Nickel Belt News
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“Lucky Ducks” Charity Duck Race Raises Funds for Thompson Community Pool
Book a way to preserve and pass on memories of growing up in Churchill
BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON
THOMPSON CITIZEN STAFF REPORTER
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.
The recent Duck Race, organized by Swim North as a fundraiser for the Thompson Community Pool Project, saw three lucky winners emerge victorious. Laura Buchanan, Diana Colombo, and Alison Slaney were the fortunate individuals to clinch the top spots in the race. The event, which took place on September 15th, witnessed the launch of the ducks into the Burntwood River at 2 PM.
to write things that you have to figure out. It’s pretty clear when I get through.”
ing Wolf Tours, and the Thompson Professional Firefighters Association and their Auxiliary.
DeMeulles said she wrote her book, titled Whispers in the Wind: Stories from the North - Life in Churchill for a couple of reasons.
Todd Harwood, Co-Chair of Swim North, expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event, emphasizing the importance of ongoing support for the Thompson Community Pool Project. With each contribution playing a significant role, the collective effort to fund the new pool in Thompson was underscored as crucial.
‘Oh, I’m just as bad, right?’ I have all these stories and I need to capture them for my grandchildren really because they will be lost if I don’t.”
She also has a reputation as a storyteller herself.
Out of the 300 ducks that were sold at $20 each, duck number 176 claimed the first position, followed by duck 387 in second place, and duck 103 securing third place. The race culminated with duck number 15 bringing up the rear.
The grand prize of $1,500 was up for grabs, making the event an exciting one for all participants. The success of the race was attributed to the combined efforts of various organizations and volunteers, including Manitoba Hydro Burntwood River Boat Crew, City of Thompson, Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba, Howl-
“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
“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,
“Thanks to everyone supporting our continued efforts to fundraise the new pool in Thompson, every little bit helps and we appreciate everyone’s support”
The Duck Race was a fantastic success, as the funds raised will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the Thompson Community Pool Project, bringing the community one step closer to realizing this essential facility. With such overwhelming support and participation, it’s clear that the future of the Thompson Community Pool is bright, and it’s all thanks to the dedication and generosity of everyone involved. Here’s to a bright future for the pool and the community it serves!
“I had such a varied history 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?’” 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
store there,” she
Because of that,
finds it hard to and we’re going to displace you somewhere else and all your loved ones and your history is gone?’”
For all the harsh weather and the dangers of polar bears, deMeulles said if it had been viable she would
“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
Now that she’s got one book under her belt, deMeulles says she may try
“I have another book in me,” she says. “It’s a darker al growth and struggles. Maybe in the next five years it’s something I’ll focus on doing.”
hardware
says.
deMeulles
Nickel Belt News photo by Ian Graham
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba northern director Gisele deMeulles has written a book about her experiences growing up, mostly in Churchill.
Friday, September 20, 2024
Delivering News to the Nickel Belt since 1960
Volume 64 • Issue 35
Participants gather at the dock as volunteers prepare for the launch of the “Lucky Ducks” Charity Duck Race along the Burntwood River.
Photos submitted by Swim North
Volunteers use nets to retrieve the racing ducks from the water as they reach the finish line during the Thompson Community Pool Project fundraiser.
Boats patrol the Burntwood River during the Duck Race, ensuring a smooth and fun event for all participants and spectators alike.
Investigation continues in brutal assault on Westwood Drive
BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON THOMPSON CITIZEN STAFF REPORTER
Midnight on the 25 of August screams were heard on Westwood Drive as a home intruder was reported to the RCMP ending in a horrible assault.
The victim of the assault was the father of his beloved family as he tells the story of what started out a typical night and ended in a shocking outcome.
“That night the kids happened to want to sleep in the living room when I see the backyard light turned on” said the father. Something seemed off, but not too much thought was given as they assumed the sensor could have been triggered by an animal.
“But then I saw a reflection of what looked like a man” he further stated.
“Right away I thought about my kids and I start turning on all the house lights”
As each light flicked on in hopes to deter the danger away, the father came to flip the switch by the door on but before he could get to it, the door swung open bursting the two locked dead bolds locks that ripping out of the wood frame in one single body slam.
The father, having a good strong build on himself dedicated every ounce of strength in resisting the force on the other side of the door. “he was strong! I could not stop the door”.
The attacker’s arm swung around the door and grabbed hold of the father’s hair. The father was whipped and yanked by his latched hair, and then hauled outside to the porch and dragged to the front lawn where the attacker continued to thrash the victim around.
Like a beacon of hope, the victim suddenly looked up to see a police car parked at the end of the street. At the same time, the attacker saw the car too and fled the scene immediately.
“When the attacker saw the cop, he started to run away. While he was going I grabbed his shirt and he slipped out of it”
The police called for backup as a full night search was deployed but resulted unsuccessful in the attacker’s capture.
The family was all escorted to the hospital for a checkup even though the father of the home took the brunt of the abuse and was bruised and concussed from the thrashing.
“I feel pain in my neck everyday since this incident took place. All my body weight he took it from my head and he was shaking me vigorously. He was very strong”
Such an alarming event has caused the family to question what possible intent could be behind the violence seeing though nothing was stolen or came in favor of the attacker.
“I still don’t know his intention. He didn’t ask for money, and I even took the brunt of the abuse. I’m glad I took the beating instead of my family. With the amount of force he gave me, I don’t think the rest of my family could have taken it”
Steady procedures have been since taken for not only the safety of the home but as a reassuring measure to cope the children’s trauma.
The unidentified attacker was described as a fairskinned male of average height and build, with tattoos down his arms and a clean trimmed haircut buzzed on each side and thicker on the top. Police warn to be on the lookout for such an individual and alert the police of anything suspicious.
GOING ROGUE? Springfield councillors meet with public to gather feedback
BY DAVE BAXTER
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN
Two rural councillors are accusing their mayor and the rest of council of not being open and transparent with the public and say they are taking matters into their own hands to engage with the people they were elected to serve.
Last Thursday, more than 150 RM of Springfield residents packed into the Dugald Community Centre to take part in what was billed as a public engagement session hosted by Springfield councillors Mark Miller and Andy Kuczynski.
The session, which allowed residents to speak publicly and ask questions on a number of local issues, was not an official RM event, and was not attended by fellow Springfield councillors Melinda Warren and Glen Fuhl, or by Mayor Patrick Therrien.
According to Miller, he and Kuczynski held the meeting because of their continued frustration with the rest of council over what he says has been a lack of transparency and communication on several issues, and because he says they have asked on many occasions
Move Mobility looks to provide more accessibility through new expansion
BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON THOMPSON CITIZEN STAFF REPORTER
The Manitoba government has announced that it will be providing a substantial grant of $1.3 million to support MoveMobility Inc., a company dedicated to enhancing accessibility and mobility solutions for individuals with disabilities. This significant grant funding is a testament to the government's commitment to fostering innovation and addressing the critical healthcare and transportation needs of underserved communities.
MoveMobility Inc. has been instrumental in addressing the accessibility needs of Thompson, particularly through its support of the Thompson Wellbriety Center. Notably, the company facilitated the investment in a medical assistance van for the homeless in the community.
The innovative designs
and solutions developed by MoveMobility Inc. have played a pivotal role in breaking down barriers to healthcare and transportation for individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges. Through its groundbreaking designs, the company has enabled previously inaccessible healthcare services to become readily available to those who need them most, positively impacting the lives of countless individuals.
In a significant development, MoveMobility Inc. is poised to undergo an expansion with the construction of a state-of-the-art 60,000 sq.-ft. facility at CentrePort. This expansion will not only bolster the company's capacity to manufacture type II ambulances but also signify a substantial growth in its overall operations, underscoring its commitment to advancing healthcare and transportation solutions. As part of its expansion,
MoveMobility Inc. is expected to create 55 highly skilled jobs, supplementing the 55 Manitobans already employed by the company. This move is indicative of the company's dedication to fostering economic growth and providing valuable employment opportunities within the region, further solidifying its position as a key contributor to Manitoba's workforce.
The company's expansion at CentrePort is set to have far-reaching implications, particularly in its ability to cater to the diverse healthcare needs of First Nations communities and underserved populations. Additionally, this expansion will facilitate the manufacturing and distribution of type II ambulances, thereby addressing critical gaps in emergency medical services and bolstering healthcare infrastructure.
Richard Jones, CEO of MoveMobility Inc., expressed profound gratitude to the Manitoba government for its steadfast support, emphasizing how this backing empowers the company to advance its mission of removing barriers to healthcare and transportation. He highlighted the significance of addressing the ambulance shortage with a Manitoba-made solution, underlining the company's commitment to saving lives
for the RM to host official engagement sessions with residents.
“We have asked over and over for these to be done through the RM, and they have been slow to do it and resistant, and they have come up with all sorts of excuses, so Andy and I thought ‘we’ll just collectively coordinate them and do it ourselves,’” he said.
And Miller says attendance at last week’s meeting proves that Springfield residents want to ask more questions and have more input on issues that could affect them, as he says the crowd in the community centre was “standing room only” and most in attendance made comments and asked questions of the two councillors.
“The people were very engaged, and the constant message I heard throughout the meeting is that they do not trust that their mayor is being open and transparent, and they don’t believe that voices are being heard or respected,” he said.
“We wouldn’t have had standing room only if people weren’t concerned about what was going on.”
Springfield resident and business owner Richard Kuffner attended last week’s engagement session and believes the session offered one of the only remaining options to interact with their representatives.
and serving the community more effectively. “Together, we are making a meaningful difference.” He said.
Carly Edmundson, president and CEO of CentrePort Canada Inc., echoed Jones's sentiments, lauding the province for its support of MoveMobility's growth and its plans to construct an innovative new healthcare manufacturing facility. She emphasized the strategic importance of MoveMobility's expansion at CentrePort, emphasizing the company's integral role in the trimodal inland port's operations for many years.
“MoveMobility has been strategically located at CentrePort for many years and it's incredible to see this Manitoba company expanding their operations at the trimodal inland port.”
In conclusion, the expansion at CentrePort represents a pivotal moment for MoveMobility Inc., significantly bolstering its presence in Manitoba and enhancing its capacity to export its products to national and international markets. This transformative expansion underscores the company's commitment to driving meaningful change and innovation in healthcare and transportation, positioning it as a key player in advancing accessibility and mobility solutions.
Also discussed was where councillors stand on the proposed Plan2050, a controversial planning document that would have 18 municipalities in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) take a more “collaborative” approach to municipal decision-making in the region, and would set targets for growth and development that WMR communities would have to meet.
