October 7 2022

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak

THE JOURNEY TOWARDS RECONCILIATION

Highlight Wrap Up

Keewatinowi Okimakanak and the City of Thompson with some businesses have actively participated in the evolution of the reconciliation journey relationship between Indigenous people in Thompson.

We at MKO wanted to highlight the journey towards reconciliation and share it with the Citizens of Thompson and the surrounding northern First Nations. During this journey we have all learned a great deal together, from the relationships we have built and the conversations we have had.

are grateful to those that have been generous with their time and open with their perspectives on indigenous issues with respect and acknowledgment on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, it is with this understanding that together the importance of reconciliation needs to continue to build a strong future with Indigenous peoples.

National

local

extended

hand

in the journey

Thompson

businesses, organizations,

with the knowledge that

reconciliation, and we at MKO wanted to

all the work being done towards change. Ekosi, Masi Cho, Meegwetch, Thank you to the City of Thompson and to Mayor Smook who is a strong ally and supporter.

THE JOURNEY TOWARDS

Our job is to report the truth. Democracy depends on it.

BY GORDON CAMERON

Maybe I’m a bit of a throwback, but when it comes to debating the issues of the day, my style leans more towards per suasion rather than brute force. I like to build my case point-by-point, parry the objections where I can, and when I can’t, I like to take them away and have a think about them. While I may have gone into the discussion with my mind made up, facts, evidence and arguments may cause me to change my mind.

And that’s a good thing.

Too often, debates move from what should be a free exchange of ideas into a no-holds-barred, zero-sumgame clash for the ages. No quarter is asked and certain ly no quarter is given. Two ideas enter, but only one can leave. Win or lose. Kill or be killed.

And that’s a very bad thing.

It’s bad because with that winning-is-everything mentality, the lines be

tween truth and “truth” get blurred. Inconvenient facts get ignored, projections are presented as certainties and counter arguments are dis missed with only the flim siest of pretexts. Not only that, the tone can range from haughty and superior to ridi cule and outright bullying.

And that’s no way to come to a decision in a functioning democracy. It’s supposed to be the rule of the people, not the rule of the loudest.

That’s why newspaper

journalism is so import ant. At our best, we look at every issue the same. We gather all available facts, we talk to experts and sup porters from both sides, we do our research and then present what we find to our readers so they can make up their own minds. We have no direct interest in which side is right and which side is wrong. We lose nothing by pointing out the flaws in both arguments. Our job isn’t to advocate, it’s to inform.

As valuable as this is to the community, it doesn’t come without a cost. If you treat any challenge to your beliefs as heresy, you come out guns blazing, often at tacking not what was re ported, but the fact that it was reported. If I’m wrong about something, I’ll correct it, but if I’m accused of be ing pro- or anti- something just because I contradicted a “fact,” that says a lot more about the person complain ing than it does about the quality of my journalism.

Searchers find body in Burntwood River

Truth is neutral. Truth doesn’t care if it agrees with your beliefs and desires. Re porting the truth helps the community discuss and de bate the important issues of the day fully and with clear eyes.

The ultimate decision on these questions is up to you, but it’s our duty to give you all the information you need to decide for yourself.

— Gordon Cameron is the group managing editor for Metroland’s Hamilton Com munity News, the Sachem and the Glanbrook Gazette. This column was written as a part of a series for Na tional Newspaper Week on the topic of Champions Of The Truth: The Real Superheroes.

NOTICE

People from God’s Lake Narrows who have been searching for a missing person from the community found a man’s body in the Burntwood River Sept. 28, police say.

Thompson RCMP re ceived a report of human re mains being found just west of the Miles Hart Bridge around 1 p.m. that day.

In an Oct. 4 update, RCMP said the remains had

been identified as those of Steven Linklater, 62, whom police had been investigat ing as a missing person since Sept. 13. Linklater’s death is not the result of a crime, police say.

School division fined after worker cuts self with saw

Frontier School Division has been fined $30,000 after a worker in Moose Lake cut themselves with a table saw.

The incident occurred Dec. 12, 2019. The worker was pushing wood through the unguarded table saw when their left hand came

in contact with the rotating blade, resulting in severe lacerations.

The incident was in vestigated by Workplace Safety and Health officials and charges laid under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

Frontier pleaded guilty in July to failing to ensure that a machine is equipped with appropriate safeguards to prevent a worker from coming into contact with the points of the machine at which material is cut.

AUCTIONS

Gordon Cameron

Thompson Citizen file photo

The Miles Hart Bridge over the Burntwood River on the north side of Thompson in a file photo from June. RCMP say searchers looking for a missing person found a man’s body in the river to the west of the bridge on Sept. 28. The remains were identified as those of Steven Linklater, 62, a Thompson resident who had been missing since Sept. 13.

NRHA commits to ending Indigenous-specific racism in healthcare

BY IAN GRAHAM

EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

A declaration to end In digenous-specific racism in the Northern Manitoba healthcare system was signed Sept. 26 by the three parties that developed it and future work will include monitoring how well the system achieves the goals within it.

