May 1 2020 by Nickel Belt News

Nickel Belt News Volume 60 • Issue 18

Friday, May 1, 2020

Thompson, Manitoba

Serving the Norman Region since 1961

Arrival of new cooks at Keeyask at odds with Manitoba Hydro’s plans and Northern Manitoba travel ban, MP says

BY IAN GRAHAM

EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

Northern Manitoba MP Niki Ashton says Manitoba Hydro should reassess a plan to bring 10 new cooks into the Keeyask generating station work camp in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Workers at the site and First Nations partners in the area near Gillam were informed April 19 that the cooks would be arriving, despite the Crown corporation having said that employees would not be coming and going from the site, where

about 600 people voluntarily remained behind, as of March 21. “This is not in line with Manitoba Hydro’s clear commitment to ensure safety at their site by prohibiting new staff to enter,” said Ashton in an April 20 letter to Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin. “This recent announcement has created major concerns among workers in the camp and First Nations who were willing to recognize Hydro’s previous efforts.” Chief Doreen Spence of

Tataskeweyak Cree Nation at Split Lake, one of four First Nations in the area of the under-construction generating station, told the Winnipeg Free Press that she didn’t like the idea of Manitoba Hydro dictating to them about what they consider safe. The Free Press also reported that Keeyask reopened its gym April 11 and its dining room on April 14, with seating restrictions in place. The bar will be reopened soon if resources allow, according to a daily safety notice sent to

employees, some of whom, along with contractors, contacted the Free Press with their concerns. The new cooks, who work for Sodexo, will not be quarantined, Hydro reportedly informed workers, because they are needed to replace cafeteria staff who have left. They will have their temperatures taken and fill out health surveys at the start of their shifts for two weeks after their arrival. Manitoba Hydro told the Free Press that the Northern Regional Health Authority approved of the company’s

protocols and that all Manitoba Health guidelines were being followed to protect workers and contractors as well as residents of nearby communities. “Communities across our region are aware of the heightened risk of a COVID-19 spread through work camps and back into communities,” Ashton said in her letter the chief public health officer. “We are hearing news of infections in camps and mines in northern regions of the country. Our region cannot afford one infection

and that is why calls for temporary shutdowns must be respected. The travel restriction [into Northern Manitoba, which took effect April 17 and lasts until at least May 1] will do nothing to prevent the virus spreading in work camps and mines across our region that require contractors to continue operations. I therefore would ask your teams to reassess the current exemptions especially in light of this current situation and respect the calls for temporary shutdowns, including at Keeyask.”

God’s Lake First Nation member shot and killed by Winnipeg police April 18 was third Indigenous fatality from police shooting in 10 days

AMC grand chief says gaps in Manitoba Police Services Act may be contributing factors to these incidents BY IAN GRAHAM

EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

A 22-year-old man originally from God’s Lake First Nation in Northern Manitoba was shot and killed by Winnipeg police April 18, the third Indigenous person to die in a police shooting in the city in the span of 10 days. The Winnipeg Police Service said officers responded to a call around 4 a.m. from a resident of Adsum Drive who said he was taking his garbage out when two armed men confronted him and demanded money. He was assaulted by the men but fled and called 911. A second call to police said windows were being broken at an Adsum Drive apartment building. Police located two male suspects, which is when an officer fired their weapon. One of the men, since identified as 22-year-old Stewart Andrews, received emergency first aid from police and was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The other person, a 16-year-old male, was treated in hospital for minor injuries. He was charged April 19 with rob-

bery, use of an imitation weapon while committing a indictable offence, possessing a weapon, possessing a firearm, pointing a firearm, possessing a weapon/firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order and two counts of failing to comply with a sentence. He was detained in custody. The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU), which investigates all serious matters involving on- and off-duty police in Manitoba, took over the investigation and deployed investigators to the scene. Because the incident involved a fatality, a request to the Manitoba Police Commission for a civilian monitor was made. Andrews’s sister Alexcia Andrews told CBC that her brother recently became a father and was raising that child and two others along with his girlfriend and that he was also a loving grandson who would do anything for his grandparents. Earlier in April, Winnipeg police shot and killed 16-year-old Eisha Hudson during what they called a chase that began when a group of teenagers robbed