Last week’s meeting was not the first that Miller and Kuczynski have organized, as they also held two similar engagement sessions earlier this year.
Both were also vocal opponents of a proposed silica sand mine that Alberta-based Sio Silica previously wanted to develop in the region, and on several occasions over the last approximately year-anda-half held media conferences independent of the rest of council and the RM to voice their opposition to the project, which has since been killed by the NDP government.
Miller said he and Kuczynski plan to continue hosting engagement sessions in the community until they feel the mayor and the rest of council are doing enough to properly engage with residents.
“Residents I have spoken to are really feeling they are being shut out of the political process by this mayor, and that the leader of this community is not listening to what the people want,” Kuffner said.
“The mayor is supposed to work for the people but more and more, people are wondering who he is working for.”
Miller said a wide range of topics was covered, including the financial impacts that several proposed projects could have, and if they would lead to increased taxation for ratepayers.
“I know some have accused us of going rogue or trying to get attention but that it not why we are doing this,” he said.
“We’re doing this because we both strongly believe that meeting with the public in a community setting on a routine basis is a key responsibility to effectively represent the people we serve.”
Mayor Therrien did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Tuesday.
— 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.
$3,200 donated for students’ educational trip
BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON THOMPSON CITIZEN STAFF REPORTER
On September 11, 2024, the Royal Canadian Legion generously donated $3,200 to RD Parker for their coming educational journey to the United States.
In May 2025, students from R.D. Parker Collegiate are set to embark on a six day trip to Washington, D.C. and New York as part of an EF Tour. This trip promises to be an enriching experience, offering students the opportunity to delve into the shared history of the United States and immerse themselves in the diverse cultures of the world.
Described as a lifechanging program, the tour aims to provide students with a firsthand understanding of history and global travel. Ms.
Jenkins, one of the educators accompanying the students, emphasized the value of such educational trips, stating that they allow students to gain a deeper knowledge and appreciation of history and cultural diversity. The tour’s objectives include promoting an awareness of global citizenship, cultural appreciation, and the significance of historical ties between nations.
The 6-day tour will feature visits to iconic landmarks in Washington, D.C. and New York, including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty. Through these visits, students will gain insight into how these influential cities have contributed to shaping America’s past, present, and future. Notably, the trip holds
significance for Canadian students, as it provides an opportunity to explore historical ties between Canada and the United States. The itinerary includes visits to the Smithsonian Museums, various monuments, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero of 9/11, and other famous spots in New York, culminating in the experience of a Broadway show.
The students and tour leaders extend their gratitude to the Legion Ladies for their large contribution and support, recognizing the invaluable donors that has made this educational journey possible. As the students prepare to embark on this enriching experience, they are poised to gain a deeper understanding of history, culture, and the interconnectedness of nations.
Terry Fox Run fundraiser
BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON
THOMPSON CITIZEN STAFF REPORTER
The Thompson Terry Fox Run Fundraiser has achieved a significant milestone by meeting its donation goal, amassing a grand total of $1,115 from the contributions of 29 donors. Despite the absence of an in-person Terry Fox Run this year, the community rallied together
to support the cause, with neighboring runs being strongly encouraged. Notably, Alex Beaulne undertook a remarkable feat by running the circumference of the town, captivating live audiences as his entire venture was streamed on 102.9 CHTM.
The success of the Thompson Terry Fox Run Fundraiser has made a meaningful
impact. The spirit of Terry Fox’s legacy lives on, inspiring individuals like Alex Beaulne to undertake incredible feats in support of the cause. The overwhelming response and the impressive total raised demonstrate the power of coming together for a common goal, and the Thompson community can take great pride in their collective achievement.
NOTICEOF2025BOARDOFREVISION
PursuanttoSection41,42and43oftheMunicipalAssessmentAct, NOTICEisherebygiventhat:
The2025assessmentrollsfortheCityofThompsonwillbeopenfor inspection at CityHall,226Myster yLakeRoad,Thompsonduring normalofficehoursstartingonSeptember10,2024;and The membersoftheBoardofRevisionwillsittohear applicationsfor revisiononMonday,October7th,2024, at 5:00p.m.intheCouncil Chambers at CityHall,226Myster yLakeRoad, Thompson, Manitoba.
42(1) Apersoninwhosenamethepropertyhasbeenassessed, amortgageeinpossessionofpropertyundersubsection 114(10)ofTheRealPropertyAct,anoccupierofpremises whoisrequiredunderthetermsofaleasetopaythetaxes ontheproperty,ortheassessor,maymake applicationfor therevisionofanassessmentrollwithrespectto: a)liabilitytotaxation; b)amountoftheassessedvalue; c) classificationofproperty;or d) arefusalbyanassessortoamendtheassessmentroll underSubsection13(2).
43(1)An applicationforrevisionmust:
a)bemadeinwriting;
b) setouttheroll number andlegaldescriptionofthe assessablepropertyforwhich arevisionissought; c)setoutwhichofthemattersreferredtoinsubsection 42(1)are at issue,andthegroundsforeachofthose matters;and
d)befiledbyservingitupontheSecretar ytotheBoard at least15days(bySeptember23rd2024)beforethe sittingoftheboardasindicatedabove.
Dated at theCityofThompsonthis6thdayofSeptember2024 Lynn Taylor,Chief FinancialOfficer/Secretar ytotheBoard
ARegularMeetingof Council willbeheld on Monday, September 23 at 7p.m.inCity Hall.Thepubliciswelcome to at tend.The meeting willbelivestreamedonFacebook andYouTube.
Upcomingmeetingagendasare available ontheCit yofThompsonwebsitethe Fridaybeforethemeetingathttps://www thompson.ca/p/minutes-agendas. Minutes of previousmeetingsare alsoavailablethere.
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OPINION
board opts for status quo, way will city council go?
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. 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
BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN
A rural Manitoba school division has set a date for a by-election to replace multiple trustees who walked off the job in the last school year, because of what some said was a toxic environment.
Students across the province returned to classrooms last week, but in the Dauphin-based Mountain View School Division (MVSD) the new school year kicked off with a total of four empty seats on the division’s board of trustees, and only five trustees sitting on what is a nine-person board.
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.
Last week, MVSD set a by-election to fill those four seats for Oct. 30.
One of those seats became vacant last March when trustee Charlene Gulak stepped away to pursue a professional opportunity, but the other three seats were left empty last June under more controversial circumstances.
On June 4, MVSD trustees Leifa Misko, Floyd Martens and Scott McCallum all announced they had tendered their resignations from the board effective immediately, with Misko saying at the time the environment at the board table had gotten
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.
so bad, that she did not feel she could continue to do her job effectively.
“Not all voices are respected or welcomed. It has reached the point where it is no longer effective to remain sitting as a MVSD School Board Trustee. I truly wish this was not the case,” Misko said in a statement she released after announcing her resignation.
married to aligning themselves with any particular side, because right now, the number of opinions on council is generally two – for and against.
Manitoba school division rocked by controversy, sets elections date
during an April board meeting when trustee Paul Coffey made a presentation to the board where he made several claims including that residential schools were “good.”
One of the arguments
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
Those resignations were just some of the slew of controversies the division faced last school year, and that led to the province stepping in and initiating a provincial governance review.
The controversies began
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?
In his presentation he also defended the use of the word “Indian” when referring to Indigenous peoples, and used the term multiple times while speaking, and questioned the need for Indigenous land acknowledgements in schools and events, calling them “divisive.”
The presentation led to outrage among some, including the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, who
called it “profoundly racist.”
Education Minister Nello Altomare also expressed concern about the presentation and announced in April the province would conduct a provincial governance review of MVSD, and appoint an oversight committee to oversee the board, and monitor trustee conduct at their meetings.
Also, on June 3, just one day before the three board members resigned, the board announced that Superintendent Stephen Jaddock had been removed from his role as superintendent after four other trustees on the board including Coffey
voted to oust him.
An email from a provincial spokesperson for the education minister said, “The review is ongoing and there are no further updates at this time.”
MVSD has released a notice of nominations for the Oct. 30 by-election, and nomination packages for prospective nominees are now available at the board office.
— 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.
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Thompson Junior Soccer Association ends year on a high note
BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON THOMPSON CITIZEN STAFF REPORTER
The Thompson Junior Soccer Association has officially closed off the year, marking the culmination of a period filled with enthusiastic participation and remarkable achievements. The association’s commitment to providing an outstanding experience for our youth, underpinned by our unwavering collective passion for soccer, has been resoundingly evident.
for soccer. Our objective is to foster growth in the sport within the community and the north” These sentiments underscore the association’s deep-seated dedication to the sport and the holistic development of its young participants.
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President Nuno Pereria expressed, “At TJSA, we are dedicated to delivering an exceptional experience for our youth, driven by our collective passion
Amidst this exuberant celebration, it is heartening to note that the sport of soccer has garnered remarkable popularity, with nearly 500 enthusiastic young individuals registering to be part of this thriving community. This overwhelming response serves as a testament to the enduring appeal and impact of soccer, not only as a sport but also as a unifying
force that brings together diverse individuals in the spirit of camaraderie and competition. President Pereria also took the opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the invaluable support and substantial contribution of our esteemed sponsor, McDonald’s. Their unwavering commitment and shared vision to reinvigorate and revitalize the landscape of soccer in the northern region have been instrumental in propelling our collective endeavors forward. Their steadfast support has been pivotal in enabling us to further our mission and create a
lasting positive impact on the soccer community.
The Thompson Junior Soccer Association’s commitment to fostering a thriving soccer community for the youth has been commendable. With President Nuno Pereria’s dedication and the generous support of sponsors like McDonald’s, the association has successfully created a platform for young individuals to pursue their passion for soccer and develop essential life skills. As the year comes to a close, the TJSA looks forward to continuing its mission of promoting the sport and creating a positive impact in the northern region.
RCMP seeking four suspects in Easterville home invasion
Rocky start for workplace probe at teachers union
BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
Four men from Easterville are wanted by police in connection with an assault that left another man with serious injuries.
the Free Press.
firm’s proposal last month.
REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Staff members at the Manitoba Teachers’ Society met the official launch of a third-party probe into the union’s embattled headquarters with outrage, tears and widespread skepticism this week.
Chemawawin RCMP were alerted around 11 a.m. March 11 that a 24-year-old man was being taken to the Easterville nursing station for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Investigation determined that four men entered the victim’s home earlier that morning, assaulting him and causing extensive damage before leaving.
Richter Consulting has been hired to investigate workplace culture, harassment and morale issues raised by employees who are in charge of servicing more than 16,600 public school teachers.