A joint undertaking by the Northern Regional Health Authority, which ad ministers health care in the province’s north, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents two doz en Northern First Nations, and Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin, a First Na tions health agency estab lished by MKO, the declara tion was described as a first step toward ensuring that Indigenous patients receive the same level of care and respect from healthcare pro viders as non-Indigenous patients.

Acknowledging that an ti-Indigenous racism has existed and continues to exist within the NRHA’s facilities and programs, the health region’s CEO Helga Bryant apologized on be half of the regional health authority’s staff.

“We are truly sorry for the pain we have caused,” she said. “We collectively hope that healing can begin as we work in partnership to eliminate all forms of Indigenous-specific racism through the Northern Health Region. We know that we all have much to learn and, in many cases, to unlearn.”

Bernice Thorassie, an MKO employee who works

with First Nations people to help them navigate the healthcare system, says she had already received 1,400 calls by June of this year from people concerned about their healthcare inter actions, noting that health care providers who are treating Indigenous patients differently than others may not understand how their actions are interpreted.

“Racism can be difficult to identify for people who are not used to experiencing that type of behaviour from service providers,” she said.

The ramifications of not taking Indigenous patients’ health concerns seriously or recommending appropri ate treatment can be dire, Thorassie said.

“I believe that racism has resulted in many In digenous people in North ern Manitoba having their feet or legs unnecessarily amputated.”

Ensuring that the declara tion does more than serve as a symbol will require better tracking of health outcomes for Indigenous people and the ability to determine if they are offered the same treatment options as non-In digenous patients, said Dr. Barry Lavallee of KIM.

“You need identifiers and data. That’s going to be one of the big functions that we are going to change. The experiences of people coming into the healthcare system are what needs to be monitored.”

A biannual reporting system will be developed to measure how well the NRHA is living up to its commitments under the declaration.

Creating a healthcare system in which Indigen ous people feel adequately treated and respected takes more than just surface change, said MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee.

“It requires work that extends beyond just cul tural sensitivity training,” he said. “It needs a multi-

level approach to address systemic organizational and interpersonal interven tions. It requires long-term, sustainable and impactful changes. “

Making those changes, which are long overdue, won’t be easy or com fortable, but the effort is necessary.

“We will not stop until we have eliminated the profound harms of racism,” said the grand chief.

Manitoba Health Minis ter Audrey Gordon was in

Thompson to witness the signing of the declaration and says the process that went into developing it and the systems that will be implemented to measure progress can be a guide to the rest of the health regions and the provincial health care system as a whole.

“I believe there will be important learnings that we can take from here in the north to improve care for Indigenous Peoples, not just here in the north but across the province,” she said.

Indigenous pilot training program celebrates first 11 graduates

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BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

Less than six months af ter it was first announced this spring, a program to train Indigenous pilots from Northern Manitoba close to home celebrated its first 11 graduates on Sept. 26.

Air and Perimeter Aviation among its airline business es.”What I’ve learned about these members of this pro gram is that they are ten acious, they are smart, they are passionate and they’re ready to take on the skies and the aviation industry in a big way.”

them. Mason said that they were mimicking his path in more ways than one, as they would inspire others to fol low their aviation dreams as he had inspired them.

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Days before Canada’s second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Atik Mason Indigenous Pilot Pathway program pre sented plaques, wings and epaulettes to its first cohort of northern flight school students, all of whom com pleted their first solo flights in the skies above Thomp son since classes began in June.

“They took an airplane up in the sky on their own,” said Robin Jacuzzi, direc tor of aviation program for Exchange Income Corpor ation, which counts Calm

Trained by instructors from MFC Training in New Brunswick, the first Path way program class included students from Cross Lake, St. Theresa Point, Moose Lake. Wasagamack and Opaskwayak Cree Nation, among others.

Their achievements were lauded by the program’s namesake, himself a pilot from St. Theresa Point who got his licence at age 35 and became the first-ever Indigenous pilot from one of the First Nations Per imeter serves to work for

“They are doing it as I have done it before,” he said, “and as others will do when they come and follow in their footsteps.”

Bringing flight instruc tion to Northern Manitoba removed barriers such as cost and isolation that might otherwise have prevented the 11 graduates from achieving their dreams of learning to fly, said MKO Grand Chief Garrison Set tee, who counted one of his own relatives among the first group to complete the program.

EIC says it will continue to work with each of the 11 students to help them fur ther their aviation careers.

Thompson Citizen photo by Ian Graham Atik Mason Indigenous Pilot Pathway program students pose with their flight instructors and the program’s namesake, a Perimeter Aviation pilot from St. Theresa Point, during a Sept. 26 graduation ceremony at the Thompson airport.

Thompson Citizen photos by Ian Graham Signatories and witnesses of the declaration to end Indigenous-specific racism in Northern Manitoba’s healthcare system pose with signed copies of the declaration.