a Liquor Mart. Less than 12 hours later, 36-year-old Jason Collins was shot by police responding to a domestic violence call. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) said in an April 21 statement that the Manitoba Police Commission should investigate the structural causes that contributed to these Indigenous people’s deaths. “Contrary to Danny Smyth, the Winnipeg Police Service’s chief of police, this loss of the lives of First Nations people by the WPS are not an ‘anomaly,’” said AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas in a press release. “Over the years, First Nations have been dehumanized, mistreated and have been killed through WPS officer involved shootings since before the J.J. Harper incident and the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry (AJI) in 1991. The scales of justice for First Nations in Winnipeg continue to be broken and need to be fixed immediately. The AMC does not have confidence in the Manitoba Independent Investigation Unit to conduct a full and complete investigation and disclosure of all

UP-TO-THE-MINUTE CORONAVIRUS UPDATES AT thompsoncitizen.net/covid-19

Thompson Citizen photo by Ian Graham Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas, seen here in Thompson March 2, says that three police shootings of Indigenous people by Winnipeg police in a 10-day span are not an anomaly. the circumstances surrounding each of these shootings. In light of this, the AMC is calling on the civilian oversight committee, the Manitoba Police Commission, to work with the AMC to develop a terms of refer-

ence, as well as assisting to retain an investigator under its mandate to investigate the Winnipeg Police Board for its monitoring of the relationship between First Nations and the WPS. The AMC also recommends that this investigation look into the legislative gaps in the Manitoba Police Services Act that may be contributing factors to the deaths of these three young people and the ongoing race-based violence experienced by First Nations within the City of Winnipeg.” Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand

Chief Garrison Settee said in an April 25 press release that MKO extended condolences to the families of Andrews and the others killed in Winnipeg police shootings, even though they do not condone the alleged crimes associated with the incidents. “The police-involved shootings require a thorough investigation,” said Settee. “I urge the Winnipeg Police Service to take a good look at what is happening within their ranks and to work closely with Indigenous leaders to ensure we resolve these serious issues by working together.”

Page Page B-2 4 • News

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Friday,March May 1, Friday, 16,2020 2018

Unusually high rain, reduction of beaver control program factors in washout where train derailed in 2018: TSB BY IAN GRAHAM

EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

It took more than seven hours for emergency medical personnel to arrive on the scene of a Hudson Bay Railway freight train derailment near Ponton in September 2018 because they needed to ensure the scene was safe because the train was transporting dangerous goods, a Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation report released April 23 says. A conductor who was one of two crew members trapped in one of the train’s locomotives died a little more than an hour after Thompson Fire & Emergency Services (TFES) personnel arrived at the scene, about 15 kilometres southwest of Highway 6 south of Ponton. The other crew member, the locomotive engineer, was extricated from the wreckage shortly afterwards and taken by helicopter to Thompson General Hospital in critical condition. The train was travelling about 40 kilometres per hour when it hit a 50-foot section of track where the rail bed had washed out. Because the rails and ties were still in place, the engineer did not apply the emergency

brake before the derailment occurred because he could not see that the rail bed had washed away. The section of track where the three locomotives and four other cars derailed had been inspected two days before the Sept. 15, 2018 accident. At that time, the rail bed was still intact. The cause of the washout was the breach of beaver dams upstream and east of the rail line, which increased the flow and volume of water accumulating just east of and immediately adjacent to the site where the accident occurred. This increased hydraulic pressure on the raised sand-based fill under the track, saturating it and washing it away along with two wood box culverts through which water normally flowed. The force of the water carried timbers from the box culverts, which had been identified for replacement, as far as 1,000 feet downstream of their original location, the TSB said. Precipitation in the summer of 2018 was about 60 per cent higher than the historical average. The derailment occurred around 4:30 p.m. and was spotted by a helicopter pilot picking up surveyors in the area about an hour later. Be-

cause the accident occurred in an area where train crews were not required by HBR policy to check in at regular intervals, the accident might not have been noticed until the train failed to show up at Wabowden around 6 p.m. if not for the helicopter. Previous railway owner OmniTrax had engaged in a beaver dam removal project along the railway a few years before the accident, but abandoned it in 2017 when flooding north of Gillam led to the company shutting down rail service on the line. The railway and the Port of Churchill had been purchased by the Arctic Gateway Group less than a month before the accident occurred. The TSB also said that track inspectors and supervisors employed by HBR had not received any geotechnical training since OmniTrax purchased the rail line in 1997, nor prior to that, and were not fully aware of the potential consequences of uneven ponding against the rail bed and how this could affect soil stability. The location of the accident slowed emergency responders from arriving at the scene. An attempt to travel to the site using all-terrain vehicles failed