Another employee described the workforce, which she said is grappling with workload and cultural issues, as being in a collective state of mourning for an organization that has repeatedly proven to be dysfunctional.
“Our members are understandably frustrated and angry. The society has a legal obligation to provide a harassment-free workplace, and they are failing to meet that standard,” Monette added.
to acknowledge the prior day’s events were “difficult” for everyone involved.
Glen Anderson, interim executive director, relayed the “workplace assessment” schedule, starting with a team of Montreal consultants who conducted in-person interviews between Sept. 10-12, during the first staff-wide meeting of the school year.
Police are asking for the public’s assistance in finding 29-year-old Mitchell Howard Ledoux, 27-year-old Steven Shane Klyne, 26-year-old Shawn Eric Umpherville and 20-year-old Nathan Walter Umpherville, all from Easterville, who are believed to have fled to Winnipeg. The four face numerous charges including aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and breaking and entering.
The 2021-22 handling of an equity audit, the 2023 pause of a strategic plan when workplace grievances were aired during consultations, and the brief tenure of MTS’ first human resources director were cited as reasons staff are skeptical of the latest initiative.
On Tuesday, both Anderson and Lange apologized to employees for the latter’s comments on Aug. 20 and reaffirmed the partnership between MTS and Richter.
“As the meeting unfolded and emotions became more heightened, some staff conducted themselves in a disrespectful manner such as raising voices, interrupting, criticizing, and insulting co-workers,” Anderson wrote in the memo.
“For me, it was lost in translation… My intention was not to hurt anybody or offend anybody. You have to know that for me, diversity, inclusion, equity are really important and values that I cherish a lot,” the francophone consultant said.
Union leaders selected Richter to assess culture and climate on the Portage Avenue campus and review the organization’s structure after engaging with six consultants, Anderson said.
This time last year, after receiving the damning results of a workplace survey conducted by Teamsters Local Union 979, MTS created an HR position to go beyond payroll duties and approach personnel and workplace issues from a broader perspective.
Anyone with information on any of the suspects’ whereabouts is asked to call Chemawawin
The 9 a.m. meeting evolved into a two-hour event of emotional speeches and tense exchanges between employees and both their interim boss — the third individual to assume the union’s top non-partisan post in 10 months — and consultant Heidi Lange.
“It’s been year after year after year of failed attempts to fix and so, I just feel completely hopeless. I have no hope and today has not helped at all,” one staffer said during the hybrid meeting, a recording of which was obtained by
RCMP at 204-329-2004 or Crime Stopper Anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
Teamsters Canada represents roughly 80 people whose roles range from advocating for teachers who have classroom-related concerns to planning professional development sessions.
Union spokesman Christopher Monette said Local 979 has filed 12 grievances in connection to what it calls “the reigning toxic work environment” in one of the largest public-sector unions in Manitoba.
“(Richter’s) involvement has so far only worsened matters,” Monette wrote in an email Thursday.
He noted a consultant referred to some employees as “coloureds” in the context of a discussion on race when speaking to staff about the
Multiple employees expressed concern about the safety of a minority of MTS staff who identify as Indigenous, Black and people of colour in the review process and ensure their anonymity in a final report.
Senior leaders will follow up to address such behaviour and ensure staff understand they are responsible for treating others with respect, “even when frustrated or upset,” he said. Teamsters is urging managers to listen, Monette said, adding: “We urge the society to stop viewing their staff as adversaries.” Lange, the main consultant, told the Free Press that employees’ distraught reactions on Tuesday demonstrated the importance of her consulting firm’s exercise.
Tips can also be submitted securely online at www. manitobacrimestoppers. com or by texting TIPMAN plus a message to CRIMES (274637).
Others criticized the organization’s elected board for not acting sooner to address employees’ concerns.
There were several points during which the room erupted in applause in response to staff who vocalized frustrations.
Anderson was accused of trying to silence employees around 10 a.m. when he suggested the group disperse to allow Richter’s team to begin interviewing.
In a mass email to staff Wednesday, the interim leader — who is stern and, at times, audibly irritated in a recording — said managers felt it was important
The project is ultimately a demonstration of the employer’s will to try to find a solution, she said.
MTS president Nathan Martindale was not made available for an interview.
Martindale and Cynthia Taylor, vice-president of the elected board responsible for governing the union, issued a joint statement on their commitment to working with Anderson to address staff concerns and needs.
Richter does not have a hard deadline for its work.
The consulting team is expected to submit a final report with recommendations to Martindale, Taylor and other members of the provincial executive.
Photo by Noah Cooke
Thompson labeled the Happiest City in Manitoba
BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON THOMPSON CITIZEN STAFF REPORTER
Thompson has been labeled the Happiest City in Manitoba as it has been recognized for its tremendous support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) through Happy Meal purchases! This city has played a crucial role in contributing to the well-being of families with children undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals.
Over the span of 20 years, McDonald’s Canada has generously served over 1 billion Happy Meals, resulting in the remarkable achievement of raising over $100 million for RMHC Canada through the Happy Meal Program.
RMHC Manitoba has been a steadfast source of support for 102 families from Thompson within the last 5 years through its House and Family Room programs.
One such family is the Perry family, who found solace and support for their twoyear-old daughter, Violet, while she bravely battled neuroblastoma.
The facilities and recreational areas at RMHC
Manitoba provided the Perry family with a semblance of normalcy during Violet’s treatment, and they cherish the memories of celebrating holidays and birthdays while being part of the Ronald McDonald House program.
The existence of Ronald McDonald House eliminated the need for the Perry family to endure exhausting eight-hour journeys multiple times a week to ensure Violet received the necessary treatment.
For families who are unable to reside at Ronald McDonald House, the monthly cost of seeking alternative accommodations can soar up to $15,656, making the services provided by RMHC invaluable.
RMHC offers families with sick or injured children a home-like environment while their child receives hospital care, encompassing private lodgings, nutritious meals, laundry facilities, and more. Additionally, families have access to comprehensive wellness programs, including pet visits, fitness activities, and therapy, as part of their healing journey.
Furthermore, RMHC fosters a supportive community for families who understand the challenges of caring for a sick child.
Despite the increasing number of children on the path to recovery, the demand for RMHC services remains substantial, as the collective contribution of your community towards the Happy Meal program has not only brought joy and everlasting memories to guests but has also significantly assisted families at RMHC Manitoba.
The impact of the Happy Meal program and the support from the Thompson community on Ronald McDonald House Charities in Manitoba cannot be overstated. The generosity and dedication of individuals have made a tangible difference in the lives of families facing challenging times. By continuing to support initiatives like the Happy Meal program, we can ensure that RMHC can continue providing vital assistance to families with sick or injured children, offering them comfort, support, and a sense of normalcy during difficult periods.
Police operations target criminal activities in Thompson
BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON THOMPSON CITIZEN STAFF REPORTER
In a recent series of law enforcement, significant developments have taken place, shedding light on the ongoing efforts to address criminal activities in the community. The operations, carried out by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), have resulted in multiple arrests and seizures of illicit substances and firearms.
Clark Chornoby; a 49-yearold individual from Ilford, was pinned on serious charges, including Possession for
TRACY LYNN ROBERTSON
the Purpose of Trafficking and numerous firearm-related offenses. This arrest emphasizes the severity of the situation and its potential impact on public safety and law enforcement. In a subsequent development, a 29-year-old female has been released for a court appearance scheduled for September 26, 2024, in Thompson. She will be facing charges related to Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and several firearm-related offenses. This upcoming court date prompts the need for close monitoring of the
Peacefully, surrounded by family, Tracy passed awayon Friday, September6th,2024. Tracy wasbornDecember 7th,1968,inNorwayHouse, Manitoba,toMariaNeustaeter (neeRobertson).Shespent herfirst13yearsinNorway House,on Tower Islandwith hergrandparents,learningall abouttraditionalways.She hadmany cousinsasplaymatesandwould spendasmuchtime outsideasshecould.ShemovedtoThompsonin1981withherAuntie LeonaandUncleMitchto attendhighschool.In1988,she met the love ofherlife,Barry LynneSchrum,andtheyspentevery weekend theycouldcampinguntiltheypurchasedtheirremotecabin at Paint Lake in1994 Barry and Tracy lovedspendingtime at thecabinand couldalwaysbefoundfishingorskidooing,dependingonthe season Tracy wasan awesomecookandwhenevertherewas a barbequewith friends,herbread andbunswerealways requested Barry and Tracy spent36yearstogetherandBarry often discoveredthat hewasthe new ownerof a newpet! Tracy lovedrescuinganimalsandevery pet theyhadwasalways a surprisetoBarry! Tracy leavestomourn,herpartnerincrime,Barry LynneSchrum, her specialAuntie Leona and UncleMitchaswellas many otheraunts, uncles,cousinsandbestfriends.Shealsoleavestomournher sisters, Debbieand Donnaand herbrothers,David and Danny. Tracy was predeceasedbyherandBarry’s infantsonJared, hermotherMaria andherspecialpetsMason, Pickles, GeorgeBrutus and Lucy. Inlieu of flowers,donationsmaybemadein Tracy’s memory totheThompson HumaneSociety Tracy waslittle,butmighty!She had a hugeheart and she willbegreatlymissedbyall. Tracy hasbeencrematedand a celebrationoflifewill beannounced ata laterdate.
A guide to marking Truth and Reconciliation Day
BY BRENDA SAWATZKY
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THE NIVERVILLE CITIZEN
case’s progress through the justice system.
The report then details a search warrant executed by the RCMP officers with the Thompson General Investigative Section (GIS) at a residence on Brandon Crescent in the City of Thompson. The outcome of the property search revealed the seizure of approximately 110 grams of crack cocaine, $1500 in cash, over 800 illicit pills, and other drug-related paraphernalia.
The report concludes with the mention of Noah Rambarran, a 21-year-old individual from North York, ON, who has also been remanded into custody on serious charges, including Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. Additionally, a 28-year-old female from Thompson has been released for a court appearance scheduled for November 22, 2024, where she will face charges related to Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. These developments underscore the ongoing efforts of the Thompson RCMP to address criminal activities and uphold the rule of law in the community.
The recent law enforcement operations in Thompson reflect the dedication of the RCMP to combat criminal activities, with a focus on ensuring public safety and upholding the justice system. As these cases progress, it is essential for the community and law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant and engaged in addressing the implications of these developments.
This year, for the first time, Truth and Reconciliation Day (TRD) on September 30 will be observed as a statutory holiday in Manitoba. In honour of the day, a number of local organizations are preparing events, and they encourage all Manitobans to participate in order to reflect upon and learn from the legacy of residential schools in Canada’s history.