Norway House traffic stop leads to drug bust

Cocaine and gun recovered during Norway House search

Two 19-year-olds are facing drug traf ficking charges after police found cocaine in a vehicle pulled over due to suspicion of impaired driving in Norway House Oct. 2.

Norway House RCMP received a com plaint about an impaired driver in Kino sao Sipi Cree Nation at 4 a.m. Sunday morning and located the suspect vehicle on Highway 373.

Investigation following the traffic stop led to the male driver and female passen ger being arrested and police searching the vehicle. In it, they found 42 grams of

for

RCMP arrested a 52-year-old man after a pair of assaults, including one in which the victim was stabbed, in God’s Lake Nar rows Sept. 24.

God’s Lake Narrows RCMP responded to a re port of an assault at a home in the community just after 11 a.m. Sept. 24 and found a 29-year-old man with injuries, who was taken to the nursing station for treatment.

While they were investi gating that assault, police were informed around 1:45 p.m. that another 29-yearold man had been taken to the nursing station for

individually wrapped crack cocaine, 57 grams of powder cocaine, cash, a knife and drug-related paraphernalia. The value of the drugs in the community is esti mated to be around $17,000.

The vehicle’s occupants, both from Winnipeg, face charges of cocaine pos session, cocaine possession for the pur pose of trafficking, possession of prop erty obtained by crime and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. They are scheduled to appear in court in Norway House on Dec. 1.

A Sept. 28 search of a Norway House residence resulted in RCMP seizing 380 grams of cocaine and a loaded handgun. Three people were arrested as a result.

A Sept. 28 search of a residence in Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation resulted in the seizure of a loaded handgun and nearly $40,000 worth of drugs, Norway House RCMP say.

Police executed a search warrant around 11 p.m. last Wednesday and found 80 grams of individually wrapped crack cocaine, 300 grams of powder cocaine and cash, as well as the gun. The estimated street value of the cocaine is about $38,000.

RCMP arrested three men from Winnipeg, aged 18, 21 and 22, for possessing cocaine, possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and firearms charges. They were re leased on a promise to appear in court at a future date so their names were not released.

Police continue to investigate and anticipate that they will make more arrests.

Helping Families Make Ends Meet

treatment of stab wounds. He was then transported to hospital in Winnipeg in unstable condition.

After RCMP Major Crime Services and Foren sic Identification Services arrived in God’s Lake Nar rows to assist the investiga tion, police determined that the 52-year-old was respon sible for both assaults. He was arrested on two counts of aggravated assault and released pending a future court date.

The name of the alleged perpetrator was not released by police because the char ges have not yet been sworn before a court of law.

Manitoba’s Affordability Package

To help ease the burden of rising costs and high inflation, the Manitoba government is providing much needed support to help Manitobans make ends meet.

This new Affordability package will help families with children, seniors living on a fixed income and vulnerable Manitobans. The Manitoba government is standing up for families that need it most.

For more information, visit manitoba.ca/familyaffordability

RCMP photo

RCMP photo

Two people were arrested in Norway House Oct. 2 when police found nearly 100 grams of cocaine in a vehicle after making a traffic stop.

Navratri celebrated in Thompson

Members of Thompson’s Indian community celebrated Navratri, a 10-day, nine-night autumn festival that began Sept 26 this year, with two days of gatherings culminating in a final night of dining, dancing and candlelight prayers at the Thompson Regional Community Centre on Oct. 2.

Navratri, a Sanskrit word meaning nine nights, is a festival that signifies a battle and victory of good over evil. Thompson’s celebrations included free food and refreshments for 300 to 400 people, including non-Indian participants, who danced in a gym full of vibrant colours, enthusiasm and excitement.

Adam

March 25, 1938 – Oct 7, 2021

Our lives go on without you, but nothing is the same.

We have to hide our heartache, when someone speaks your name.

Sad are the hearts that love you, silent are the tears that fall. Living here without you, is the hardest part of all. You did so many things for us. Your heart was kind and true. And when we needed someone, we could always count on you.

The special years will not return, when we are all together. But with the love in our hearts, you walk with us forever.

We miss you, we love you, and this world is not the same without you.

Forever in our hearts, always on our minds.

Strength in Community Workshops

you

Selkirk Avenue crosswalk painted orange for Truth and Reconciliation Day

BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

A First Nations organiza tion and the City of Thomp son teamed up to transform an ordinary crosswalk into a visual reminder of ongoing reconciliation efforts in time for Orange Shirt Day.

The collaborative effort between Manitoba Keewat inowi Okimakanak, which represents two dozen North ern Manitoba First Nations, and the city came together in a day after many prior discussions, says Shyanna Lynxleg of MKO.

“We’ve been meeting with Mayor [Colleen] Smook and Anthony McIn nis, the city manager, for quite a while discussing this and our seven banners that we are going to erect along the road,” she said.

Traffic was diverted through the Thompson Plaza parking lot on Sept. 29 while the Selkirk Avenue crosswalk, which is just a few feet from MKO’s of fices, was painted orange with the slogan Every Child Matters in white.

