Nickel Belt News Volume 61 • Issue 9
Friday, March 5, 2021
Thompson, Manitoba
Serving the Norman Region since 1961
Planned school fitness centre in Leaf Rapids intended to benefit students, staff and the greater community
Nickel Belt News photo courtesy of Arif Kassum, Frontier School Division
Leaf Rapids Education Centre BY IAN GRAHAM
EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
Leaf Rapids Education Centre is embarking on the first phase of a project that it hopes will improve the overall health of students and staff and eventually the community as a whole. The school of 160 students in a community of about 600 people 235 kilometres northeast of Thompson is developing a gym as the first stage of a three-phase project that aspires to include a nutrition program and a cultural centre as well. The first phase is being supported by a $2,000 Share2Care grant from
PHE [Physical and Health Education] Canada and The Co-operators. LREC was one of only seven schools across Canada to receive the grant from among 199 who applied. “With this grant and the support of our school division, we have a kickstart for phase one of the project,” says Gerard Dillman of LREC, chair of the committee working towards making the fitness and wellness centre a reality. Students at LREC, which includes all grades from kindergarten to Grade 12 and is located in the Leaf Rapids town centre complex, say they look forward
to having a workout space and eventually more. “It will be really helpful for everyone who wants to practise for Frontier Games, who wants to get fit, who wants to run a marathon,” said Devin Wilson. For Payton Halcrow, who played on the volleyball team at Frontier Collegiate Institute in Cranberry Portage last year before attending school at home in Leaf Rapids this year, the lack of activities for youth in Leaf Rapids is a problem. “There is not really much here in town, not much for kids to do,” she said. “There’s a lack of extracurricular activities and I
Cross Lake residents busted for bootlegging and selling marijuana A man and a woman from Cross Lake are facing charges for bootlegging and selling marijuana after RCMP searched a residence in the community Feb. 26. Assisted by members of the Thompson RCMP General Investigative Section, Cross Lake RCMP executed a Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act (LGCCA) search warrant at an Evans Road residence on
Friday, seizing alcohol, cannabis, cash and items used for drug trafficking. The man, 29, and woman 28, are scheduled to appear in court in Cross Lake on June 18 on charges of unauthorized sale of of liquor under the LGCCA and possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling under the Cannabis act. RCMP continue to investigate.
Alcohol and marijuana were seized when Cross Lake RCMP executed a search warrant on Feb. 26. RCMP photo
feel like this causes some youth to find other things to fill up their day such as drinking, doing drugs, vandalizing property or breaking and entering. This problem is very real in our town.” LREC principal Daniel Currie says the fitness centre will foster positive mental wellness, which he thinks could improve student attendance, while benefitting staff as well. “This amenity could attract new teachers and staff and retain present teachers and staff,” he said. The goal is to make the centre accessible to the whole community for free
“Our complex is part of a larger mall structure so there is good access to the community once the site is fully functional,” Dillman said. Ryan Fahey, lead for special projects and campaigns at PHE Canada, which seeks to inspires children and youth to live healthy, physically active lives, said LREC’s application impressed the organization immediately. “From day one it was almost unanimous across our review team that this initiative had all the ingredients of a promising practice that not only needed to be shared but needed to be
funded,” he said. The committee had hoped the grant application would be successful but weren’t really sure if it would until they were notified. “You have hope but you’re also realistic,” says Dillman. In addition to the grant and Frontier School Division’s equipment budget for LREC, the committee will seek more funding from provincial and national charities to support the project as well as doing their own fundraising. “We’re in it to win it and I’m sure we’ll find multiple sources to make this vision happen,” Dillman said.