In Niverville
To kick off the TRD weekend, Canada Awakening Ministries invites people to a special event on Friday, September 27 at the Niverville Community Fellowship Church.
At 6:30 p.m., attendees can take part in an evening of coffee and desserts followed by a concert by Broken Walls, a world-renowned musical group who focuses on performing the songs and sounds of First Nations people. The event is free.
“Too many human hearts, families, communities, and nations are broken and in pain because of the ancient walls of prejudice and misunderstanding,” an advertisement for the ad states.
Jonathan Maracle is the early founder, and current member, of Broken Walls. It all began with a song Maracle wrote for Elijah Harper’s Sacred Assembly in 1995. Since 1998, the band has been performing at venues around the world, including in South America, Asia, Europe, and across North America.
Friendship Trail
On Saturday, September 28, Orange Shirt Day celebrations will return to the St. Adolphe Friendship Trail between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Organized collaboratively by the trail’s volunteers, the St. Adolphe Métis Local, and the RM of Ritchot recreation department, the event will provide a wide
range of things to see and do.
This year, the Story Walk will greet attendees along the dike. The Story Walk is a path revealing a series of signboards, each containing an illustrated page from a book written by Phyllis Webstad. Webstad was a residential school survivor who made famous the orange shirt, which has become a national symbol for TRD.
Entertainment will be provided by two fiddling groups. In the afternoon, Morgan Grace will perform alongside her father, Keith Ginther. The sounds of Nickolas Messner and his band will provide the backdrop for a local hoop dancer.
Canadian First-Aid Training President Christian Clavelle and staff will make presentations along the trail.
Families will enjoy a scavenger hunt as well as wood-carving demonstrations and bannock roasting over the open fire.
New this year is the unveiling of an authentic Red River cart, a symbol of Métis history and culture.
“We purchased it last year with a grant through Indigenous Northern Affairs and we wanted to have it [built] state-of-the-art,” says Gerry Lagasse, Friendship Trail volunteer. “[It’s made by] Armand and Kelly Jerome, who have been building these for twentysome years.”
According to Lagasse, there will be enough funding left over to construct a foundation and roof to house the cart, which will make its eventual home next to the civic building on Main Street.
The unveiling will take place between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. at the Friendship Trail.
For anyone interested in receiving or renewing their Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) citizenship, the MMF Citizen Mobile Unit will be set up at the
Friendship Trail site during the event.
“Everyone is invited to join us on this exciting day to take a lovely walk on this 2.7-kilometre trail,” says Lagasse.
At the Forks On Sunday, September 15, 2024, The Forks in Winnipeg will host the eighth annual We Are All Treaty People Celebration. The event is free to attend and will feature Indigenous arts and crafts, food, family-friendly games, and music and dance by Indigenous and non-Indigenous performers.
Performers include artists such as Fontine, Scott Nolan, Casati, and the Mason Sisters Hoop Dancers. As well, attendees will enjoy a performance by the Island Breeze Pacific Island dancers, who also appeared at this year’s Folklorama.
Past poet laureate Duncan Mercredi will debut a specially commissioned poem. Mercredi is a respected Cree-Métis poet and storyteller from Grand Rapids. His poetry is deeply rooted in Indigenous traditions, carrying profound reflections on land, identity, and healing.
“As the community gathers to mark the 150th anniversary of Treaty 4, this event serves as a reminder that Treaty commitments are not solely the responsibility of Indigenous peoples but of all peoples in Canada,” the event announcement states. “Non-Indigenous organizations are leading this celebration, emphasizing the importance of these historical agreements and their ongoing significance in creating a just and equitable future.”
Organizers of the event include MCC Manitoba along with Winnipeg Quakers, TRC Action Committee United Church, and the Diocese of Rupert’s Land (Anglican), in partnership with the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.
Photo by Duncan McNairnay
Jada Ross performs a Jingle Dress dance at the We Are All Treaty People Celebration in 2022.
Vigil held for late grand chief
BY: CONNOR MCDOWELL
LOCAL JOURNALISM
INITIATIVE REPORTER, BRANDON SUN
A candlelight vigil was held Tuesday evening to commemorate the late Cathy Merrick, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, who died suddenly on Friday.
The vigil took place at Brandon’s Riverbank Discovery Centre at sunset, as dignitaries and community members gathered to mark her passing. The event included drumming and a smudging ceremony.
“She inspired people. Everybody,” said Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett. “She did really want the best for the people she was leading.”
Fawcett described Merrick as charismatic and great at uniting people.
“She had the ability to make everyone comfortable,” he said. “Her humour was contagious. She really was of the people. She could walk with anybody and talk with anybody.”
Lola Thunderchild, a friend and former colleague of Merrick, said the late grand chief would have
wanted people to be kinder to each other as they move forward in her wake.
“Don’t judge each other. Support each other,” said Thunderchild. “Help one another. Be kind to one another. Love one another.”
She said the vigil was a great way to start that message.
“I’m very pleased that something was done,” she said. “It gathered everyone’s hearts at the same time. I know she would be happy.”
Thunderchild teared up as she gave a speech in front of the crowd. She later told the Sun she remained friends with Merrick even after leaving her position on the AMC Women’s Council.
“That’s not just a connection you have with anybody. She was a very blessed person to have in your life.”
Merrick died suddenly while speaking with reporters outside the courthouse in Winnipeg.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs’ first-ever female grand chief, she assumed the role in 2022. Merrick was re-elected to a three-year term at the
AMC’s annual general assembly in July, held on Waywayseecappo First Nation lands just north of Brandon.
In Winnipeg, a book of condolences for Merrick was set up on Tuesday in the legislative building at the foot of the grand staircase. Premier Wab Kinew, Mayor Scott Gillingham and Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville were among those who signed the book Tuesday. The public is also invited to sign the book.
Merrick’s body will lie in state today, ahead of her funeral and burial at her home community of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, where she served as chief before being elected in 2022 to lead the AMC.
Reacting to her sudden death on Friday, multiple chiefs from bands near Brandon told the Sun that Merrick was a great leader for Indigenous people. The Waywayseecappo, Sioux Valley and Canupawakpa Dakota Nation chiefs said they had high hopes with her as their representative, and that the future is hard to imagine in her absence.
Photo by Connor McDowell/Brandon Sun Mayor Jeff Fawcett and Florence Halcrow of Ask Auntie are wrapped in a blanket meant to pay respect to the late AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick at a candlelight vigil at Riverbank Discovery Centre on Tuesday night. The vigil was hosted by Ask Auntie in memory of Merrick, who died suddenly on Friday in Winnipeg.
Could it work? A guaranteed liveable basic income
BY: BRENDA SAWATZKY LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THE NIVERVILLE CITIZEN
Leah Gazan is the NDP Member of Parliament (MP) for Winnipeg Centre. She’s also the primary reason Bill C-223 is currently being considered by the federal government.
Introduced as a private member’s bill in 2021, Bill C-223 calls for the federal government to create a national Guaranteed Liveable Basic Income (GLBI), a model which she and others believe would help end poverty in the country.
The bill would ensure that not a single Canadian lives below the poverty line.
The primary objective of Bill C-223 is to put pressure on the Canadian government to create a national framework for implementing the GLBI within one year.
The bill has since passed first reading and is scheduled to go to its second reading later this month.
“It imposes on the Minister of Finance [the requirement] to present a report that first determines what constitutes a GLBI for each region of Canada,” says Gazan. “We know that costs of living vary depending on where you live. Second, it establishes necessary health and social supports to complement the GLBI.”
While Gazan was the one to table the bill in Ottawa, she says the bill was developed and drafted by leaders in the basic income movement. In order to create the bill, real-life data and verifiable evidence was used.
Apart from a few specific guidelines, Bill C-223 gives full autonomy to the federal government to develop the specifics of the law. The bill as written requires only that GLBI recipients be determined based on age, income level, and Canadian residency.
Gazan says that the GLBI should be available to all people living in Canada over the age of 17, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.
Unlike some other basic income programs already in place, recipients of the GLBI would not be required to participate in education, training, or the labour market to receive it.
“It is not meant to gut the social safety net,” Gazan says. “It is meant to augment and improve our current social safety net because we know that current income guarantees are not liveable.”
Examples of Canada’s existing income guarantees include Employment Income (EI) for the temporarily unemployed and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), a supplementary top-up available to low-income Old Age Security pensioners.
“The purpose of our bill is to lift up those current income guarantees and spread them out to folks that are falling through the cracks,” says Gazan. “This includes the many people in our communities living with complex mental health [issues] or the adults that suffer from intellectual disabilities who live under the poverty line.”
Roundtable
On September 11, Gazan hosted an online roundtable to draw public attention to Bill C-223. A panel of four experts spoke to the merits of a GLBI program.
Among them was Evenly Forget, an officer in the Order of Canada and professor of Community Health Science and Economics at the University of Manitoba (UM). Forget is also the recent author of the book Basic Income for
Canadians: From the COVID-19 Emergency to Financial Security for All. Her interest in the idea of a guaranteed basic income dates back decades and is based on evidence revealed through a pilot project that took place in Dauphin, Manitoba in the 1970s.
The Mincome Experiment Back in 1975, Manitoba became home to what is considered to have been one of the most ambitious social science experiments ever to take place in Canada. The pilot project was called Mincome, derived from the words Manitoba minimum income.
Designed by a group of economists from the University of Manitoba and the provincial government, and implemented by local policymakers, the goal was to address rural poverty.
More specifically, it was initiated to answer the age-old question of whether financial government assistance would produce laziness and reduce work incentive among its recipients.
Dauphin was chosen due to its remote location, considered to be 100 miles too far from anywhere, as well as its population of 10,000, sizeable enough to provide sufficient data for analysis.
The project ran for four years before it was halted due to the political and economic turmoil of the late 70s. The results of the experiment were packed away and not properly studied until, in 2008, Forget took it upon herself to pour through the mountains of collected data.
What she discovered was that, in the years that Mincome operated, hospitalization rates among participating families fell dramatically.
There were also marked improvements in people’s mental health.
Many of the recipients received dental care for the first time in their lives.
No less significant was the extreme rise in the number of Dauphin children completing high school. At the time, students growing up in low-income settings were inclined to quit school early in order to get jobs to help out their families.
During the years of the Mincome experiment, the number of students likely to graduate in Dauphin exceeded that of Winnipeg.
The experiment also opened the door of opportunity for entrepreneurs. When funding was suddenly pulled in 1979, many small businesses folded as the economy returned to the more difficult conditions in place before Mincome. Renewed Interest
In more recent years, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in a minimum basic income has seen a resurgence.