Garden Hill First Nation man dies in snowmobile collision A 31-year-old man from Garden Hill First Nation died in a snowmobile collision sometime on the night of April 23 or morning of April 24. Island Lake RCMP received a report about the collision

on the shores of Bella Lake in Garden Hill First Nation around 9:30 a.m. last Friday. Community members had located the snowmobile and the rider. It is believed the man, who was pro-

nounced dead at the scene, hit a large snowbank, collided with a tree and was thrown from the snowmobile. He was not wearing a helmet at the time. RCMP continue investigating.

Spiritual Thoughts

educentr.dumont@gmail.com Sister Andrea Dumont

Nickel Belt News photo courtesy of Transportation Safety Board of Canada A photo of the site south of Ponton where a Hudson Bay Railway train derailed Sept. 15, 2018. The yellow lines and arrows indicate the high water line and flow direction of water pooled next to the track that washed out a 50-foot section of the rail bed in the two days between the previous inspection of the track and the fatal accident. when they sustained flat tires and they were eventually transported to the site on an HBR hi-rail truck that initially travelled in the wrong direction, towards Wabowden, before turning around and heading to the accident site west of Highway 6 south of Ponton. Equipment used in the extrication of the crew members who were pinned in the

locomotive cab had limited effectiveness when cutting the heavy-gauge steel used in locomotive construction. The TSB also said that HBR’s emergency response plan did not set forth any processes or procedures for responding to a train derailment, particularly one that involved dangerous goods and employee injuries/fatalities, occurring in a remote

location.Since the accident, HBR has inspected all culverts on all its railway subdivisions and initiated a more comprehensive beaver control program. It has also updated its emergency response plan and modified its communications policy to require crews to check in with rail traffic controllers every hour when travelling in remote areas.

Charter planes transporting federal nursing MLA Report station staff to remote First Nations to kelly.bindle.mla.offi ce@gmail.com Constituency Office: reduce coronavirus exposure risk Unit 3-40 Moak Crescent BY IAN GRAHAM

EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

Thompson, MB R8N 2B7 204-677-2066

Kelly Bindle A charter plane bearing the colours of the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes flew into Manitoba airspace last week, but the team onboard consisted of nurses rather than athletes. The Nolinor Aviation plane was bringing 46 nursing professionals to nursing Nickel Belt News photo courtesy of Nolinor Aviation stations in 23 fly-in First Nations communities south A Nolinor Aviation plane decked out in the colours and logo of the 60th parallel in north- of the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes touched down in northern ern Ontario and Manitoba, Ontario and then Winnipeg last week carrying nursing stasaid an Indigenous Services tion staff bound for fly-in First Nations in those provinces. Canada spokesperson. The LON CONSTITUENCY MLA FOR FLIN FLON CONSTITUENCY last stages of the journeys of transmitting COVID-19, using longer four-week rofor the health care workers, the spokesperson said. This tations to minimize staff part of the normal staffing practice enables passengers turnover and protect the REPRESENTING: Brochet, Cold Lake/Sherridon, complement for the nursing to board at exclusive ter- health and safety of people stations in the Manitoba and minals where strict health living in these communities. Cranberry Portage, Cross Lake, Flin Flon, Ontario communities, were and safety procedures are Quebec-based Nolinor Herb Lake Landing, Lac Brochet, Leaf Rapids, on charter flights by airlines enforced, which is not eas- Aviation president Marco Lynn Lake, Norway House, Pukatawagan, that already serve those ily done at major airport Prud’homme told the Nickel destinations. Once staffing terminals where most com- Belt News that the plane is Snow Lake, South Indian Lake, Tadoule Lake schedules are adjusted, this mercial flights arrive and adorned with the Alouettes approach will be used for depart. logo because the company Constituency Office: all First Nations south of Prior to the deployment sometime provides charter B.93 Main Street, Flin Flon, MB. the 60th parallel where In- to the 23 First Nations, services to the CFL team, pm HOURS: Mon–Fri, 9 am – 4 pm digenous Services Canada all nurses and other med- but it also has contracts Thompson employs nursing staff for ical professionals had RCMP to to transport federally conPHONE: 204-687-3246 the duration of the novel self-isolate at home for tracted medical personnel, Drug Tip Line FAX: 204-687-5649 coronavirus pandemic to two weeks and self-screen prison system employees ensure continuity of service their health status. Indigen- and sometimes Coast Guard EMAIL: anitoba.ca EMAIL:tom.lindsey@yourmanitoba.ca tom.lindsey@yourmanitoba.ca while minimizing the risk ous Services Canada is also staff.