“We got everything together, the city came out, the city councillors, they were painting, the may or was painting, Anthony McInnis,” said Lynxleg.

“It’s a beautiful visual and it’s a beautiful honour to the

children that were in resi dential schools, that are still buried there.”

The crosswalk was bless ed by elder Jack Robinson on the morning of Sept. 30, Canada’s second Na tional Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

A couple of interactions while the crosswalk was being painted reminded Lynxleg that old attitudes die hard. One older gentle man walking by said that Indigenous people are hypo crites for claiming every child matters but failing to take care of their own chil dren. A group of younger men in a truck said they were going to spit on the crosswalk every time they

drove past it but Lynxleg said she and others who were there at the time sim ply wished the critics a good day.

“We don’t combat hate with hate,” she said. “We realize that we still have a lot of work to do with in Thompson. Change will take time. We may change some people’s minds, but we may not. All we can do is just work towards that.”

Encouragingly, the vast majority of passers-by ap preciated the message.

“They would honk their horns or gives us the thumbs-up or yell out the window, ‘Good job,’ and, ‘It’s beautiful,’” Lynxleg said. “We’re quite happy.”

Thompson Citizen photos by Ian Graham Coun. Les Ellsworth, Mayor Colleen Smook, Coun. Kathy Valentino and Keewatin Tribal Council Grand Chief Walter Wastesicoot pose at the Every Child Matters crosswalk on Selkirk Avenue on Sept. 30.

A crosswalk on Selkirk Avenue in Thompson was painted orange with the slogan Every Child Matters in white in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

Elder Jack Robinson blesses the Every Child Matters crosswalk on Selkirk Avenue on the morning of Sept. 30.

Brenda Wood, left, and Shyanna Lynxleg, right, of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, pose with Keewatin Tribal Council Grand Chief Walter Wastesicoot at the Every Child Matters crosswalk on Selkirk Avenue on Sept. 30.

Desperate times: Northern students feeling pinch as Frontier School Division short 25 teachers

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE RE PORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

A school division that stretches across Northern Manitoba and includes several remote and isolated communities is dealing with a teacher shortage described as “desperate.”

“The staffing shortage that we are encountering is more significant than we have ever had,” Frontier School Division super intendent Reg Klassen said Oct. 4. “We typically start a school year one or two, or maybe as high as four of those positions unfilled and find a way to make it work.

“But this year we are en tering the school year with well over 20 staff teaching positions unfilled, so that is very, very significant.”

A total of 42 schools make up the division, with many of those schools in Northern Manitoba and in remote and isolated com munities, and Klassen said he estimates that as many as 80 per cent of FSD students

TO: THOMAS RAB

A Notice of

MORTGAGES

identify as Indigenous.

At last count, Klassen said there were 25 unfilled teaching positions in the

division which has left some students without a permanent teacher to start the school year, and not knowing when and if they will even get a permanent teacher at all this year.

“Really what we are do

ing is just scrambling at the moment, because if you’ve got, for example, a Grade 3 class with no teacher, then we are working with either an educational assistant in the class, or a temporary teacher who doesn’t have a teaching degree, or a teach er that is working with the EAs and managing multiple classrooms.

“It’s highly, highly stress ful on the system.”

He said he is already watching that stress play out in some schools as staff are stretched thin, and the division will also have to analyze how the school year proceeds in terms of student success.

“We’re seeing that stress play out for sure, and we are going to have to measure as we go along how it plays out with some students not having a trained teacher in the classroom,” Klassen said.

And with Manitoba schools being closed on and off for the last twoand-a half-years due to the pandemic, Klassen said this could be yet another blow to students just trying to get a proper education in North

ern Manitoba.

“Many students have not been in class in the last two years anywhere near where they should have been,” he said. “And many northern and remote Indigenous communities have been closed down to fight COVID outbreaks in communities.

“So to have the students back now and not have a full complement of teachers is a very serious issue.”

FSD, according to Klas sen, is now using an “all hands on deck” approach to recruit more teachers, but he said he knows it can be difficult to convince some to come to Northern Manitoba.

“We’ve hired a full-time recruitment officer, we are spending money on adver tising, and we are looking at ways to offer a $5,000 sign ing bonus to some who will take a position,” he said.

“When it comes to re cruitment it is all hands on deck, because we are that desperate.”

He also hopes that cur rent regulations in Manitoba could be looked at, because some who have the quali fications to teach in other

provinces don’t have what is required to teach in Mani toba, giving them even few er reasons to make a move to Northern Manitoba, and meaning they would be paid less if they took a teaching job anywhere in this province.

“So why would someone come here from another province?” Klassen asked.

During a Sept. 28 press conference, Education Min ister Wayne Ewasko brief ly touched on the teaching staff shortages in Northern Manitoba.

Ewasko did admit that differences in teaching degree requirements are likely keeping some from moving to this province to teach, and said that the province would see what can be done.

“We're taking a look at that as far as the different certification reviews of what's being accepted and what's not,” Ewasko said.