In order to win over popular opinion, Forget and others say that some myth-busting will be necessary.
In light of current high rates of inflation, Forget says one major area of misconception is that a GLBI policy would simply cost the government too much money and propel inflation rates even higher.
The reality, she says, is that the many income supplement initiatives already available in Canada are badly coordinated, creating overlap in some areas and gaps in others.
As well, these programs are unreasonably expensive to administer because they require so many government employees to police the system. By streamlining the system, she says, existing funds
can go a lot further.
“That’s what a basic income does,” says Forget. “It takes money that we’re already spending and it spends it better to make sure that it gets into the hands of people who need it. When we give everybody a basic income that allows them to live above the poverty line, many of those same people will not now be collecting provincial income assistance. Provinces are currently paying about $20 billion per year or more on income assistance.”
Expert Insights
Another expert on the September 11 panel was Sid Frankel, senior scholar of the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. Frankel also sits on the board of directors for Basic Income Canada and Basic Income Manitoba. He’s on a steering committee whose mission is to end child poverty.
He says that GLBI is a quintessential evidence-based policy.
“We have the strongest evidence, experimental and quasi-experimental, going back more than six decades, and the findings of a large number of studies which all converge to make this point,” Frankel says.
According to Frankel, the fact that GLBI appears to be a hard sell is that, both culturally and politically, we are stuck in our dependence on an antiquated way of doing things.
“We are still making the Elizabethan Poor Laws distinction between the deserving and the undeserving poor,” says Frankel of a system of law originating in the early 1600s. “These beliefs were classist, racist, and prejudicial in so many ways… That leads us to inefficient, stigmatizing support systems like social assistance for the so-called undeserving.”
Frankel says this distinction was reinforced by our government during the pandemic when applicants for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) had to prove a certain level of prior earnings before they were eligible to apply.
He points out that people hold some key misconceptions about programs such as the GLBI.
One is that a guaranteed income tends to split families that try to double up on benefits.
There is no evidence to support that belief, Frankel says. There is
evidence to suggest, though, that a GLBI would empower partners who find themselves in violent relationships with no financial way out.
Another myth, he says, is that a guaranteed income robs people of their incentive to work.
“When it comes to work reduction, there is strong evidence that those who do reduce their work are engaged in other socially useful pursuits like education, caregiving to family members, and childcare,” Frankel explains.
Other upsides of removing poverty, he adds, include improved health and well-being, as well as a significant reduction in overall crime, including both property and violent crime.
When accounting for the cost to implement a GLBI, Frankel says that one need also consider the cost of running the Canadian criminal justice system in the face of growing levels of poverty across the country.
In the end, he adds, a GLBI would be there for all Canadians, not just those living in chronic states of poverty.
“For all of us, it will increase our economic security,” Frankel says. “It’s like Medicare. Hopefully we won’t all need [it]. But if we do need it, we know it’ll be there. Same with a basic income if the worst happens to us economically.”
As president of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, Damon Johnston also weighed in on the GLBI. Johnston has been a voice of advocacy for the Indigenous community since 1994.
Like others, Johnston believes that a GLBI would turn the tide of perpetual poverty among his people, an outcome he says is the result of segregation through the reserve system.
“There was never any thought, that I can see, given to economic development and creating opportunity for Indigenous people’s participation in the economy,” Johnston says. “In fact, there were clauses in the Indian Act that prevented that.”
Still, Johnston says he’s more interested in finding solutions than pinpointing who’s to blame for the current reality.
Ben Earl rounded out the panellists at the September 11 roundtable. Earl is the CEO of
Feed the Need in Durham, Ontario and general manager of the Basic Income Canada Network.
“I believe that the crisis we’re facing around food insecurity is one of the most alarming because it’s so foundational to the health of all Canadians,” Earl says. “It’s the great leveller—food. We all need it.”
Earl says that, according to statistics, 8.7 million Canadians reported being food insecure in 2023. This is an increase of 1.8 million over the year prior and an increase of almost 3 million since 2020.
The alarming aspect of this stat, Earl says, is that these growing numbers include people who are already working full-time and, in many cases, come from dual-income households.
This puts an unnecessary strain on volunteer foodbanks that are there to serve as an emergency response system for Canadians who find themselves in shortterm economic stress. They cannot be sustained as a long-term solution for a growing number of Canadians.
Based on a pilot program run in Ontario in past years, Earl says that providing people with a guaranteed minimum income didn’t just increase people’s access to food; it increased their access to the right kinds of food.
“If they had special diets or if they wanted access to fresh fruits and vegetables, [they could buy those],” Earl says.
Moral Imperative
Gazan says that Bill C-223 is at a critical juncture. If it passes second reading in Parliament, it will move to a parliamentary committee for further study. This would be the first time in history that such a committee studied basic income.
“It’s a huge opportunity even if it doesn’t make it to third reading within the election cycle,” says Gazan. “Let’s make this one of the main election issues going into the next federal election.”
Gazan is urging every Canadian to reach out to their federal and provincial MPs to advocate on behalf of Bill C-223.
“It’s not just a moral imperative,” Gazan says. “It’s a constitutional obligation… to uphold the basic human rights of all people living in Canada.”
Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash
Union exec to lead new teacher registry
BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
A Winnipeg teacher who has spent the last 25 years in union support and management roles across the country will be in charge of creating new disciplinary processes for her profession and launching a public registry.
Bobbi Taillefer has been tapped as the inaugural commissioner of Manitoba’s teacher registry and will oversee its 2025 rollout, the Free Press has learned.
Taillefer, who is a francophone, began teaching at Winnipeg’s Churchill High School in the 1980s. She was an elementary principal in the city before moving into union operations early on in her career.
Her latest role will involve reviewing complaints about teacher “misconduct and incompetence” and using her discretion to probe or close cases.
“This is an initial step. It’s a first time. Everybody’s eyes are on it. I think the legislation is good — the implementation needs to be as good,” Taillefer said in a phone interview on Wednesday evening.
“We’re going to work really hard to make sure that all parties, everybody who has an interest in this, is confident that it’s well run.”
Complaints are currently dealt with internally by the Manitoba Teachers’ Society — Taillefer’s employer from 1998 to 2019 — and through the court system.
Secrecy surrounding status quo processes led the former Progressive Conservative government to propose sweeping reforms, including the creation of an online database of teacher names, qualifications and standing, in 2023.
The NDP has promised to follow through with changes laid out in legislation, the Education Administration Act (Teacher Certification and Professional Conduct), by January.
“We’re hopeful that this individual will be able to take a non-biased approach to managing this registry, which is what the public wants,” said PC MLA Grant Jackson, education critic for the official Opposition.
At the same time, Jackson
said the province has “put some questions into the process” by choosing “a very heavily aligned individual.”
Asked about the optics of selecting a well-known unionist, Education Minister Nello Altomare said Taillefer’s professional qualifications are “beyond reproach” and he trusts she will be effective.
Altomare called her “the right person at the right time.”
Contract details are being finalized, but the commissioner will work on a fulltime basis in the new year, he said.
The government appointee’s term can be up to five years and re-appointments are permitted.
Both the Manitoba School Boards Association and MTS — whose leadership has repeatedly pushed back against the creation of a regulatory body similar to those in place for physicians and lawyers — had high praise for Taillefer on Wednesday.
Taillefer has consistently brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise “to the many responsibilities she has performed within public education across Canada for several decades,” said Sandy Nemeth, president of the association that represents 38 school boards in the province.
She spent her final years at MTS as general secretary, the highest non-political role at the union.
(In 2017, former education
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Ifyouare interested in applyingfor apositionpleasesubmit anupto dateresumetothe ProgramManagerChristineFenner/orExecutive DirectorHelen Trudeau.Applications are duebyMarch15/2024by 4pm.
minister Peter Bjornson sued MTS and Taillefer, alleging the union had reneged on the promise of a union staff job that he left politics in order to be eligible for two years earlier.)
Her resumé also includes high-profile roles at the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, both of which are in provinces with existing teacher registries.
“It’s going to give the commission a lot of credibility with teachers because she has been a union activist all her career — when she was a teacher, when she was a principal, when she was working for the society,” said Diane
Beresford, a retired teacher who worked with Taillefer for 20 years at MTS.
Beresford said Taillefer is known for being “pro-teacher” and making “even-handed” decisions.
Since 2021, Taillefer has been employed as executive director of the STF, representing more than 13,500 teachers in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatoon-based union posted her job on Monday. The senior role involves advocating for teachers’ interests, reporting on operations and finances, and liaising with government, school boards and other education groups in that province, it states.
A handful of sources
JOBPOSTING
Counselor Level 1Casual
Thesuccessfulclientwillhave aworkingunderstandingofDomestic and/orFamilyviolenceandrelatedissues.Haveoneormore yearsof counseling experience,preferablyintheareaofcrisisinterventionor domestic/familyviolence,withsomeprofessionaltrainingi.e.Applied CounselingCertificateand/orrelevantpost-secondaryeducation(Social work,Nursingorwork-related experience).
Have acurrentCPRandFirstAideorwillingtoobtainand recentChildabuse registry/Criminalrecordcheck. ValidDriver’slicenseorwillingtoobtain. Mustbeabletowork cross-culturally,theabilityto speak asecondlanguage isanasset.Haveanunderstandingandrespectof LGBTQ1issuesandthe vulnerablesectors.
Bewillingtoworkshiftwork:includingdays,afternoons,nights,weekends andstatholidaysasrequired.
Bereliable,dependable,flexible,andpunctualand havea goodworkethic. Ifyouareinterestedinapplyingfor apositionpleasesubmitanupto dateresumetothe ProgramManagerChristineFenner/orExecutive DirectorHelen Trudeau.ApplicationsareduebyMarch15,2023by 4pm.
JOBPOSTING
Full-TimeDayCounselor Level1
August 21,2024
Thesuccessful clientwill have aworkingunderstandingofDomestic and/or Familyviolence and related issues.Haveoneormoreyearsof counseling experience,preferably intheareaof crisisinterventionor domestic/familyviolence,withsomeprofessionaltrainingi.e. Counseling degreeand/or relevant post-secondaryeducation (Socialwork, Nursing orwork-related experience).
Have acurrentCPRandFirstAideor willing toobtainandrecentChild abuse registry/Criminalrecordcheck.Valid Driver’s license orwillingtoobtain. Mustbe able toworkcross-culturally,theabilitytospeak asecondlanguage isanasset.Haveanunderstandingandrespectof LGBTQ1issuesandthe vulnerablesectors.
Be willingtoworkshiftwork:includingdays, afternoons,nights,weekends andstatholidaysasrequired.