NDSEY TOMLINDSEY

204-677-6995

Nickel Belt News

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Friday, May 1, 2020

Nickel Belt News • www.thompsoncitizen.net

Columnists • Page B-3

Northerners need to be told exact locations of COVID-19 cases Our province, as is the case across all jurisdictions in Canada, has drastically adapted its operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in a short period of time. As of Thursday, April 23, there has been a total of 262 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba. So far, there has been a total of three positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Northern Manitoba. There have been calls for the Manitoba public health

officials to disclose the number of COVID-19 cases by community and to increase testing in Northern Manitoba. However, the province is adamant about not making this kind of commitment to Northern communities. This is a time when Northerners need to know that they can count on their government. Northerners are concerned about the reluctance of the provincial government to name COVID-19 cases by community. This is problematic because its pro-

MLA Report Danielle.Adams@leg.gov.mb.ca

Danielle Adams

motes high levels of unease and anxiety in the North. Many in our communities are left with uncertainty and more susceptible to latch on to rumours about locations of these confirmed cases.

We urge the government to take this concern into consideration and name the communities that have confirmed cases. As evidently shown, this is a public health issue and

our communities need to be aware of exact areas where positive cases are found while they continue to observe the outlined precautions. In addition, the NDP has also made demands for public reporting: • of the number of completed tests per screening site to keep Manitobans informed; • on the number of swabs done for COVID-19 by site; and • of tests still awaiting

results as is done in other jurisdictions, such as Ontario. If you have concerns regarding COVID-19 or suspect that you are presenting symptoms call Health Links at 204-788-8200 or 1-888315-9257 toll-free or access their screening tool at https:// sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/ screening-tool/. Also, feel free to email me at Danielle.adams@yourmanitoba.com or contact my office at 204-677-2744 for any questions or concerns.

Provincial government slow to provide direct financial relief for Manitoba families and small businesses

Tom Lindsey

ments in research, it has been slow to announce immediate direct financial relief Manitobans. In fact, Manitoba is the only provincial government that has not provided any direct financial assistance to families nor small businesses amid these uncertain times. This is very disheartening, as we should be looking at the effective solutions taken by other jurisdictions to help citizens and follow suit sooner rather than later. Many of our local business may not survive without some assistance from our provincial government. People who are already struggling may now be getting overwhelmed by debt and despair. It is time for the Pallister government to start caring about people. We had an emergency

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ployed. While necessity may be the mother of invention, we need to ensure the future we invent will look brighter for everyone. While the office is closed we continue to work from home and can be reached by email at Flinflon1@yourmanitoba.ca or Tom.Lindsey@yourmanitoba.ca or by calling 1-204-687-3246.