— Dave Baxter is a Lo cal Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Lo cal Journalism Initiative is funded by the government of Canada.

Shot moose left to decay near Wabowden, conservation officers say

Manitoba conservation officers are looking for tips about the wasteful killing of a moose near Wabowden.

N O T I C E

Power of

AT THOMPSON AND BEING

LOT 23 BLOCK 30 PLAN 743 PLTO (N DIV) IN 78-3 WPM EXC ALL MINES, MINERALS AND OTHER RESERVATIONS AS CONTAINED IN THE CROWN LANDS ACT

The District Registrar has been informed that it has been impossible to make personal service of the NEPS upon you and has issued an Order permitting substitutional service.

Therefore take notice that unless default under the mortgage is remedied within one calendar month of this publication, the mortgagee will apply for an order permitting the sale of the land.

Deputy District Registrar

This Notice is published for the purpose of effecting substitutional service thereof upon THOMAS RAB, as set out in the Notice pursuant to Order of the District Registrar dated September 28, 2022.

HAVE

Eligibility

The carcass was discov ered along Ferguson Cree northwest of Wabowden on Sept. 25 and a social media post about the illegal hunting and wastage said it had probably been dead for about a week at that point, based on the level of decay.

The dead moose was within 10 yards of the creek shore and there were no signs of any attempt having been made to salvage any of the meat.

Anyone with information about this killing can call the Thompson district office at 1-204-677-6640 or the Turn in Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-782-0076.

Costs rise as provincial municipal funding remains stagnant, cities gripe

The mayors of Mani toba’s 10 cities discussed municipal operating fund ing and rising costs for everything from fuel to infrastructure to RCMP policing services during a meeting in Morden.

The Association of Mani toba Municipalities cities caucus, which includes Winnipeg, Thompson, host Morden and seven other cit ies in the province — Bran don, Dauphin, Flin Flon, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Steinbach and Winkler — says its members are feeling the strain of higher costs while still receiving the

same operations funding from the province that they have since 2016.

“Municipal budgets are under tremendous strain given unprecedented in flation and soaring fuel costs,” said caucus chair Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook in a Sept. 29 AMM press release. “We are also still feeling the impacts of the pandemic. As munici palities are not allowed to run deficits, the seven-year municipal operating fund ing freeze must be lifted.”

Another bone of con tention for the cities is the fact that Investing in Can

ada Infrastructure Program funding took so long to ma terialize that the costs that were current at the time applications were submit ted three years ago are now significantly higher.

“Project costs have in creased 30 to 40 to 50 per cent,” said Morden Mayor Brandon Burley. “These increases should be fully absorbed by other orders of government as munici palities did their due dili gence and met program deadlines.”

Several of the cities whose policing services are contracted out to the

RCMP are concerned about increased costs resulting from unionization and the subsequent collective bargaining agreement for RCMP members, which includes retroactive pay increases.

“These costs were nego tiated without municipal ities being at the table,” said AMM vice-president Chris Ewen. “The AMM along with municipal partners across Canada have called on the federal government to absorb these retractive costs and to ensure muni cipalities are properly con sulted moving forward.”

Thompson Citizen photo courtesy of Frontier School Division Frontier School Division superintendent Reg Klassen

Thompson Citizen photo courtesy of Manitoba Conservation Officers Association Manitoba conservation officers discovered a moose carcass northwest of Wabowden on Sept. 25 and detected no signs that whoever killed it had attempted to harvest any of the meat.

Donations, donations, donations

Three local organizations got a big boost in the form of cash and grocery donations from the Thompson Safeway store last week.

The two days of giveaways began Sept. 29 when the store presented $1,000 in gift cards as well as some grocery items to BGC Thompson’s after-school program. The gen

erosity continued on Orange Shirt Day Sept. 30, when the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre received $2,000 worth of gift cards. A fundraising campaign at the store brought in $1,971.42 for the Wapanohk Community School breakfast program, a donation that was also topped up by a $250 contribution from Sobeys, Safeway’s parent company.

Thompson Citizen photos by Ian Graham Thompson’s Safeway store donated more than $5,000 to BGC Thompson, the Ma-Mow-WeTak Friendship Centre and Wapanohk Community School’s breakfast program Sept. 29-30.

High rates of violence against Indigenous women an ongoing tragedy

BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

A crowd marched through Thompson Oct. 4 to bring attention to the issue of missing and murdered In digenous women and girls.

The annual event, held on the provincial day of awareness and national day of action on MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA+, started at Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak’s office and ended at MacLean Park by Thompson City Hall, where participants listened to speeches and enjoyed free entertainment and a meal of stew and bannock.

“We must continue talk ing about the issue of MMI WG and being part of the solution to end all forms of gender-based violence,” said MKO MMIWG liaison unit manager Heidi Spen ce. “We want to be able to speak up for those who no longer have a voice and continuing to advocate for change.”

Recognized in Manitoba as MMIWG Awareness Day since 2017, Oct. 4 is a day to remember those who were killed or went missing and to honour the healing journeys of gender-based violence survivors and their families, said a joint state ment from Premier Heather Stefanson and Indigenous Reconciliation and North ern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere.

