Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Serving the Hub of the North since 1960
Volume 59 • Issue 19
NCN hosts soft launch of Thompson gas bar BY KYLE DARBYSON
KYLE@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
PLAN TO TRAIN FIREFIGHTERS/ PARAMEDICS LOCALLY NEWS PAGE 2
LACK OF LOCUM SURGEONS COULD CAUSE CANCELLATIONS NEWS PAGE 3
After months of delays, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) finally opened their Thompson gas station to the public May 3. Friday’s soft launch featured appearances from various members of the NCN band council, who were excited to see the end result of a project that’s been in development since April 2017. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Chief Marcel Moody. “It’s an opportunity for NCN to add more revenue to our community and employ our people and provide a better service for the City of Thompson as well.” Moody went on to say that while they still need to complete the property’s parking lot, the convenience store is fully stocked and the gas pumps are ready to go. He also mentioned that NCN is employing roughly 20 people to run the gas bar. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee was on hand for Friday’s soft launch, and said he was proud that NCN was adding another Thompson business to its portfolio. “It goes to show what a First Nation can do when they set their mind and put their heart into an issue,” he said. “I myself commit to supporting this business whole
Thompson Citizen photo by Kyle Darbyson From left to right, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Coun. Jaqueline Walker, Vice-Chief Cheryl Moore, Chief Marcel Moody and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee pose next to the pumps during the May 3 soft launch of NCN’s Thompson gas bar. heartedly. This is where I’ll fill up my 4x4.” Moody told the Thompson Citizen that NCN will host an official grand opening ceremony in late May or early June when they put the finishing touches on the gas bar.
Until then, the NCN chief invited anyone with an Indian status card to fill up with treaty gas at the station, which will offer 24/7 service. “It’s been long overdue for our community and for the people who
are going to be using the facility,” he said. NCN also owns Family Foods, the Mystery Lake Hotel and Meta Cannabis Supply in Thompson, the last of which opened for business in December 2018.
Thompson first community in Manitoba to complete Community Wildfire Protection Plan, provincial government says
GAMERS GATHERINGS EXERCISE IMAGINATION NEWS PAGE 5
BROTHERS EARN SILVER AT BADMINTON PROVINCIALS SPORTS PAGE 8
Thompson is the first Manitoba community to complete a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, the provincial government announced May 4. The two-part plan was developed with assistance from the Manitoba Wildfire Program and the Office of the Fire Commissioner using Fire Smart Canada’s guidance documents. It ensures an organized preplanned response to active wildfires that threaten the community and mitigates the risk posed by such fires through vegetation management, public education and community development. “Wildfire is an ever-present threat to many of our communities and can cause significant damage to property and natural resources,” said Blaine Pedersen, minister responsible for the Office of the Fire Commissioner, in a press release. “We all need to be aware of these risks, and take every step we can to protect our communities and lands.” The plan offers quick access to information such as which structures would be targeted for sprinklers and where staging areas and shelters will be, as well as the roles of different agencies in the event that a wildfire threatens the city. “We are pleased to see these steps taken to address the risk that fire poses to northern communities,”
Thompson Citizen photo courtesy of City of Thompson A fire near Eastwood on May 2018 nearly required nearby residents to be evacuated before firefighters got it under control. Sustainable Development Minister protection officer Shauna Kortz and Rochelle Squires said. “Our fire pro- regional forester Bruce Holmes to gram is ready to respond to forest update the city on the plan, which fires but we cannot always prevent was not yet complete at that point. them. That’s why we want more Kortz said then that a big part of communities to follow Thompson’s preparing for an outbreak involves lead and be better prepared against managing all the trees, bushes and the risk of wildfire.” dry grassy areas near one’s residence. Thompson Fire & Emergency “We want to reduce fire intensity Services Chief Mike Bourgon ap- as influenced by the surrounding peared before Thompson city council vegetation, so we’re encouraging a little overa year ago alongside fire reduction of all fuel loads,” she said.
Bourgon told council that residents can protect their homes by ensuring that they have working sprinklers, since more than 50 per cent of homes destroyed by wildfires come as a result of falling embers. “We’re extremely proud of the partnerships we built through the Community Wildfire Protection Plan,” said Bourgon in the provincial government’s press release. “Events across the country over the last few years have shown that a wildfire prevention plan is essential to the safety of Thompson and its residents, especially given our location in the heart of the boreal forest. The plan will be regularly updated as Thompson changes and we learn new methods for keeping our residents safe.” Manitoba spends millions of dollars every spring and summer fighting wildfires that damage forests and threaten communities. About 100 Marcel Colomb First Nation members voluntarily evacuated to Lynn Lake and then to Thompson late last June as a wildfire approached the community. Lynn Lake was also under voluntary evacuation status for residents with respiratory problems, children under five years old and pregnant women. A human-caused fire in the bush near Eastwood in May 2018 nearly prompted the evacuation of nearby residents.