Page Page B-2 4 • News
Nickel Belt Nickel BeltNews News••www.thompsoncitizen.net www.thompsoncitizen.net
Friday, Friday,March March 5, 16,2021 2018
First Nations receiving second doses of Moderna vaccine, being urged to prepare Spiritual for more vaccine supplies next month Thoughts
educentr.dumont@gmail.com
Manitoba First Nations have begun receiving their second doses of Moderna vaccine to immunize on-reserve residents who received their first doses in January and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) says it is pleased that First Nations people 70 and older can now make vaccination appointments. 5,300 second doses of the Moderna vaccine started getting distributed to Manitoba First Nations Feb. 16 and the goal is to have communities receive their second doses as close as possible to 28 days after they got their first shipments. First Nations leaders are also being advised to prepare for a surge in the amount of available vaccine in mid-March and to plan for how to ramp up operations to get members vaccinated. “Earlier this week I wrote to the premier of Manitoba to let him know that continued collaboration in the fight against COVID-19 is necessary,” said MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee in a Feb. 25 news release. “While our provincial partners have made assurances to be transparent to First Nations, offering better communication of current and anticipated vaccine supplies for both First Nations and Manitoba, MKO will continue to work closely with the provincial government and hold them accountable regarding the vaccine rollout. We are also aiming to work closely
with the federal government on vaccine planning and have once again requested a seat for our health expert Dr. Barry Lavallee at the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations.” MKO says that the Thompson Vaxport immunization site by the airport won’t open until late March, about three weeks after it was previously scheduled to be, but that people receiving vaccines who would have gone to Vaxport will be immunized at the Thompson Regional Community Centre supersite beginning next week while Vaxport undergoes renovations. A medical advisor to MKO says that while COVID-19 case numbers in Northern Manitoba are beginning to improve, the threat of outbreaks remains. “Access to the COVID-19 vaccines remains top of mind as we near the one-year anniversary of living with the COVID-19 virus,” said Dr. Michael Routledge of MKO health organization Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin. ‘”We encourage everyone to become informed about the vaccine and to strongly consider accepting your vaccine once you become eligible.” Vaccine eligibility was also expanded to any Manitoban aged 95 or older this week. Appointments can be made by eligible recipients or their family members or caregivers by calling 1-844-626-8222 (MANVACC).
Sister Andrea Dumont
MLA Report
kelly.bindle.mla.office@gmail.com Constituency Office: Unit 3-40 Moak Crescent Government of2B7 Manitoba Thompson, MB R8N 204-677-2066
Work to remediate abandoned Ruttan Mine near Leaf Rapids about 30 per cent complete, province says Kelly Bindle
About 30 per cent of a $45-million project to remediate the abandoned Ruttan Mine site east of Leaf Rapids has been completed and the rest is scheduled to take place in the fall of 2022, the provincial government says. Ruttan Mine operated for 30 years until its closure in 2002, and remediation work is being done by Dupahin-based Strilkiwski Contracting Ltd., which is collecting contaminated water, improving drainage and diverting clean water away from the site. “Our government has made a significant commitment to clean up contaminated and orphaned mines, for the environment and for the protection of Manitobans, and this is a strong step toward that goal,” said Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard in a March 1 press release.
“Work is well underway at Ruttan, one of several such sites that we are targeting for remediation across the province.” The project also involves ensuring that all contaminated water at the mine site is directed into the open pit, where it will be treated before it is discharged into the environment. It is estimated that 5.5 million cubic metres of water at the site will need to be treated every year for five years. “The SCL Project Team and dedicated employees are very pleased to be involved in this major endeavour,” said Strilkiwski Contracting president Gerald Strilkiwski. “It will create a positive effect on the environment while contributing a much-needed boost to the local economy by providing jobs to local and Indigenous workers and businesses.”
Nickel Belt News
Published weekly by The Prairie Newspaper Group LP, a division of GVIC Communications Corp. of 141 Commercial Place, Thompson, Manitoba, R8N 1T1. The Nickel Belt News is owned and operated by The Prairie Newspaper Group LP, a division of GVIC Communications Corp. Advertising rates are available upon request and are subject to change
The abandoned Ruttan Mine site east of Leaf Rapids.