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As this virus maintains its presence in our province better reporting must be done to keep our northern communities informed about the cases. Reports on northern cases of the virus have remained general by only specifying a number and health authority (e.g. Northern Regional Health Authority) rather than stating a specific community. Whereas, in southern regions information has been much clearer on cases in Winnipeg and Selkirk. The lack of clarification in the north has led to rumours and speculations in the absence of fact. However, more information for people in the north will be beneficial, because with the necessary details people can react accordingly. While the government has made some invest-

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water in many of our northern communities. We must work together to prevent the virus from getting a foothold in our north. This period has been a time that may fundamentally change the way we do things post-pandemic. For example, changes in how we shop, how we work or where we remain em-

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Flin Flon MLA Report

sitting of the Manitoba pandemic. legislature on April 15 There have now been to deal with COVID-19 additional restrictions related legislation. Un- placed on travel north of the fortunately, none of these 53 parallel and while some bills dealt with immediate may find this disruptive, financial relief for Mani- we need to recognize the tobans and the government challenges to health care initially tried to slip in and throughout the north. There ram through all their other is a shortage of intensive harmful legislation that care beds throughout our would have affected us all region, a shortage of medfor years to come. These ical staff in all of our combills included Bill 44 – The munities and overcrowding Public Utilities Ratepayer and lack of access to clean Protection and Regulatory Reform Act, which would have allowed the government to increase hydro and MPI rates without CLASSIFIED@ independent oversight;\, THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET and Bill 8 – The Pensions Benefits Amendment Act, which weakens pensions during these difficult financial times. We were 301• HELP WANTED successful in putting a stop to this and the sitting was spent dealing with QUIZNOS THOMPSON is looking for two full-time shift managers. ExperiCOVID-19 Friday, Marchspecific 16, 2018bills. ence in the same industry will be an As the Official Opposition asset. Minimum education required we managed to make sev- is a bachelor degree or equivalent. eral amendments to those Valid driver’s licence required. Interbills to better reflect the ested candidates please drop off your resume at Quiznos Sub, 50 Selkirk needs of Manitobans. We Avenue, Thompson, Manitoba, R8N will continue to work to 0M7 or emailvijay.ralhan@outlook. CLASSIFIED@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET convince the government com. 10nb -8-17 to help people and small 510 • RETAIL/ business to survive this

Midget AA King M Track themgame down to win next online. championship h You can now purchase your Manitoba hunting and fishing licences and park vehicle permits online or call toll free: 1-877-880-1203.

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HIRING seem to be taking a cut and cerned because the numBY NICOLE WONG, of COVID-19 cases in clash agenda and trying to berEXPERIENCED LOCAL JOURNALISM push through their narra- Northern Manitoba has been INITIATIVE REPORTER, E-Licensing Campaign Phase 2 ad PLUMBERS tive under the guise of the low, and that the province WINNIPEG SUN Thompson Nickel Belt News that they remain Ad size: 2 cols (3.17") wide x 70 lines A leader in Northern COVID-19 crisis which is is banking Requires driver’s licence. Manitoba believes that the not what needs to be done.” low.Please send resume: Adams added that the “The government should province should do more mrplumb@mts.net R FLIN FLON CONST MLA FOR FLIN FLON CONSTITUENCY more to prevent to support their residents austerity measures the be doing 204-677-2013 during the COVID-19 province implemented are these cases from happening 2nb-tfn-nb creating a negative impact instead of being reactive. pandemic. “They should also be Thompson NDP MLA in Northern Manitoba. Thank you to all who normally volunteer “This is happening at more transparent and indiDanielle Adams said the in our communities and a special thanks within the region government should expand a time when we need the cate where 183 Cree Rd, Thompson MB, R8N 0C2 to all who are volunteering during these are1-800-565-2401 COVID-19 cases the testing parameters as government to be investing. there Toll free: PH: 204-778-8387 FAX: 204-677-4087 well as adding more testing Instead of providing finan- so officials and community trying times. Looking can for 1 full 1 gotime andand make sites to make it easier for cial support for Manitobans, members cook starting wage especially northerners, they the part besttime choices for them,” people to get tested. $14.00/hr with experience “This should have been are cutting jobs,” she said. she said. Offi ce: Constituency Office: preferred. “Job sharing does not ne— Nicole Wong covers happening yesterday,” she Apply at the front desk et, Flin cessarily Flon, MB.93 Main Street, Flin Flon, MB. make a reality in northern and Indigenous said April 20. “The north –Fri, 9 am – 4 pm HOURS: Mon–Fri, 9 am – 4 pm Sun needs the government to the north. You cannot ask issues for the Winnipeg somebody in Winnipeg to under the Local Journalism step up and show leader687-3246 PHONE: 204-687-3246 ship as well as providing job share for Thompson. Initiative, a federally funded 183 Cree Rd, Thompson MB, R8N 0C2 the 7-5649 FAX: 204-687-5649 That just doesn’t work,” program that supports financial support. Toll free: 1-800-565-2401 PH: 204-778-8387 creation of 204-677-4087 original civic “The government has she added. FAX: EMAIL: ndsey@yourmanitoba.ca EMAIL:tom.lindsey@yourmanitoba.ca tom.lindsey@yourmanitoba.ca Adams said she is con- journalism. not been doing that. They