“Our government remains

committed to the important work of implementing the Calls for Justice of the Na tional Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and we continue to consult and work collaboratively with all levels of government to implement priorities in the national action plan,” they said.

The Manitoba legislature was lit with a symbolic red dress Oct. 4 as a visual re minder of the tragic issues surrounding MMIWG.

MKO Grand Chief Gar rison Settee, whose plans to take part in the Thomp son event were thwarted by flight delays in Winnipeg, said in a press release that violence against Indigen ous women is an ongoing tragedy.

“Our women are sacred and should be treated with respect and honour. MKO will continue to work to raise awareness of the issue of missing and murdered In digenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.”

Billie Joe Thompson of StreetReach North, a social service organiza tion that works to prevent youth from running away and from falling victim to sexual exploitation, said she feels personally outraged by daily acts of violence against women, Indigen ous women and girls, and gender-diverse people.

“As some who works

with sexually exploited youth, I can say that we witness daily the impacts this violence has on indi viduals, families and the community as a whole,” she said. “It’s our hope that continuing to work together building capacity amongst individuals and through our partnerships with commun ity and government, we can end sexual exploitation and violence in our community and assist with healing as we move forward together.”

The reasons Indigenous women are vulnerable to going missing or being murdered are multi-faceted, longtime MMIWG advo cate Hilda Anderson-Pyrz said at a Keewatin Tribal

Council event in Thomp son on the National Day for Truth and Reconcilia tion Sept. 30, ranging from the imposition of Euro pean views on Indigenous Peoples to the way Indigen ous women who are vic tims of crime or subjects of police investigation are portrayed in the media, such as in cases where the photos provided by police departments appealing for information about missing women are their mug shots.

“It just perpetuates fur ther violence and makes it seem like we deserve to go missing and that we were burdens to society and nobody cared if we were missing,” she said.

Thompson Citizen photo by Ian Graham

A walk to MacLean Park in Thompson was held to mark Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Aware ness Day Oct. 4.

Cold enough for you? City of Thompson hopes it is and plans to exploit it

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE RE PORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

An organization has been formed in Northern Mani toba’s largest city that has its sights set on making Thompson the premier lo cation in the world for cold weather testing.

“With an average of 240 days a year of sub-zero temperatures, and up to six months of snow cover, Thompson has the poten tial to be the best outdoor cold weather test site not only in North America, but worldwide,” Thompson

NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION 2022 OF THE SAYISI DENE FIRST NATION FOR ONE (1) CHIEF & THREE (3) COUNCILLOR POSITIONS

Chamber of Commerce president Dennis Green said in a media release announ cing the launch of SubZero North, a not-for-profit or ganization, which will oper ate under the umbrella of the Thompson Community Development Corporation.

According to information on SubZero North’s web site, Thompson’s average temperature in December, January and February is a frigid -28.2 C, and snow typically covers the ground in Thompson for at least six months of the year, with the community averaging 186 centimetres of snow every year.

“We like to say, if it works in Thompson, it will

work anywhere,” TCDC executive director Connie Krahenbil said.

And according to the or ganization, Thompson — a city located more than 750 kilometres north of Winni peg — was once considered a destination for commer cial cold weather testing, as in the late 1980s companies including Ford and Chrysler as well as snowmobile and jet engine manufacturers came to Thompson to test their products in “extreme winter conditions.”

SubZero North will focus on the goal of “positioning Thompson into the testing ecosystem, by establishing partnerships with provin cial, national and inter

FORM 20 Subsection [48(2)]

NOTICE OF ELECTION

THE TOWN OF LYNN LAKE

Notice is hereby given that a vote of The Town of Lynn Lake will be taken to elect Mayor from the following duly nominated candidates:

For the office of Mayor/Reeve:

1. David Campbell

2. Audie Dulewich

• Any eligible voter can either deliver or mail-in, fax, scan the prescribed nomination forms and a completed voter declaration form to the Electoral Officer before the close of the nomination meeting OR you may nominate candidates orally at the nomination meeting.

• Mailed nominations not received by the Electoral Officer before the time set for nomination meeting are void.

• A person may nominate and second a nomination if the person is a registered citizen of SD, is 18 years of age as of November 8, 2022, a voter may nominate or second only one (1) candidate for Chief and one (1) candidate for Council.

• Chief nominations will be recorded first for 1 hour, followed by Council nominations for at least 2 hours. The Electoral Officer shall close the nominations after the 3rd call for nominations.

Candidate Eligibility:

•

accordance with the SD Election Act, is a registered citizen of the SD, 18 years of age as of November 8, 2022, has never been convicted of an indictable offense, has never been suspected of mismanagement while being a member of Council or employee of the nation or any of its agencies, corporation, departments or entity.

• A member of Council may serve for only 2 terms of office, after which he or she may not run for or be reelected to office.

• A nominee must accept a nomination in writing to the Electoral Officer within 48hrs after the nomination.