Nickel Belt News photo courtesy of Vertex
Thompson RCMP
60 per cent of the covering material has been hauled and placed. The government is seeking proposals for water treatment and
long-term surveillance at the provincial governTip Line the mineDrug site. ment in 2000 to deal with The Abandoned Mine 149 former mine sites Site Rehabilitation Pro- identified as orphaned or gram was established by abandoned.
without notice. Conditions of editorial and advertisement content: The Nickel Belt News attempts to be accurate in editorial and advertising content; however no guarantee is given or implied. The Nickel Belt News reserves the right to revise or reject any or all editorial and advertising content as the newspaper’s principals see t. The Nickel Belt News will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an advertisement, and is not responsible for errors or omissions in advertisements except for the space occupied by such errors. The Nickel Belt News will not be responsible for manuscripts, photographs, negatives and other related material that may be submitted
for possible publication. All of the Nickel Belt News’s content is protected by Canadian Copyright laws. Reviews and similar mention of material in this newspaper is granted on the provision that the Nickel Belt News receives credit. Otherwise, any reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Advertisers purchase space and circulation only. Rights to any advertisements produced by the Nickel Belt News, including artwork, typography, photos, etc., remain the property of this newspaper. Advertisements or parts thereof may not be reproduced or assigned without the consent of the publisher.
Covering exposed mine tailings in tailings management areas is also part of the work being performed. The province says about
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CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES WORKER – PERMANENT POSITION Lynn Lake Sub-Office Lynn Lake, Manitoba Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency is situated on Opaskwayak Cree Nation and is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of Child and Family Services Under a provincial mandate, the Agency services the Swampy Cree communities, as well as Flin Flon, Thompson, Swan River, Winnipeg and Lynn Lake/Marcel Colomb First Nation. Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency is dedicated to providing comprehensive CFS Services that are community-based and incorporate both protection and prevention services. Our agency will strive to maintain family unity. POSITION SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Unit Supervisor(s), the Child & Family Service Worker is responsible for providing and administering CFS Services in accordance with the Child & Family Services Act. RESPONSIBILITIES: § Responsible for gathering information and assessing family functioning problems § Develop and implement intervention plans within program guidelines for families within program guidelines and provide referrals, support, guidance and problem solving § Provides for the placement, case management and ongoing support for children in care § Responsible for all file documentation and ensuring services are applied § Case Monitoring, Risk Assessment & Follow up QUALIFICATIONS § Work experience in Child and Family Services with demonstrated knowledge of child development, family centered service, early intervention, family support and community-based services § Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or related undergraduate degree in Human Services (preferred) § Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred) § Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills § Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act and provincial standards § Ability to use a variety of computer applications including CFSIS and FACTS CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT § Must pass a criminal records check, child abuse and prior check § Cannot be active on a protection case § Maintain absolute confidentiality § Varied amounts of travel required § Must have a valid Manitoba driver’s license § Must be able to provide own vehicle for work § Other duties related to the position may be assigned Deadline: March 15, 2021, 2021 @ 4:00 PM
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SUBMIT RESUMES ALONG WITH THREE (3) REFERENCES MARKED “PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL” TO: Human Resource Manager Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency Box 10130, Opaskwayak, MB. R0B 2J0 Fax: 204-623-3847 Email: hr@creenation.ca
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Louisiana-Pacific offers a competitive wage and benefit package in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. LouisianaPacific is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates will be subject to successful completion of comprehensive background and health checks. lottery terminals could BYscreening IAN GRAHAM
We a