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Page B-4 • Careers

Nickel Belt News • www.thompsoncitizen.net

Opaskwayak Health Authority Beatrice Wilson Health Centre

Employment Opportunities Opaskwayak Health Authority is seeking qualified individuals to fill the following positions: • Van Driver – Non Insured Health Benefits, Opioid Replacement Therapy & Jordan’s Principle (2 full-time, 1 part-time) • Behavioural Health Clinician – Community Wellness (4 pos) • Behavioural Health Facilitator – Mental Wellness • Nurse Practitioner – Clinical & Primary Care • Midwife – Maternal Child Health (2 pos) These are preference competitions. All applicants are encouraged to apply, however first consideration for this competition will be given to current OCN employees, OCN members & Indigenous applicants. Applicants are requested to self-declare at the time of application. All positions are open until filled. Please contact us to obtain a complete job posting prior to applying. Carol A. Buchberger, Human Resource Manager Opaskwayak Health Authority Box 10280, 245 Waller Road, Opaskwayak, MB R0B 2J0 Email: carol.buchberger@ocnhealth.com Please mark all correspondence “CONFIDENTIAL” Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Friday, May 1, 2020

Northern Manitoba travel ban welcomed by community leaders BY NICOLE WONG, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

Leaders in Northern Manitoba communities are thankful for the travel restrictions placed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Manitoba’s chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin issued a ban April 16 for non-essential travel to northern and remote communities until May 1, starting on April 17. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Garrison Settee said this

ban is an important measure to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus to First Nations in Northern Manitoba. “On behalf of MKO, I send my thanks to Dr. Roussin as well as the province of Manitoba for ensuring this measure is put into place,” Settee said. “We currently have no cases of COVID-19 in our MKO First Nations and our leaders are doing everything within their power to prevent the introduction of this virus into our communities.” Settee added that the northern First Nations are particu-

larly vulnerable to this virus as they lack health-care infrastructure, have understaffed nursing stations and lack housing that would better implement safety measures. Flin Flon NDP MLA Tom Lindsey told the Winnipeg Sun April 17 that he believes that the restrictions were necessary due to the contagion of COVID-19. “So many of our northern communities do not have access to decent medical services. A lot of the more remote communities have a nursing station but they do not have a hospital,” he said. “Even in Flin Flon, our hospital is so restricted in what it can do and the number of doctors we have.” Lindsey said he thinks people living in Northern Manitoba have to do more than is expected of them because of the limited medical services. Thompson NDP MLA Danielle Adams said the restrictions were a welcome announcement that needed to be in place to protect the people in Northern Manitoba. “It was a great first step but now we need the government to continue listening to northerners and do more testing, including adding more testing sites,” Adams said. “They also need to an-

nounce where COVID-19 is in the north so communities can make choices that work best for them.” Adams added that she encourages the people in Northern Manitoba to contact her office if they are struggling to work or return home because of the travel restrictions. The Pas NDP MLAAmanda Lathlin said the restrictions should have come much earlier in regards to protecting Northern Manitoba from the virus. “This will have a positive impact in the community especially with our most vulnerable, which happens to be the First Nation communities. It will provide more security with the people because they are already worried about the health-care system here,” she said. “If we start having people test positive here, our people have to be flown out to Winnipeg for their intensive care unit beds, so this provides a side relief whereby at least there are other components to protect the communities in Northern Manitoba.” — Nicole Wong covers northern and Indigenous issues for the Winnipeg Sun under the Local Journalism Initiative, a federally funded program that supports the creation of original civic journalism.

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