October 13 2023

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Nickel Belt News

Volume 58 Number 11

Friday, March 16, 2018

Thompson, Manitoba

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Friday, October 13, 2023

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Volume 63 • Issue 38

Indigenous groups upbeat after election The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) said that Kinew’s election as premier stands as a powerful affirmation of increased inclusivity and First Nations’ participation and representation within Manitoba’s political landscape. Along with congratulating Kinew, a press release sent out by the AMC after the election also sent special congratulations to the First Nations and Indigenous members of Kinew’s NDP government — Ian Bushie, MLA for Keewatinook; Nahanni Fontaine, MLA for St. John’s; Bernadette Smith, MLA for Point Douglas; Amanda Lathlin, MLA for The Pas and Kameesak; and Eric Redhead, MLA for Thompson. AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick said the election results are a source of great pride for Manitoba’s First Nations. “We look forward to working closely with Premier Kinew’s government to responsibly and respectfully fulfil the aspirations of First Nations people in Manitoba,” she said.

BY MIRANDA LEYBOURNE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, BRANDON SUN

Indigenous groups in the province and across the country are celebrating Wab Kinew becoming the premier-elect in Manitoba, making him the first First Nations person to do so. Wabanakwut (Wab) Kinew has served as the leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party (NDP) and the leader of the Opposition since 2017. Representing Fort Rouge in the legislature, Kinew won his seat and his role as premier-elect on Tuesday night’s election. The membership, staff and volunteers of the Brandon Friendship Centre have congratulated Wab Kinew for being elected premier of Manitoba in Tuesday’s Photo courtesy of Local Journalism Initiative provincial election. Manitoba's Premier-elect Wab Kinew is shown here chatting with Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand Kinew has made cam- last winter at Louis Riel's gravesite at the St. Boniface Cathedral in Winnipeg. Chartrand has extended congratulations paign promises what will to Kinew on being elected the first First Nations premier. benefit the clients of FriendThe results of the elec- Daniels said. Now, he is inherent rights, languages, ship Centres in Manitoba the inspiration he provides to Indigenous youth and tion reflect the diversity of excited at the opportunity to customs and traditions, and all Manitobans, Jacquethe province and its shared forge a new and respectful along with creating posiline Henry, president of the communities.” Kinew shows that with commitment to a strong and relationship with the NDP. tive health and economic Brandon Friendship Cendetermination and persever- inclusive vision for the fu“I know we both share a outcomes for our Nations tre, told the Sun, including ance, Indigenous people can ture, Chartrand said. common goal of protecting and for all people living in mashkiki — medicine in The MMF also congratu- and enhancing our peoples’ Manitoba,” Daniels said. Anishinaabemowin, and the achieve anything they set facilities to ensure all Mani- their minds to and gives the lated all Indigenous people community a sense of hope who ran in the election, and tobans have access to it. “Strong and healthy and possibility, the release said it looks forward to fosManitobans make it pos- said. Sioux Valley plans to tering a government-to-govsible to reconciliate, mov- form a collaborative rela- ernment relationship with ing all Manitobans forward tionship with Kinew and the NDP, built on an undertowards a better future,” his administration, working standing of shared priorities together to address press- and concerns. Henry said. From the moment the writ David Gray, president of ing issues facing Indigenous Thompson Mayor Col- the province will continue government has a responsthe Manitoba Association communities, it went on to was dropped, Jerry Daniels, leen Smook and her council with this new government,” ibility to help address Grand Chief of the South- colleagues congratulate the said Smook. of Friendship Centres, said say. chronic homelessness, not The Sun contacted Sioux ern Chiefs’ Organization NDP and premier-designate Kinew and his team ran a “As the mayor of a large- only in Winnipeg but also in campaign that addressed Valley Chief Jennifer Bone (SCO), believed that the Wab Kinew on their histor- ly Indigenous city in a re- Thompson and other Manithe many needs of urban for comment but did not re- election was an opportun- ic victory in the October 3 gion in which the