• A candidate who does not accept a nomination in accordance with the 48hr clause of the SD act shall be deemed to have declined the nomination.

Mail in Ballots: Any

before the closing of the polls on Election day will not be counted.

For

Cell/Txt:

Email

Or

Kelly-Ann

VOTING PLACES

Voting places will be open for voting on Wednesday the 26th day of October 2022 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at: The Jim Mclellan Arena–605 Prospector Street.

IDENTIFICATION MAY BE REQUIRED BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO VOTE. A person may be required to produce one piece of government issued photo identification (for example–driver’s license or passport) or at least two other documents that provide proof of identity.

ADVANCE VOTING

For the purpose of accommodating persons who are qualified to vote, but who have reason to believe that they will be absent or otherwise unable to attend their proper voting place on election day, an advance voting opportunity will be located at The Town Office 503 Sherritt Avenue and will be open October 19th, 2022 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

APPLICATION TO VOTE BY SEALED ENVELOPE

A voter who is unable to go in person to the voting place or vote in advance, may apply in person, in writing, or by email to the senior election official at P.O Box 100, Lynn Lake, MB. R0B 0W0 or by email at clerk@lynnlake.ca.

If applying in person*, a voter may apply between September 23, 2022 and October 25, 2022 at 503 Sherritt Avenue from 8:30am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm and 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

*A voter applying in person may pick up a sealed envelope ballot package at the time of application.

If applying by mail or email**, a voter may apply between September 23 and October 7th, 2022.

** A voter applying by mail or email will receive a sealed envelope ballot package by regular post, or by making alternative arrangements with the senior election official.

Town of Lynn Lake

national organizations and businesses.”

The organization will also look to establish a winter weather campus in Thomp son for testing and research.

“Focusing on its re al-world conditions such as extreme cold weather, isolated community, and the beautiful boreal for est, SubZero North’s goal is to reinvigorate the cold weather testing industry, and attract industry leaders manufacturing electric vehi cles, autonomous transpor tation, robotics and sensors for decades to come,” SubZ ero North said in its release.

The organization will look to also boost the entire cold weather testing indus try in Manitoba by hosting a conference next month that will be held in both Thomp son and Winnipeg.

The first Cold Weather Testing Conference, which will be hosted in partner ship with Transport Canada and the National Research Council’s Community of Practice, will take place over three days in Thomp son and Winnipeg Nov. 15-17.

The event will feature keynote speaker Dr. Jean Andrey, a professor at the University of Waterloo who focuses on “weather-trans portation interactions” in cluding road safety, winter maintenance practices, and the implications of climate change on transportation.

Also speaking at the con ference will be Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, a University of Manitoba professor com monly referred to as “Pro fessor Popsicle” who has made a name for himself with cold weather experi ments that often involve submerging himself in fri gid water for long periods of time.

— Dave Baxter is a Lo cal Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Lo cal Journalism Initiative is funded by the government of Canada.

UCN is building better futures for a stronger North. UCN provides learning opportunities to northern communities and its people offering more than forty academic degree, diploma, and certificate programs.

We commit to offering a safe, welcoming and inclusive work environment where innovation and creativity is welcomed.

We offer a generous Total Compensation Package with health benefits, great pension plan along with the opportunity for personal and professional growth.

NURSING INSTRUCTOR

Faculty of Health - Bachelor of Nursing Full Time, Regular Position Thompson, Manitoba

Competition No: 22-113

Closing Date: November 25, 2022

Please visit our website for more detailed information about UCN and this employment opportunity. At http://www.ucn.ca, select “UCN Careers”, and select from the list of positions to view. Thank you for your interest in UCN.

HERE YOU CAN UCN.CA

University College of the North

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA

UNIT: TADOULE LAKE (SAYISI DENE) SUB-OFFICE

LOCATION: TADOULE LAKE (SAYISI DENE) OR THOMPSON, MB

Position: Child & Family Services Worker (Possible Regional)

One (1) Full-Time Permanent Position ***Preference to Local Applicants***

Reporting to a Regional Unit Supervisor, the Child & Family Services Worker (CFS) is responsible to implement the policies, procedures and specific direction of Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba when working with families and children in child protection. Duties include managing a case load, conducting interviews and assessments, compiling case particulars for Court, investigating/follow up on allegations of child protection issues, maintaining regular visits, providing accurate and timely documentation, developing long/ short term case plans, developing/facilitating workshops, community education and networking with collateral resources/services.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work Degree (BSW) with experience in child welfare preferred, or a combination of experience and training

• Commitment to community-based service delivery

• Working knowledge of CFS legislation, standards and issues

• Knowledge of Child & Family Services Information System (CFSIS) an asset

• Assessment, interviewing, and counselling skills

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills

• A strong work ethic and reliable

• Proven ability to prioritize workloads and meet deadlines

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently, as well as part of a child protection unit team

• Sensitivity to,

Working Conditions:

Closing Date: Thursday, October 13,

Awasis Agency

and

OFFICE FURNITURE INSTALLER/DELIVERY PERSON

Position: Our Company is currently looking for an energetic and organized individual to work at our retail store in Thompson. This permanent position will primarily be responsible for customer deliveries, unloading/loading delivery truck and installation of office furniture.

