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An NDP MP from Winnipeg has introduced a bill that looks to criminalize residential school denialism.
MP Leah Gazan called this bill a gift in honor of Truth and Reconciliation, and Orange Shirt Day, commemorating the many children who never returned from residential schools.
The bill proposes that anyone who, other than in private, promotes hatred against Indigenous Peoples by "condoning, denying, downplaying or justifying the Indian residential school system in Canada or by misrepresenting facts related to it" could be subject to two a maximum of two years in jail.
The bill states some possible defences, including if the statements were true, if they are relevant to public interest, if they were intended to point out hatred toward Indigenous Peoples, or if it is a religious opinion.
More than 150,000 children were forced to attend residential schools, with many survivors detailing to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission the abuse they suffered at the hands of those meant to protect them. The last school closed in 1996.
An estimated 6,000 children died in the schools, though experts say the actual number could be much higher.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The provincial government has released it's last quarterly report for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
In this news release, Finance Minister Adrien Sala is quoted as saying “Over the past year, we’ve done a lot of work to put Manitoba back on track.", claiming the NDP were left with a much higher deficit than they expected.
The province’s summary financial position as of March 31, 2024, is a deficit of $1.97 billion, in line with the third quarter update and an increase of $1.6 billion from the projected 2023-24 budget deficit of $363 million.
The final audited results for the 2023-24 fiscal year show a major factor was a drop in revenue from Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro, where dry weather and low water levels turned an expected profit into a loss.
The province also released its first quarter forecast for 2024-25, which provides a forecast to the fiscal year-end as of June 30.
The forecast for fiscal year 2024-25 is a net loss of $796 million, representing no change from Budget 2024. Total revenue is forecast at $23.3 billion while total expenses are forecast at $24.1 billion.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
After nearly 10 months on the run, Astrid Schiller has been arrested.
Schiller was wanted for child abduction after her three sons: Leon, 12, Christopher, 11, and Thomas, 9 were reported missing in late 2023.
Schiller and her sons were Last seen in June at the Boissevain Border Crossing, and She was temporarily detained, but released as her warrant didn't extend to Manitoba at the time.
Again, Schiller and her 3 sons went missing late at night and were not seen again until a report came in from Fort Qu’Appelle that Schiller was spotted in that community.
Officers located Schiller, who was placed under arrest as a result of her Unendorsed Warrant out of Manitoba for Child Abduction.
Her three children were placed into care and are currently in the process of being reunited with family in Ontario.
Astrid Schiller was transported back to Brandon where she was remanded into custody.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Some high praise for Assiniboine College and its efforts surrounding Indigenous Education.
The post-secondary school was presented with a bronze in Indigenous Education earlier this week at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics Congress in Jamaica.
During the 2022-23 school year, Assiniboine offered programs in 34 different locations including rural, remote, and First Nations communities, with 56 per cent of Indigenous graduates representing students from programs delivered in a community-based setting.
Their 2023 Graduate Follow-up Survey showed 92 per cent of Indigenous graduates were employed within six months of graduating, with 97 per cent choosing to live and work in Manitoba after graduation.
The college’s Community Development department works in partnership with Indigenous organizations and nations to address the gaps in educational attainment rates and employment that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Manitoba.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The first of a handful of minor injury and illness clinics in Manitoba officially opens its doors today in Brandon.
The clinic will be staffed by a physician and/or nurse practitioner, nurse, clerk, and other healthcare professionals who will support minor health concerns, including minor injuries.
Some of the areas that will be treated at this clinic include suspected fractures and sprains, abdominal pain, cough and colds, eye infections, rash, fever, and sore throats or ears.
The clinic, which is located on the main level of 144 6th Street, will be open from 2 until 10 today, and then from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
October hours of operation will be posted soon to prairiemountainhealth.ca.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
One of the signature events of Dauphin Culture Days is set for this weekend.
Culture Days co-organizer Jean-Louis Guillas says Yard Frnge returns this Sunday.
"Most of us go by bicycle. We meet at the Watson Art Centre at one o'clock Sunday afternoon and then we set out across the city for culture in unexpected locations. We go to backyards, we go to public parks. Everyone is for the entire family so if you have six-year-olds bring them along. If you have younger children, put them in a bike trailer."
If you do not ride a bike, you can still check out Yard Fringe in your vehicle.
Back for Yard Fringe this year is the Viking re-enactment camp at Vermillion Park.