Please forward your cover letter and resume to: EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET also reopen for use pro-
Lorraine Schneider Manitoba is considering vided there is at least two Human Resource Generalist significant changes to metres or aI non-permeable Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd. pandemic-related public barrier between them. P.O. Box 189, Minitonas, MB R0L 1G0 health orders beginning as 2104 Places of(866) worship could Phone: (204) 525-2479 Ext. Fax: 678-5969 soon as March 5,: when the also have their capacity e-mail lorraine.schneider@lpcorp.com current set of public health limit increased to 25 per orders expires. cent or 100 participants All of the changes may for regular services, with be brought in at once or masks and physical distanthey may be divided over cing still required. CAREER OPPORTUNITY two phases in a six-week The changes would likeperiod, Manitoba’s chief ly be applied to the whole t $PNQFUJUJWF 4BMBSJFT t 3FMPDBUJPO "TTJTUBODF provincial public health province to avoid people t $POUJOVJOH &EVDBUJPO t 3FNPUFOFTT "MMPXBODF t &YDFMMFOU #FOFöUT officer Dr. Brent Roussin going from a region with >Dental Assistant said at a Feb. 25 news stricter regulations to one 5IPNQTPO (FOFSBM )PTQJUBM o 0QFSBUJOH 3PPN conference. with looser ones, said 1BSU 5JNF '5& 5IFSF XJMM CF BO PQQPSUVOJUZ UP XPSL QBSU UJNF GPS UIF %FOUJTU JO Among the changes Roussin. BEEJUJPO UP UIJT QBSU UJNF QPTJUJPO proposed are allowing It’s too early to concluallUnder businesses except for determine the direct supervision of the Patientsively Care Manager or designate,whether assists multi-disciplinary team personnel in performing a variety of patient movie theatres, concert the loosening ofcare restricactivities and related non-professional services necessary in caring for the halls, casinos and bingo on Feb. position 12 had personal needs and comfort of the patient.tions This is an integrated thatany includes andand scheduling procedures for the Operating halls tocoordination operate to of dental effect on case numbers, Room (OR). This will require expertise in developing and maintaining excellent increase the capacity for Roussin but there’s working relationships with a broad range said of individuals and organizations. The OR Dental Assistant will function within the of thethat Vision,it Mission, businesses and restaunoprovisions evidence contribValues, policies and procedures of the Northern Health Region (NHR) and rants to 50 per cent or uted to a noticeably higher will incorporate NHR core competencies into working practice (Customer/ 250 people, whichever is Diversity number of infections. Client Focused, Initiative & Pro-activity, Awareness, Teamwork, and Collaboration, Development of Self and Others, and Adaptability). lower, though restaurants “We certainly haven’t would still be expected to seen significant spike The incumbent must fulfill the requirements of theaCriminal Records/Vulnerable Person, Child check and Adult Registry and adhere ensure thatAbuse onlyRegistry members in Abuse cases so Icheck, think that’s to all Northern Health Region policies and procedures. of the same household sit reassuring to us,” he said. Qualifications: at t the table. The Most likely, the next set Gradesame 12 education or equivalent t Successfulis completion of a recognizedof Dental Assistant Program requiredwill province also considpublic health orders t Current active practicing registration with Manitoba Dental Association ering allowing households cover a three-week period t Excellent knowledge of Windows based programs (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet) to designate either two from March 5 to March 26. t Minimum three (3) years’ experience as a Dental Assistant required people or one other house“If we start seeing outt Previous experience working with Pediatric cases preferred hold as being allowed t Ability to speak Cree an asset to breaks moving forward in visit them and allowing any of the facilities that we For complete list of qualifications please visit our website www.nrha.ca. group instruction at gyms, open we’ll have to make Please submit resume bycentres, February 2, 2018 to: arenas, fitness changes and draw back the Lori Rasmussen, Recruitment Officer dance studios and music loosening,” Roussin said. 867 Thompson Drive South Thompson, R8N 1Z4 up to and theatreMB facilities “We know that if we just Fax: (204) 778-1477 a maximum of 25 per cent open things up right now Email: recruiteast@nrha.ca capacity. People at gyms, to where we were $BMM VT UPEBZ -PDBM PS 5PMM 'SFF in Ocfitness centres and pools tober there’s a significant Northern RHA has a Representative Workforce Strategy, we encourage all applicants to selfmay also be allowed to not risk that startWe seeing declare. Criminal Record, Child Abuse, & Adult Abuse Registry Checkswe are required. thank all candidates for applying. Only those selected for interview will be contacted. wear masks while particiNovember and December pating in activities. Video [infection] numbers.” www.nrha.ca
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