Be reliable,dependable,flexible,andpunctualandhavea goodworkethic. Ifyouareinterestedinapplying for aposition,please submitanup-to-date resumetothe ProgramManagerChristineFenner/orExecutiveDirector HelenTrudeau Applications willbeaccepteduntilthepositionisfilled.
confirmed the appointment, which has yet to be formally announced.
“It’s a shame if we’re just going to look across the border to Saskatchewan and pick up a system that has demonstrated that it’s ineffective for students and for the general public,” said Cameron Hauseman, an associate professor of educational administration at the University of Manitoba.
As far as Hauseman’s concerned, STF has far too much influence in Saskatchewan’s registry and the set-up works against its goal of promoting transparency and public confidence.
The academic — who is listed as a certified teacher in good standing in the Ontario College of Teachers’ online database — said Taillefer’s “strong union ties” give him pause.
The B.C. government scrapped its teachers college in 2011 over concerns about its independence and replaced it with a new model that reduced the teachers union’s control in disciplinary matters, he noted.
Taillefer rejected his criticism of the Saskatchewan model and argued the setup is successful because it ensures all people involved in the complaint process are respected.
“Unions are not interested
in having issues that degrade the profession,” the commissioner said.
MTS president Nathan Martindale said he was pleased with the choice, citing the appointee’s experience at all levels of the public education system and understanding of the labour relations process.
“From Day 1, we were clear that the commissioner must have a strong background in public education to ensure the best outcomes for teachers and students,” Martindale said, adding he is focused on ensuring the overhauled system’s decision-making panels are made up primarily of teachers.
The legislation allows the commissioner to enter into an agreement with any teacher who’s under scrutiny about appropriate consequences or call a hearing and appoint a panel to issue a ruling. It indicates that panels must include at least one teacher, an individual selected by the school boards association and a public representative.
In addition to her education experience, Taillefer has acted as a public representative in investigations into critical incidents in federal prisons.
Formerly Bobbi Ethier, she was president of the Liberal Party of Canada in the early 2000s.
PROF ES SIONAL EMPLOY MENTOPPO RT UNIT Y AWASIS AG ENCY OFNO RT HERNMANI TO BA UNIT:L AC BROCHE T(NO RT HLANDS DENESULINE)S UB-O FFICE LO CATION:L AC BROCHE T, MB
Position: FosterCare Worker/DataClerk One(1)Full-Time PermanentPosition
TheFosterCareWorker/Data Clerkisa memberoftheFosterCare andQualityAssuranceandDatadepartments.The incumbent develops relationships with foster parentsandchildrenincare, providingongoingsupportandlicensinghomes.Theincumbent receivesandentersdataonall casetypesandprovidesmonth-end reportsoncasefiles.TheFosterCareWorker/Data Clerksupportsthe workoftheAgencywithadministrative tasks,ensuringtheaccuracy ofdata inputwhile followingtheAgency’spoliciesandpractices Theworkisdetailedand requiresthatconfidentialitybemaintained Qualifications:
•HighSchooleducationorequivalent
•1-2 yearsofexperienceinthefieldpreferred.
•Demonstratedorganizationalskills.
•Knowledge of fosterhomelicensingpoliciesand regulations
•FamiliaritywithMicrosoftOffice(MicrosoftSuite,Excel,Word, etc)
•Knowledge andunderstandingoftheChild,YouthandFamily ServicesAct.
•Validdriver ’s license
• Backgroundchecks must meet Agencyminimalacceptable standards.
•Demonstratedknowledge ofNorthern communities
•AbilitytospeakCreeanasset.
WorkingConditions:
• Fast-paced,community-based,timesensitive,multi-disciplinary child welfareenvironment
•Independentworkwithlittledirectsupervision.
• Confidentialenvironmentwithaccesstohighlysensitive information
•Repetitivecomputer work
•Overnight andremotetravelmay be requiredoccasionally Salary: AwasisAgencyoffersa competitivesalaryandemployee benefitpackage.Salary will commensuratewitheducationand experience
ClosingDate:Friday,October4,2024
AwasisAgencyprovidesservicetoIndigenouschildrenandfamilies, thereforepreferencewillbegiventoIndigenousapplicants Applicantsareencouragedtoself-identify. Individualsinterestedin this challengingopportunity please reference CompetitionNumber 2024-103on your resume/coverletterandincludeitinthesubject lineofyouremail,inconfidence to: HumanResourcesDepartment
AwasisAgencyofNorthernManitoba Competition#2024-103
701ThompsonDrive,Thompson,MBR8N2A2 Fax:204-778-8428Email:hr@awasisagency.ca We thankallapplicantswhoapply, however, onlythoseselectedforaninterviewwillbe contacted. Applicantsmayrequest reasonableaccommodationrelated to thematerialsoractivities usedthroughouttheselectionprocess
Photo supplied by Manitoba Teachers’ Society
Bobbi Taillefer
Online carpooling tool makes ridesharing easier
BY BRENDA SAWATZKY LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THE NIVERVILLE CITIZEN
Thanks to $30,000 in new provincial funding, GoManitoba is offering Manitobans a better online platform when it comes to creating their carpool and rideshare connections.
GoManitoba is part of the not-for-profit group Green Action Centre (GAC). The organization’s primary goal is to introduce sustainable, healthy commuting options to Manitobans.
It’s not just a means of finding carpool partners, though. The app also provides up-to-date information on Winnipeg’s public transit routes and walking and bike paths.
As well, the site connects users with mentors who can help them navigate the public transit system for the first time or find the best
Over view:
bike-friendly routes.
On September 12, Tracy Schmitt, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, met with members of the GAC and University of Manitoba Sustainability Projects Coordinator, Christie Nairn, to make the funding announcement.
“Finding greener and more sustainable transportation options is critical to reduce our GHG emissions,” says Schmidt. “Our government is taking real action to fight climate change and we are proud to support tools like GoManitoba to help Manitobans work together to protect our planet while saving money on their commute.”
GoManitoba was first launched in 2017. Thanks to the recent introduction of the more user-friendly platform, GAC hopes the word will continue to spread and increase the number of users.
Mel Marginet is one member of the sustainable transportation team at GAC. She’s excited to launch the sleek new carpool tool.
“The most common use is to find carpool partners,” Marginet tells The Citizen. “This [site] is kind of like the Kijiji of carpooling where the ‘buyers’ and ‘sellers’ are coming together to make those connections.”
While most of the existing 3,000 GoManitoba members are residents of Winnipeg, Marginet says that the tool is equally useful to rural residents.
PermanentOppor tunity –Estimator (Rural)
ManitobaPublic Insurance, Thompson ServiceCentre
“We really see carpooling as the missing link for a lot of communities that don’t have public transit to get them to and from the city or from their neighbouring communities,” Marginet says. “This can really offer people the opportunity to reduce their driving alone or to offer commuting options to people who have been, so far, left behind in a lot of ways.”
As theEstimator–Rural ,you will be responsible forestimating damage to allt ypes of vehicles .You will complete estimatesata serviceorclaim centre ,and work remotely visiting off-siterepair facilities , tow truckcompanycompounds, and otherlocations. Youwillinspec tvehicle damageandprovide an estimate forthe totalcostofrepairs
Responsibilities:
•Inspect vehicles attheser vice/claim centre and satellite estimatinglocations. Confirmdamage andprepare vehicledamageestimates usinganautomated estimatingsystem,inaccordance with MPIEstimating Standards and OriginalEquipment Manufacturer (OEM)repairprocedures
Organizeand completeroadcall estimatestoensurea highlevel of servicetocustomers and repair facilities
Review supplementsand first- estimatessubmitted by repair facilities to ensure accuracy ;approve additional repairsinaccordancewithMPI Estimating Standards and OEMrepairprocedures
Review Direct Repairand correspondingsupplementsandphotographssubmitted byDirect Repair facilities to ensure accuracy, andapproves additional repairsinaccordancewithMPI Estimating Standards and OEMrepairprocedures
• Reviewandapprovefirst estimatesand supplementssubmitted by repairand remediation facilities formouseinfestation claims, off-roadvehicles, recreational vehicles(RV )andmotorcycles.
•Reviewandapproveclaimssubmitted throughthe virtual claimsf ile (VCF )process
•Complete firstestimates on commercialvehicles.
•Determine if avehicle is repairableor atotalloss
•Review repairscompletedbyrepairfacilities, andauthorizeadditional repairsasrequired forown and other estimator’swork.
•Complete documentation to suppor tclaim filedecisions, investigations and/orlegalaction.
Qualifications:
•Journeyperson Certif icate(RedSeal) or Certif icate ofQualificationin MotorVehicleBody Repairer
Automotive ServiceTechnician, or Truckand Transpor tMechanic.
•Seven yearsbenchexperienceinautobodyrepairincludingone year experience in acustomer ser vice capacity
OR
•Highschooldiplomaorequivalent
•Ten yearsofbenchexperienceinthe autobodyrepairincludingoneyearexperienceina customer ser vice capacity
•PlatinumstatusinEstimatoror Auto PhysicalDamageAppraiserrolewithin theI-CAR Gold Class ProfessionalsDesignationprogram, or willingness to complete and maintaindesignation.
Employee Benefits:
Healthbenefits
We offer acomprehensive health benefits programthatincludes:
•f lexiblehealth,dentaland visionplans
•healthspendingaccount
•travelhealthcoverage
•other ex tendedhealthbenefits such as ambulance ,massageandphysiotherapy
Financialsecurit y In an effor ttosuppor tf inancialsecurit y, we offer :
•registeredpensionplan
•group,dependent ,and optionallife insurancecoverage criticalillness insurance
•sickleave to covershort-termdisabilit y
•long-termdisability
Wellness
We offerprograms that focusonhowtobetterachieve abalance betweenworkand personal commitments, as well asmaintain ahealthy workplaceculture.Thisincludes:
•vacationentitlement
•maternity,parentalandadoptive leaves
•bereavementand familyresponsibility leaves
•employeeand familyassistanceprogram
Diversit yandinclusion
•mental-health programming
•lunch-and-learn offerings discounted gymmembershipsand wellness account
Manitoba Public Insurancebelievesthatdiversity andinclusion strengthensus. We considerourselves to be abarrier-freeorganizationwhere individual values ,beliefs andpractices arerespected and appreciatedfor thediversity they bring to ourworklife
Employee recognition
It ’s important to recognizeouremployees fortheir contributions. Notonlydowerecognizeemployees as they achieve milestone yearsintheir careers, we also have severaloutlets forleadersand peers to reward each other forworkwelldone
Professional development
We wantouremployees to grow,which iswhyweoffersuppor tinkeeping theirskillsup-to -date. We offerin-housetraining ,professionaldevelopmentandan educationalassistanceprogram. Safet yand health
In an effor ttoencourage asafeandhealthyworkenvironment, we offer various safety,healthand workplacepoliciesandprograms alongwithtechnicalexper tise andassistancetosupport employee ac tivities in safety andhealth
Applyonline:https://careers-mpi.icims .com/
Marginet says that the tool isn’t just there for those needing to carpool to work on a daily basis. It can be used by anyone for sin-
gle-trip options, too. For instance, if someone is looking to rideshare in order to get to a medical appointment, GoManitoba provides the means to arrange it.