"The Viking camp was so thrilling last year, to see that group of re-enactors showing us authentic life of what a Viking camp would look like, and also battle re-enactments. It was fun and educational and we are so thrilled that they are back this year."
Also on Sunday, the Crocus Quilters Guild will hold an outdoor show at CN Park beginning at 1 pm.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Conservatives have continued to push for a non-confidence vote and an early election in parliament.
Dauphin - Swan River - Neepawa MP Dan Mazier spoke with CKDM about what's going on out east.
"So, we had the motion go forward, and debated it on tuesday, and we voted on it yesterday. Of course, the NDP and the Bloc supported. The Liberals, they have confidence in them still, which is probably the most surprising part."
Mazier's surprise was due Jagmeet Singh "ripping up" an agreement between the Liberal and NDP governments, a move Mazier thought would signal non-confidence.
Mazier describes the situation in parliament as "hour-by-hour", as opposition parties can force a snap election if they defeat the government on a confidence motion or a money bill.
short of this, the next federal election is scheduled for October 2025.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Dauphin's Desiree Dorion is set to release her seventh album, titled "Remember Your Name".
Desiree says a genre shift was one of the inspirations behind this album.
"I am cognizant I guess of country music and the artists who are coming up. I am not getting any younger, and I thought that in the interest of preserving my career and maintaining some longevity in what I love to do, that a genre shift would be necessary. Women in particular can work in the folk roots world until they are 80 years old. But you do not see that in mainstream country music."
Desiree says she wanted this album to be very stripped down and raw, and not over-produced.
Dorion says she is particularly impressed with the title track.
"It has a pretty powerful message. If you are finding yourself in a dark moment, just stand up on your own two feet and remember who you are and where you come from. For me, it was remembering the strength of my ancestors, particularly the women in my family. The strength of my grandmother and the strength of my own mother."
An album release party is set for Friday night at 8 pm at the Watson Art Centre.
Desiree will also perform at the party, along with Winnipegosis artist Emma Peterson.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
October 1st will mark a shift in policing service on the Gambler First Nation near Binscarth.
Previously policed by the RCMP, the area will switch over to the Manitoba First Nation Police Service as of the beginning of the month
Now a member of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Police Commission, the change makes Gambler First Nation the tenth community to be served by the MFNPS.
An official signing ceremony to mark the change will take place Tuesday at 2:30 on the Gambler First Nation.
Chief David LeDoux and other band council members, will be joined by reps from Manitoba First Nations Police Service, the RCMP, and representatives from the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Police Commission, the provincial and federal governments for the ceremony.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
R-M of Dauphin C-A-O Nicole Chychota has been named the new president of Manitoba Municipal Administrators.
She was acclaimed to the position during the organization's recent conference, becoming the first-ever member from District 7 to serve as the group's President.
The MMA is a not-for-profit professional association created in 1931 by The Manitoba Municipal Administrators Association Inc. Act
It exists to provide support, education, and continuing professional development to its members.
R-M of Dauphin Reeve Ernie Sirski says the appointment shows the expertise and accomplishments that a staff member of a rural municipality can achieve with hard work and dedication.
For her part, Chychota stated in a news release that she looks forward to the opportunity to represent the municipality, the Parkland region, and the MMA in the months to come..
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin Friendship Centre is partnering with a number of groups to hold a full day of events today (Thursday) to recognize National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Event coordinator Jerri Thompson says the activities begin at 8:30 am at Mackenzie Middle School with a pancake breakfast, followed by ceremonies at 10 am.
"We will have speakers who address things such as the acknowledgement of residential schools and the honouring of the survivors and the victims that did not make it home. Then we will move into a round dance, followed by an awareness walk that goes up Main Street and back down to Mackenzie Middle School so everybody is invited to do that. "
Thompson adds that will be followed by a noon hour bag lunch and then more activities in the afternoon.
"There will be approximately 30 stations, again open to everybody, just to create awareness and to learn about indigenous culture, such as the ribbon shirts and ribbon skirts, the dances, the fires. Everybody always has questions about why we do certain things."
Thompson stresses both students and members of the public can take part in these events, adding it is important to get youth involved and getting that knowledge into them.
The Friendship Centre is partnering with the Northwest Metis Council, West Region Treaty 2 and 4, Jordon's Principle, Pine Creek First Nation, and Mountainview School Division to put on these activities.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