Qualifications: Must have the ability to meet deadlines and be a team player. Lifting/moving light to heavy boxes is required along with a valid driver’s license (class 5).

Actual wage will be dependent on the qualifications and work experience of the successful candidate.

Applicants should submit a resume and references on or before October 14, 2022:

Attn: Human Resources

Wilson’s Business Solutions Box 3005

Dryden, Ontario, P8N 2Z6

Alternatively, fax to (807) 223-3315 or email inquiry@wilson.ca

We thank all candidates for applying, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Final selection may occur prior to application deadline.

Office Supplies • Furniture • Copier and Computer Sales/Service: Dryden • Kenora • Fort Frances • Sioux Lookout Red Lake • Thunder Bay • Thompson • Flin Flon

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA

UNIT/OFFICE: TADOULE LAKE (SAYISI DENE)

LOCATION: TADOULE LAKE, MB

Bob’s Towing Services

With winter fast approaching, Bob's Towing Services is looking for a motivated, team oriented individual to operate a Tilt Deck Tow Truck in Thompson Manitoba and surrounding areas.

Duties include: Local and highway calls, towing, winching, boosting services, lockout services, tire change services.

Qualifications: Class 5 driver’s license (Class 3 with air endorsement preferred but not required). Basic understanding of vehicles. Ability to work independently.

will be provided.

submit resume to

drop off at 73 Hayes Rd.

service

Human Resources Department

Awasis Agency of

701 Thompson Drive, Thompson,

Fax: 204-778-8428

Manitoba

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

Position: Case Aide

One (1) Full Time Permanent position

Summary of Position:

Reporting to the Regional Unit Supervisor the Case Aide is responsible for facilitating case-related activities (on behalf of their unit) when working with families and children in the field of child protection and must follow all guidelines related to clients’ safety and privacy. The duties would include, but not limited to assist with case management administration, provide administrative support to case workers/Unit, including developing strong relationships with clients, acting as a liaison for Agency and clients, preparing reports, check progress and reports about cases, conducting interviews, assisting with compiling case particulars for Court, ensuring accurate and timely documentation, assist with developing long/short term case plans, developing/facilitating workshops, community education and networking with collateral resources/services.

Qualifications:

• Combination of education and experience in related field

• Previous experience in child welfare is preferred

• Knowledge of CFS legislation, Regulations and Provincial Standards

• Knowledge of Child & Family Services information System (CFSIS) would be an asset

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Excellent assessment skills

• Good organizational, time management and prioritizing skills

• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook)

• Must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently and in a team setting

• Sensitivity to and an understanding of First Nations culture and values

• Ability to speak and/or understand the Cree or Dene language would be considered an asset

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced environment

• Confidentiality environment with access to sensitive information

• Overnight and remote travel approximately 5% of the time

• Maintain a satisfactory Prior Contact check, Child Abuse Registry Check, Criminal Record Check and Driver’s Abstract

• Maintain a valid driver’s license and have access to a vehicle

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

Closing Date: Thursday, October 13, 2022

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 2022-080 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 #2022-080

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

SERVICE ADVISOR

Are you looking for a career and not just a job?

We have an opening for a service advisor committed to customer service excellence.

Candidate must be able to build customer relations and listen and understand their problems, concerns and service needed, prepare work orders, be organized, possess the ability to multitask, work unsupervised and work in a team environment.

Previous automotive experience is an asset, extensive training will be offered to the appropriate candidate

We offer competitive wages and benefits package. Resumes only please.

Fax resumes to Kayla at 204-778-6700 or email kayla@thompsonford.ca

KEEWATIN

COUNCIL

JOB VACANCY

FULL TIME BUILDING MAINTENANCE

TERMS OF REFERENCE

This position takes from and reports to the Administrative Officer Manager. The primary role includes performing maintenance in and outside the office building. Providing these services in an effective and efficient manner will ensure the reliability, access and safety of the workplace.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform preventative and pro-active maintenance on buildings and facilities

Conduct routine, non-licensed inspections of facilities including fire equipment

Ensure fire protection equipment is properly maintained and up to date

Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs to buildings and facilities including carpentry and painting

Coordinate and oversee contractors for major maintenance and repairs as required to mechanical systems

Ensure the safety and protection of buildings including ensuring doorways are not blocked and that buildings and facilities are locked when not in use

Help staff with assemble/move furniture.

Take part in the Health and Safety Committee

to read and write maintain daily

management

school and/or Training on Basic plumbing, electric and carpentry

Beardy, Office Manager

Tribal Council Inc.

Nickel Road

No.: 204-677-0256

Lbeardy@ktc.ca

applicants will be required to provide

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 p.m. Thursday, October 13, 2022. We would like to thank all those that apply for the position, but only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.