Anyone planning private or public events will also find the app useful as a way to offer sustainable travel options to their guests.
UCNisbuildingbetterfuturesfor astrongerNorth.UCN provides learning opportunities to northern communities anditspeopleoffering morethan fortyacademicdegrees, diploma,andcertificateprograms.
The provincial funding will serve a second purpose for GAC. Now they’ll be able to incentivize business owners across the province to network with GoManitoba.
SCHEDULIN GA SSIS TA NT
EnrolmentServices
We committooffering asafe,welcoming,andinclusivework environmentwhereinnovationandcreativityiswelcomed. We areoneofManitoba’s TopEmployersandoffer agenerous TotalCompensationPackagewithhealthbenefits,a great pensionplanalongwiththeopportunityforpersonaland professionalgrowth.
Full-Time,RegularPosition ThePasorThompson,Manitoba CompetitionNo:24-135 ClosingDate:September24, 2024 Pleasevisitourwebsiteformoredetailedinformationabout UCNandthisemploymentopportunity. Athttp://www.ucn.ca, select“UCNCareers”, andselectfromthelistofpositionsto view.ThankyouforyourinterestinUCN.
Marginet says that, statistically, most users of the carpool app first heard about GoManitoba through their place of employment. For this reason, GAC recognizes the benefit in getting employers on board as networking partners.
“As much as we can promote as a small non-profit, it really makes a difference when those organizations sign up and help get the word out,” says Marginet.
UCNisbuildingbetterfuturesfor astrongerNorth.UCN provideslearningopportunitiestonortherncommunities anditspeopleoffering morethanfortyacademicdegrees diploma,and certificate programs
7 SELKIRK main floor
For a nominal monthly fee, organizations can create network pages on the GoManitoba site. Here, they can run employee contests and reward programs to encourage carpool use. It also gives the organization free access to GoManitoba’s Emergency Ride Home program, which reimburses carpool employees if they need to use public transit or a taxi to leave work early due to a personal emergency.
Organizations who register with GoManitoba can receive the first six months of membership for free.
LIBRARYC LERK
LibraryServices Part-Time, TermPosition(Seasonal) ThePas,Manitoba CompetitionNo:24-130 ClosingDate:September26,2024
We committooffering asafe,welcoming, andinclusivework environmentwhereinnovationandcreativity iswelcomed. We areoneofManitoba’sTop Employers and offer agenerous TotalCompensation Packagewithhealthbenefits, agreat pensionplanalongwiththeopportunityforpersonaland professionalgrowth.
Universit yCollegeoftheNorth HEREYOUCAN UCN.CA
Pleasevisitourwebsiteformoredetailedinformationabout UCNandthisemployment opportunity.Athttp://www.ucn.ca, select“UCNCareers”, andselectfromthelistofpositionsto view.ThankyouforyourinterestinUCN.
Universit yCollegeoftheNorth HEREYOUCAN UCN.CA
Photo by Bethany Daman
Mel Marginet, member of the sustainable transportation team at the Green Action Centre.
Potentially lethal meth on streets of Brandon, officials warn
BY DAVE BAXTER
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN
Officials in Brandon are warning that potentially lethal drugs have been circulating in the city, after a batch of methamphetamine recently sold on the streets was found to contain high amounts of fentanyl.
“That’s just the reality of the state we are in right now; we just have a toxic supply of drugs,” Brandon coordinator for the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network (MHRN) Solange Machado said.
“There is a lot of stuff going around that is making people sick, and there are more and more potent drugs that people maybe aren’t used to.”
On Friday, MHRN, an organization made up of 11 regional sites across the province that works to coordinate and support harm reduction efforts, posted a notice on their social media that a substance recently sold in Brandon that the
Position: CaseAide
buyer believed was methamphetamine contained 21% fentanyl.
According to Machado, each MHRN site has what they refer to as a peer group made up of those who have used or do use drugs, and she said those peers can come to them and get advice “without judgment” if they feel something is wrong with the drugs they have taken or are planning to take, or if they believe something dangerous might be making the rounds on the streets.
She said a peer in Brandon recently brought in a batch of meth after using and suspecting that something was wrong with the drugs.
“She just thought something wasn’t right because she had used the drug and just felt unusual, and she wanted to get it tested,” Machado said. The meth was sent to Winnipeg for testing and results recently came back that showed the drugs
PROF
ES SIONAL EMPLOY MENTOPPO RT UNIT Y AWASIS AG ENCY OFNO RT HERNMANI TO BA UNIT/O FFICE:T HOMPSO NS ERVICE DELIVE RY OFFICE (TSD O) LO CATION:T HOMPSO N, MB
One(1)FullTime Termposition(to August 2025)
Summary of Position:
TheCaseAideprovidespracticalandadministrativesupport to the Worker(s)andSupervisor(s)intheirassignedUnit.While following guidelines relatedtoclients’safetyandprivacy, theCaseAideis responsiblefor facilitating case-relatedactivitiesonbehalfofthe unitwhenworkingwith familiesandchildren.Demonstrating a workingknowledge oflegislation,Agencypoliciesandpracticesthe CaseAideis responsibletocheck caseprogress, conductinterviews, assist with compilingcaseparticularsforCourt,ensuringaccurate andtimelydocumentation,amongothertasks
Qualifications:
• Somepost-secondary education,oranacceptablecombination ofeducationandworkexperience.
• 1-2years of experienceinanadministrativeroleorchild welfare workenvironment.
•ProficiencyinuseofMicrosoftoffice(Excel,Word, Teams,and Outlook).
•ValidClass5 Driver ’s License.
• GoodunderstandingofNorthernFirst Nationculturesand communities.
•Abilitytospeakandwrite Cree/Deneanasset.
WorkingConditions:
•Fast-paced,time-sensitive child welfareworkingenvironment.
• BackgroundChecks must meet Agencyminimalacceptable standards
•Independentworkperformedaspartofa team
•Access to highlysensitive andconfidentialmaterialforwhich privacymustbemaintained.
•Performingon-call rotations,and overtimerequired.
•Occasionalliftingto30lbs
• Up to 20%travel,someofwhichmayberemoteand overnight.
Salary: AwasisAgencyoffersa competitivesalaryandemployee benefitpackage.Salary will commensuratewitheducationand experience
ClosingDate:Monday, September23,2024
AwasisAgencyprovidesservice to Indigenouschildrenandfamilies, thereforepreferencewillbegiventoIndigenousapplicants Applicantsareencouragedtoself-identify. Individualsinterestedin thischallengingopportunity please reference CompetitionNumber 2024-105on your resume/coverletterandinthesubjectlineof youremail in confidenceto: HumanResourcesDepartment AwasisAgencyofNorthernManitoba Competition#2024-105
701ThompsonDrive,Thompson,MBR8N2A2
Fax:204-778-8428Email:hr@awasisagency.ca
We thankallapplicantswhoapply, however, onlythoseselectedforaninterviewwillbe contacted. Applicantsmayrequest reasonableaccommodationrelated to thematerialsoractivities usedthroughouttheselectionprocess
contained 21% fentanyl, Machado confirmed.
She added that amount of fentanyl can cause overdoses and in some cases death, and would be dangerous mixed with meth, because the two drugs are so different in how they affect the brain and the body.
“It’s a high amount particularly to be in meth because meth is a stimulant and you don’t want to see opioids mixed with stimulants, because they have basically opposite effects on the brain, so they often don’t react well together.”
MHRN continues to work directly with former and current drug users and build trust with them in a number of ways including with their peer groups, and Machado said that is why a user felt comfortable
bringing in drugs they were concerned about.
She added building those relationships helps to give MHRN a better and more realistic take of what is happening in communities and what drugs are circulating in Manitoba, and of when they need to warn people about the drugs that are out there.
“They are typically the first to know if something is wrong on the streets, and they are really good at communicating what’s going on, and what is wrong or concerning on the streets,” she said.
“If they think something isn’t right they share with us but they also share with one another, because they really work to take care of one another, and watch out for each other.”
PROF ES SIONAL
EMPLOY MENTOPPO RT UNIT Y AWASIS AG ENCY OFNO RT HERNMANI TO BA
UNIT/O FFICE:K EEWAT IN O/YATT HE GH EFAMILYE NHANCEMENTCENTRE LO CATION:T HOMPSO N, MB
Position: FamilyEnhancementWorker(TSDO)
One(1)Full-Time Position
Reporting to aFamilyEnhancementSupervisor,the Family EnhancementWorkerwillprovidechildrenand familieswithsupport services to keepthemfromenteringthechildandfamilyservices protectionsystembyprovidingpreventativeserviceopportunities andresources,facilitating awarenessandeducation,advocacyand counselling.Theoverallaimistoengageparents,extendedfamily andcommunitypartners inidentifying problemsandparticipating inservices andsupportsthataddress familyneeds.TheFamily EnhancementWorkerwillutilizea continuumof resources,develop caseplans, coordinate theresourcesandsupportsneededand arrangelinkages/connectionstoother community resourcessuch asdayprograms, respiteservicesandotherculturallyappropriate resources.TheFamilyEnhancementWorkerwillpossessandutilize theinterpersonalskills to workwithchildren, families, staff,and collaterals
Qualifications:
•BachelorofSocialWorkDegree(BSW)with experienceinchild welfarepreferred,ora combinationof experienceandtraining
•Commitmenttocommunity-basedservicedelivery
•WorkingknowledgeofCFS legislation,standardsandissues
• KnowledgeofChild &FamilyServicesInformation System(CFSIS) anasset
•Assessment,interviewing,and counsellingskills
•Demonstratedwrittenand verbal communicationskills
•Demonstratedcrisisinterventionandconflict resolutionskills
• Astrongworkethicandreliable
•Provenabilitytoprioritize workloadsandmeet deadlines
•ProficiencyinMicrosoftWord,ExcelandOutlook
•Self-motivatedwiththeabilitytoworkindependently,aswell aspartof apreventionunit team
• Sensitivity to,andanunderstandingofFirst Nationsculture andvalues
•Abilitytospeakand/orunderstandtheCreelanguagewould beanasset
WorkingConditions:
•Fast-pacedenvironment
• Confidentialityenvironment withaccess to sensitive information
•Overnight andremotetravelapproximately10%ofthetime
• Backgroundchecks must meet Agencyminimalacceptable standards
•Maintaina validdriver ’s licenseandhaveaccess to avehicle
Salary: AwasisAgencyoffersa competitivesalaryandemployee benefitpackage.Salary will commensurate with educationand experience
ClosingDate: Tuesday, October1,2024
AwasisAgencyprovidesservice to Indigenouschildrenandfamilies, thereforepreferencewillbegiventoIndigenousapplicants Applicantsareencouragedtoself-identify. Individualsinterestedin this challengingopportunity please reference CompetitionNumber 2024-106on your resume/coverletterandincludeitinthesubject lineofyouremail,inconfidence to: HumanResourcesDepartment AwasisAgencyofNorthernManitoba Competition#2024-106
701ThompsonDrive,Thompson,MBR8N2A2 Fax:204-790-4455Email:hr@awasisagency.ca
We thankallapplicantswhoapply, however, onlythoseselectedforaninterviewwillbe contacted. Applicantsmayrequest reasonableaccommodationrelated to thematerialsoractivities usedthroughoutthe selectionprocess
And according to Machado, there is a good chance that drugs laced with fentanyl and other possibly toxic substances are still making the rounds in Brandon, and she hopes those who do make the choice to use drugs take whatever precautions they can to keep from being harmed or killed.
