” Schwartz said.

The CRA didn’t return Canada’s National Observer questions in time for publication, citing disruptions due to the ongoing public service strike.

“We might yet see tax filing, perhaps one of the driest subjects in politics, become an object of lively debate in the coming years,” the research paper authors wrote.

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Family Enhancement Worker –Permanent Position Sapotaweyak Sub Office Shoal River, MB

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 Social Worker is responsible for providing and administering CFS Services in accordance with the Child & Family Services Act.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Responsible for gathering information and assessing child and family functioning problems;

§ Responsible for the development of case plans for children and families within program guidelines and provide referrals, support, guidance and problem solving;

§ Responsible for all file documentation, referrals, ensuring services are applied;

§ Case Monitoring, Risk Assessment & Follow up;

§ Provides case management and support for children in care and families.

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;

§ Required to provide on-call services on a rotating basis;

§ 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

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.

CRA Indigenous representation far below Canadian population creating gaps in services, critics say

BY MATTEO CIMELLARO LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, CANADA'S NATIONAL OBSERVER

The Canada Revenue Agency has an Indigenous representation problem in both its employment and language services, critics say.

Jennifer Robson, a professor of political management at Carleton University, researches the gaps in CRA services and how they impede its secondary role as a service provider. The CRA has too few Indigenous staff, creating gaps in its service for Indigenous Peoples, she says.

“The more that you actually have people in the tax agency (who) represent diverse perspectives, the better the planning and implementation you will get for service delivery,” Robson said.

The CRA reports 3.2 per cent of employees are Indigenous, a percentage that has not grown much

in recent years. Those numbers, included in a 2020-21 annual report on the CRA’s equity, diversity and inclusion, are far below Indigenous representation in the core public service at 5.2 per cent and the total Indigenous population in Canada at five per cent.

The CRA would need to hire over 900 Indigenous employees to catch up with their public service counterparts.

The CRA did not return a request for comment before publication, citing disruptions from the ongoing strike.

The federal agency has recently tried to better understand and improve services for its Indigenous clientele. Public opinion research from last year found that while two-thirds of Indigenous Peoples had a neutral impression of the CRA overall, nearly a quarter strongly disagreed that the CRA works for their benefit. Many had also ex-

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Intake Worker –

Permanent Position

Pukatawagan Sub Office

Mathias Colomb Cree Nation

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 DIA Service Manager and as required under the Child and Family Services Act, the Intake Worker assesses requests for service with reference to risk of children, functioning of families and service needs of families, provides crisis intervention, initiates child protection investigations, apprehends children at risk and places them in appropriate and/or available placements, initiates referrals to other community collaterals as required, and completes written reports, file recordings, forms and correspondence.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Receive & Assess Requests For Service

§ On-Site Risk Assessment

§ Determine & Implement Service

§ Documentation, Practice & Relationship Building

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

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

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

EXPERIENCE

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills

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

§ Understanding of child development and child abuse theory and practice

§ Knowledge of available resources within the community

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

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred)

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

§ Cannot be active on a protection case.

§ Varied amounts of travel required within this position.

§ 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

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.

perienced discrimination from representatives of the CRA, the research found.

Robson notes the hiring benchmark the CRA is setting for itself is too low, given the structural and systemic obstacles Indigenous Peoples face in the labour market. The CRA seeks representation in its workforce in line with “labour market availability,” or the number of available Indigenous workers in the marketplace.

But if you use the labour market as a benchmark, then you’re accepting the baked-in reality of excluding underrepresented groups like Indigenous Peoples, Robson says.

“We should actually be going further to try and look like the country that we serve.”

Part of that service should include communicating with Indigenous nations in their own languages, Robson adds.

Lisa Koperqualuk, president of the Inuit Circum-

polar Council, told Canada’s National Observer how important language is for Inuit. It’s essential for government communication, particularly on tax issues, to be received in one’s own language, she says.

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA

UNIT/OFFICE: FOX LAKE SUB-OFFICE

LOCATION: FOX LAKE, MB

Position: Foster Care Worker/Intake Stats Clerk

One (1) Full Time Permanent position

Summary of Position:

Foster Care Worker/Intake Stats Clerk identify, recruit and approve short and long-term foster homes for placement in culturally appropriate/customary care whenever possible. The Foster Care Worker/Intake Stats Clerk trains foster parents on agency policy and procedures with respect to children in care and builds ongoing relationships with foster families to ensure they are equipped for their role. The Foster Care Worker/Intake Stats Clerk is the contact person for Intakes by which the community can express its concern for children who may be in need of protection. The Foster Care Worker/Intake Stats Clerk is responsible for statistics, to maintain and administer up-to-date records of activities regarding children in care and services to families. The incumbent is knowledgeable in, and follows applicable legislation, program standards, directives and agency policy. The work environment is fast-paced and requires confidentiality, empathy, and cultural sensitivity while carrying out their responsibilities.

Qualifications:

• BSW preferred.

• 1-year of work experience preferred.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Knowledge of, or work experience in northern Manitoba communities preferred.

• CPR & First Aid an asset.

• Valid drivers license required.

• Effective, well spoken communication skills.

• Speak and understand the Cree or Dene languages an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced, community-based, multi-disciplinary child welfare environment.

• Access to highly sensitive information for which confidentiality must be kept.

• Attend home visits in the community.

• Overnight and remote travel required occasionally.

• Satisfactory Criminal Record, Child Abuse Registry, Prior Contact checks as well as a Drivers’ Abstract required prior to starting the position and throughout employment as required.

Salary: Awasis Agency offers a competitive salary and employee benefit package. Salary will commensurate with education and experience

Closing Date: Friday, May 19, 2023

Awasis Agency provides service to Indigenous children and families, therefore preference will be given to Indigenous applicants. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify. Individuals interested in this challenging opportunity please reference Competition Number 2023-044 on your resume/cover letter and in the subject line of your email in confidence to:

Human Resources Department Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba Competition #2023-044 701 Thompson Drive, Thompson, MB R8N 2A2 Fax: 204-778-8428 Email: hr@awasisagency.ca

We thank all applicants who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may request reasonable accommodation related to the materials or activities used throughout the selection process

**Note: Awasis Agency Vaccination policy mandate: fully vaccinated plus booster

“Sometimes, the government writes to you about your income tax returns and tells you you owe money, but if you don't understand that you owe the government money, well, for some people it’s very, very serious,” she said.

Ottawa does not recog -

nize Indigenous languages like Inuktitut as official languages, so the CRA has no mandate or obligation to communicate in those languages.

“That's a major gap, right, in terms of your ability to serve the local population,” Robson said.

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Family Enhancement Worker–Term Position

Mathias Colomb

Cree Nation Office Pukatawagan, 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 Social Worker is responsible for providing and administering CFS Services in accordance with the Child & Family Services Act.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Responsible for gathering information and assessing child and family functioning problems;

§ Responsible for the development of case plans for children and families within program guidelines and provide referrals, support, guidance and problem solving;

§ Responsible for all file documentation, referrals, ensuring services are applied;

§ Case Monitoring, Risk Assessment & Follow up;

§ Provides case management and support for children in care and families.

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

§ Required to provide on-call services on a rotating basis

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned

Deadline: May 11, 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.

Thompson Citizen photo by Matteo Cimellaro, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer

The CRA is behind in Indigenous representation in the department by over 900 hires when compared to its public service counterparts.