majority toba communities. Indigenous Manitobans ceive a reply by press time. ity for the citizens of SCO provincial election on be- of the population is IndigenThe mayor also invited The National Govern- member nations to have half of the city’s residents. ous, I know that many of Kinew, who has visited with integrity. “We have an existing ment of the Red River their voices heard, he said The NDP are poised to re- our residents and those in Thompson several times Nickel Belt News photo by Ian Graham relationship with him and Métis, the Manitoba Métis in a press release sent out turn to the government side the surrounding area were prior to and since becoming Federation (MMF), conafter the election. Addictions Foundation of Manitoba northern director Gisele deMeulles has written a book about her experiences growing up, mostly in Churchill. know that he understands of the Manitoba Legislative overjoyed to see our prov- NDP leader, most recently “With an Anishinaabe Assembly after seven years ince elect an Indigenous a few weeks ago during the the issues well. We expect gratulated Kinew on being thewrite first things Indigenous premier now elected pre- was BY GRAHAM For allcampaign, the harsh weather that you have man ‘Oh, I’m just as bad,as right?’ a veryOpposition safe thing swallow people thatIAN he and his team will to as thenot Official politician when as premier. Wesay are election to travel since John Norquay, a Red mier-designate, it’s clear EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET I have all these stories and to fi gure out. It’s pretty clear to do but I jumped at it. I that Churchill residents and the of polar usher in a renewed relafollowing a campaign that proud of our province for up to the dangers Hub of North any River Métis who held office that peoplesthem hadfora thought Thoughwith she’sour nowmember written when I get through.” I needour to capture that them was exciting justthe findfirst somewhere said if it tionship ended with captur- should becoming in Can- bears, time hedeMeulles wants, preferably 1887. impact on the until a book and about experien- in DeMeulles said she wrote significant my grandchildren really the seats, plane landed and easier live.a party with a had been viable centres theher communities ing 34 five more ada to to elect sooner than later.she would “We congratulate Wab final results,” Daniels ces growing up in Churchill, her book, titled Whispers in because they will be lost if they started throwing the “To say, ‘Those people have moved back to Churchthey serve,” Gray said in a than needed to give them First Nations leader.” “Thompsonites are andStories his party for Isaid. “First Nations have a fuel Addictions Foundation of Kinew the Wind: from the don’t.” off and Iin realized, ‘Holy choose live there. in a heartbeat. press release. a majority the legislaThe to mayor also They ex- ill known for their hospitality their successful campaign and cats, Manitoba northern director - Life in Churchill for strength-based She also has aculture, reputation I was probably sitting tended should just leave,’ is quite and “I Imiss shoreline, Sioux Valley Dakota Na- North ture when the candidates congratulations can the assure you thatI and for their attention to we commend the majority Gisele deMeulles said writa couple of reasons. as a storyteller herself. on a bomb.’” simplistic. It’s quite disremiss the rock, I miss the tion, located 50 kilometres elected October 3 are of- to Thompson MLA-elect we would give a warm our priorities as Red Rivof voters for rejecting the ing wasn’t something she “I just sort of thought, “I had such a varied hisAnother thing that spectful. If we were in the polar bears even though northwest of Brandon, exficially sworn in. The NDP Eric Redhead, who cap- welcome to our next preer Métis,” divisive of the spurred always she would know MMF what, President this his- tory and Icampaign would tell people herwhen on was the tured same boat in another area they’re very dangerous tended thought congratulations to you had 18 seats the 42nd a second term with mier any time he wantsand to David Chartrand said. “It is Progressive Conservatives.” do. tory, this stuff that’s in my hard times facing Churchill I think we would scream I really miss the Hudson stories and they would go, Kinew on his appointment Legislative Assembly was a handy victory, and to his pay a visit,” Smook said. fitting it’s thatgoing this province — ‘That’s Heading intoisthe provI never head, to be gone not true, it?’ I’d go, since the Hudson Rail- about so whyNDP don’t canthey Bay,” she says. “When seaI go as“In the my firstyouth First Nations dissolved and theBay general fellowthat northern “Christmas shopping which Nation brought incial it’s campaign, the SCO felt goodofatManitoba writing,” in she I don’tour write it down,” she ‘Yeah true.’ They’d go, way the Amanda option to do that? back standing oncorthe suspended premier a if election called. operations have didates Lathlin son ishome, just around the into Canada’s confederhighlighted several key said. “But when I moved ‘You didn’t do all that, did said. “My kids are not gonorth of Gillam last spring. I think right now they’re Hudson Bay looking out on press release sent out on Kinew, who won the NDP (The Pas-Kameesak), Tom ner and Thompson and the ation — has become the issues for its nations, into Thompson to get into ing to get it if I don’t do it you? You’ve got to be really “It used to be a really feeling like they’re pawns the bay, it just gives you an Wednesday. leadership in 2017, becomes Lindsey (Flin Flon) and Ian North always have a long first it’s province to welcome cluding the ‘No, affordable the“This school of social work, and something I’ve al- old.’ I was like, actually thriving community a political game and that’s incredible sense. feel so significant achieveManitobalarge and Canada’s first in Bushie (Keewatinook). wish list for the You provincial a Firstwanted Nationsmy premier in Ihousing decreasing at that I had to write ways mom to did all crisis, that before I was and just dwindled sad for them because and you feel great.” ment is point a source of immense Firstit’s Nations premierdown with really “Our residents haveI small government.” Canadian history.” racism in the health care, for university and realized, do. My mom’s an elder and 27,’ and they went ‘What?’” to such a small population think the people of ChurchNow she’s got pride for Indigenous comthe election victory. chosen you to represent Drivingthat up from WinniBoth Norquay and Louis policing, and correctional ‘Holy, I’m not bad at this, she’s an artist, she’s got so now,” deMeulles says. one book under her belt, Looking back, some of ill really want to thrive. munities across the prov“Thompson, like all their interests and we know peg, the mayor suggested, Riel would be very proudbeto those systems, and creating chan- municipalities, right?’ I certainly developed wonderful stories experiences are things Though she’s notworks there They’ve their worlds saysway she may ince, representing a signifi- many that you built will do your best deMeulles is an excellent to gettrya see Kinew become elected, ges that improve the lives of a lot of skill in university cause she always tells her she might not do again. any longer, her parents and there. How would we feel to produce another. cant moment in Manitoba’s closely with the provincial to live up to their expecta- little taste of what it’s like to and an at Indigenous person and came history,” out of there Parks Canada in its“Icitizens. did some pretty bizarre her sister andasother family if someone to you and live “I in have another and book in political thewith re- stories government it provides tions,” saidcame Smook, noting Thompson why leading theand province, Char- stuff Forlike toofuel long, First a verysaid. strong my Churchill I’ve always hauls intoNathe members ‘I’m sorry, you have to me,” she would says. “It’s darker still are.and infra- said, lease “In skill this in pivotservices, facilities that she was encouraged residents loveato have trand said,her, adding he hopes tions in southern Manitoba writing dencenot in hounded ‘Please, just high Arctic at -35,” said structure “My cousin owns and the leave your home community more about personal time, and we confi celebrate to its citizens that the next premier said story, more health care services Kinew will find inspiration have been neglected and my writing. I write very put it on tape, I will write it deMeulles. “It didn’t dawn hardware store there,” she and we’re going to displace al growth and struggles. only the accomplishments I know that the strong rela- during a post-election inter- closer to home, particularly from both historic figures. ignored byafter. the That province, clear and that’s it. It’s you because your story on me until was a says. and all Maybe next fimonths. ve years of Premier Kinew butthere. also for tionship our city has with you viewsomewhere that the else provincial during in thethe winter

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

Incoming government, first First Nations premier congratulated on historic election

Some people say it’s kind of blunt or direct. I don’t tend

is going to be lost,’ and she’s never done it and I thought,

very dangerous thing to do. Being on a plane full of fuel

Because of that, deMeulles finds it hard to

your loved ones and your history is gone?’”

it’s something I’ll focus on doing.”


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October 13 2023 by Thompson Citizen - Issuu