“It could be the same batch or there can be similar batches going around, so we warn people to have naloxone kits around and never ever use alone,” she said.
The toxic drugs recently tested are also causing concerns in the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation (SVDN), a First Nations commun -
ity located about 50 kilometres west of Brandon, as officials are warning the same drugs or similar ones could make their way into, or have possibly already arrived in SVDN.
“It is highly likely this drug will make its way to SVDN borders,” SVDN said in a notice on their Facebook page.
“This drug can kill rapidly through respiratory depression, so we will need to remain hyper-vigilant in the forthcoming days.”
— 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.
Position: CulturalServicesCoordinator
One(1)Full-TimePermanent Position
Summary of Position:
TheCulturalServicesCoordinatorwillprovideculturallyappropriate servicesin regard to communityandfamilyhistory, language and customs to staff,childrenincareand families.TheCulturalServices Coordinatorwillprovidethefollowingservices:ongoingsupportand counsellingtostaffinregardtopersonaldevelopment andcultural awareness;supportwithcrisisinterventionanddebriefing;grief support counsellingservices;as wellasopportunity forcultural ceremonies forstaff.
TheCulturalServicesCoordinatorwillassist indevelopingideas/ programsinprovidingopportunitiesfor familiesthat want to utilize culturalceremoniesaspartofthecaseplan;accept referralsfrom UnitSupervisorstoenhancethesupportnetworkfor familiesinthe community.Thisincludesaccessingpreventative/social/culturaland medicalprogramsintheir community;provide FamilyEnhancement Workerswiththeoutlineoftheplannedsessionsandprovidecontact notesand reportsonthescheduledsessionswiththefamily;actas afacilitator to promoteself-helpopportunitiesand capacitybuilding inthecommunity;andwillpossessandutilizetheinterpersonalskills to workwithchildren, families, staff,and collaterals
Qualifications:
•WorkingknowledgeofCFS legislation,issues,andstandards
•Assessment,interviewing,and counsellingskills
•Demonstratedcrisisinterventionandconflict resolutionskills
•Oralcommunicationskills
•Goodorganizational,timemanagement andprioritizingskills
•Provenabilitytoprioritize workloadsandmeet deadlines
•ProficiencyinuseofMicrosoftoffice(Word,Excel, Teamsand Outlook)
•Self-motivatedwiththeabilitytoworkindependentlyas well as ateamsetting
• Sensitivity to andunderstandingofFirstNationscultureand values
•Abilitytospeakandwrite CreeorDenelanguage anasset
WorkingConditions:
•Fast-paced,time-sensitive childwelfare workingenvironment
•Access to highlysensitive andconfidentialmaterialforwhich privacymustbemaintained.
•Overnight andremotetravelapproximately25%ofthetime
• Backgroundchecks must meet Agencyminimalacceptable standards
•Maintaina validdriver ’s licenseandhaveaccess to avehicle
Salary: AwasisAgencyendeavours to beanemployerofchoice andoffers acompetitivesalary, generouspaidtimeoff, andan excellent employee benefitpackage. Salary will commensurate with educationandexperience.
ClosingDate:Openuntilfilled
AwasisAgencyprovidesservice to Indigenouschildrenandfamilies, thereforepreferencewillbegiventoIndigenousapplicants Applicantsareencouragedtoself-identify. Individualsinterestedin this challengingopportunity please reference CompetitionNumber 2024-107on your resume/coverletterandinthesubjectlineof youremail in confidenceto: HumanResourcesDepartment AwasisAgencyofNorthernManitoba Competition#2024-107
701ThompsonDrive,Thompson,MBR8N2A2
Fax:204-778-8428Email:hr@awasisagency.ca
We thankallapplicantswhoapply, however, onlythoseselected foraninterview willbe contacted. Applicantsmayrequest reasonableaccommodationrelated to thematerialsoractivitiesusedthroughouttheselectionprocess
Two separate investigations leads Thompson RCMP to the seizure of drugs
On September 16, 2024, at approximately 1:00 pm, Thompson RCMP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle located on Wolf Street in the City of Thompson.
As the officer pulled in behind the suspect vehicle, the driver immediately exited his vehicle and began walking towards the police vehicle in what appeared to be a threatening manner.
The officer exited his vehicle and immediately detained the driver and conducted a cursory search for weapons.
Upon his search, the officer located a crack pipe with crack/cocaine inside of it.
The 49-year-old male driver and 29-year-old female passenger, both from Thompson, were arrested and secured in the police vehicle.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 115 grams of cocaine, cash, a hatchet and other drug-related paraphernalia.
Officers then prepared and executed a search warrant for a residence located on Birch Avenue where they seized an additional quantity of cocaine, cash, a firearm and additional drug-related paraphernalia.
Clark Chornoby, 49, from Illford, was remanded into custody on charges in -
cluding Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and numerous firearm-related offences. The 29-year-old female was released for court scheduled for September 26, 2024, in Thompson where she will face charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and several firearm-related offences.
Later that afternoon, RCMP officers with the Thompson General Investigative Section (GIS) executed a search warrant at a residence located on Brandon Crescent in the City of Thompson.
The search of the property led to the seizure of approximately 110 grams of crack cocaine, $1500 in cash, over 800 illicit pills and other drug-related paraphernalia.
Noah Rambarran, 21, from North York, ON, was remanded into custody on charges including Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. A 28-year-old female, from Thompson, was released for court scheduled for November 22, 2024, where she will face charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.
Six Nations Chiefs capture eighth Mann Cup championship
BY SAM LASKARIS LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINDSPEAKER.COM
The Six Nations Chiefs’ management has a knack for finding and signing some of the world’s best box lacrosse players.
Case in point is Eli McLaughlin, who is from Surrey, B.C.
The Chiefs convinced McLaughlin to sign with their club for the 2024 season. The move paid off handsomely as McLaughlin was able to help the Six Nations squad defend its Mann Cup, the national Senior A championship.
McLaughlin scored five goals on Sept. 11 to lead the hometown Chiefs to a 13-9 victory over the visiting Victoria Shamrocks in a match held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario.
With that victory the Chiefs captured their bestof-seven Mann Cup series against British Columbia-based Shamrocks 4-1.
For Six Nations this marked the eighth time in franchise history that it had won the Mann Cup.
But for McLaughlin, who is 31, it was his first championship.
The Chiefs’ roster is stacked with numerous all-stars – many of them are Indigenous–who also play professionally in the National Lacrosse League. And since it was hosting this year’s Mann Cup, the Six Nations club, which won its 2023 national title in New Westminster, B.C., was favoured to repeat.
“They say sometimes the ones you’re expected to win are the hardest,” McLaughlin said after the Chiefs’ Game 5 triumph, adding it was a re -
lief to wrap up the series.
“Everyone had us winning that one and sometimes you can get into your own head that we really should be really pounding these guys. But they’re a great team.”
The Shamrocks had managed to win the series opener on Sept. 6. But Six Nations rebounded to capture the series by stringing together four consecutive victories.
“I came here for this one reason and this one reason only,” McLaughlin said.
“It seems all the hard work paid off.”
McLaughlin began the 2023 season with British Columbia’s Burnaby Lakers. A mid-season trade, however, brought him to Ontario to join the Peterborough Lakers.
But he then was offered an opportunity to join the Chiefs for their 2024 season.
“It’s hard to pass up with this roster,” he said of the offer to join the Six Nations club.
Chiefs’ head coach John Tavares was pleased to have McLaughlin in his lineup this year. And he wasn’t surprised to see him play a significant role in the final match of the series.
“I think when the team is down Eli seems to be picking it up every game,” Tavares said. “Today he happened to be on fire. He’s been playing well all series. Like I said when things are flat he just kind of seems to pick up the speed and the tempo for the offence. He was a huge part of our season. And he’s a huge part of tonight’s win.”
While the Chiefs had an older squad with numer-
ous players having plenty of experience in the pro ranks and at world championships, the youthful Shamrocks utilized their legs to stay in the series.
“Victoria did a great job,” Tavares said. “But guys persevered. And it was nice to win it here, in front of our fans and community. Lacrosse is a big part of Six Nations and it was nice bringing home the Mann Cup to them.”
Besides having won back-to-back national titles now, the Chiefs also captured the Mann Cup three straight years from 1994-96, won two consecutive crowns in 2013 and ’14 and also in 2016.
Chiefs’ captain Cody Jamieson has now been part of five of those Mann Cup winning teams.
“Any time you can bring something back to your community, it’s very, very special,” Jamieson said. Jamieson was undoubtedly proud Six Nations members were able to witness the Chiefs’ national successes first-hand this year.
“This is what we play for this community for,” he said. “Me being from here means that much more. But the guys that we bring in, they feel the love, they see the love.”
Though winning the Mann Cup anywhere is a special moment, Duane Jacobs, the Chiefs’ general manager and assistant coach, also agreed capturing the national title in Six Nations created additional pleasure.
“This is an amazing crowd,” Jacobs said. “It’s the most packed I’ve ever seen it in here. And it’s really special to win it here in Grand River territory.”
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RCMP photos