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Fifteen First Nations students from around Dauphin began training for a plumbing career this week at the ACC Parkland Campus.
They are taking the Applied Plumbing Installation program.
Students are coming from communities like Skownan, Waywayseecappo, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi, Ebb and Flow, Tootinaowaaziibeeng, Pine Creek, Rolling River and Keeseekoowenin First Nations, to learn the trade.
“They are learning how to do the rough-in plumbing portions. They can work along with whomever the community has engaged in building their homes or their public buildings. They’ll be able to work alongside them. Piping, soldering, all the aspects that are related to plumbing.”
Charles Blackbird, the coordinator of community development at ACC, says the students will be able to take what they learn back to their communities.
“We hold meetings with our community reps each year, and they identify needs in their community. They’ve shown a lot of a need for plumbing. This is why we’ve decided to do this program this year.”
The program is accredited by Apprenticeship Manitoba to provide credit for Level 1 plumbing apprenticeship in-school technical training. Graduates will be eligible for the next steps of apprenticeship.
The First Nations communities involved in this initiative require local plumbers. Currently, they are contracting work to outside contractors.
“With the graduates here, they will be able to go back home and share their knowledge. They’ll be able to perform a lot of the work that the outside plumbers and contractors would provide and also save the community money in the long run. Because they wouldn’t have to pay the service call fees and stuff like that.”
Delivering the program close to their communities increases the likelihood of academic success, a First Nations spokespersons said.
“The design of this program meets the needs of First Nations learners. We know that with Assiniboine Community College in Dauphin, our students will be more successful since they do not have to move to a larger urban centre," said Sheena Houle, post-secondary counsellor of the Ebb and Flow First Nation Education Authority.
All students will be sponsored for their tuition fees and other course costs.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
From 2-4 on Saturday the Richardson Pioneer Community Hall in Gilbert Plains is having its open house.
It’s a chance to go for free before the Grand Opening Event the following Saturday.
Blake Price, Reeve of Gilbert Plains, says they’ll explain what they did in the hall and will be able to answer any questions you have.
There will be tea and coffee available.
He also says the open house won’t be too elaborate.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Last night a business meeting in Grandview was hosted by the Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce.
Stephen Chychota said the meeting was great.
“It was a very good start to what we’re trying to do here. It was great to connect with so many business people and those who’re involved in the Grandview and Gilbert area. We were able to collaborate on what the chamber’s approach is over the next little while. We can hopefully establish some more change and see more involvement across communities.”
Chychota is in the process of turning the chamber into The Parkland Chamber of Commerce.
This is happening because they are trying to focus more on The Parkland.
There would be a better connection throughout The Parkland and provincially.
The meeting showed Chychota how passionate people are about their community.
He also learned what some businesses are facing.
He's hoping to get more meetings going to help tackle some of those issues.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
In a week and a half, Paul Brandt will be in Dauphin with The Journey Tour.
Brandt spoke with Al Gaines this morning and shares how people are liking the show so far.
“The response has just been over the top. People seem to be having a wonderful time."
Tickets are still available for the February 10th show at Credit Union Place. You can pick yours up by clicking here or by calling 1-800-361-7300.
"I know we are having a great time. We don’t want to leave. We’re just having a blast up there. So we’re excited to continue rolling this across the country.”
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day, a day to bring awareness to mental health issues.
Andrew Jensen, pro golfer and Bell Let’s Talk Ambassador, suffered from depression in his teens but didn’t know about it until his mid-20s.
He tried to take his life when he was 16 and again twice when he was 27.
After the two later attempts, he went through years of treatment and therapy.
He now has the confidence to speak out about it.
To Jensen, Bell Let’s Talk is hope. Every year more people are affected and the conversation about mental health gets louder.
If you know someone is going through a tough time, Jensen says to just be there for them, you can’t solve it or fix it. You have to show them you love them and that you’re there for them. That will move mountains.
Bell Let’s talk is important because it tells the country that your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Fires can quickly start if your extension or block heater cords are broken or cracked.
Manitoba Public Insurance warns cords that are cracked or have exposed wires should be replaced.
The reminder comes after several vehicle fires have recently been linked to electrical arcing.
To avoid damage, one tip MPI gives is to not drive over your cord. This can cause cracking or breaking during bitterly cold weather.
Manitoba Public Insurance encourages people to unplug their block heater by using the hard, rubber end.
By pulling on the cord, it can cause breakage and potential electrical issues.
They also recommend covering your block heater plug-in with its protective cover.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Aspen Insurance is the new naming rights sponsor for the meeting room formally known as the “Lions Den”.
Starting on Friday the room will be called “Aspen Lodge”.
Dauphin Recreation Services would like to thank Aspen Insurance for the sponsorship.
Sponsorships help keep costs like recreation fees low.
They would also like to thank the Lions club for their support over the years.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
We aren’t the only ones that freeze when it’s cold outside.
Chris Wolfenden, co-owner of Steiner’s plumbing and heating, says pipes are at risk too.
Frozen pipes will make it so you don’t have any water.
A few ways to keep that from happening are to make sure your trace heating is working if you are in a trailer, it’s possible to insulate water lines, and running water in a small steady stream will keep the internal temperature of the pipe warmer. Water also freezes quicker if it's stagnant.
When the temperature is below -30 or -40, the coldness will penetrate the walls much easier, especially in older buildings.
Wolfenden says to check daily to make sure your pipes aren’t frozen.
Whenever there’s a cold snap, colder than -20, Wolfenden says they receive calls about frozen pipes quite often.
When pipes are frozen, Steiner’s Plumbing and Heating uses heat from heat guns, torches, or trace heating to thaw out the pipes.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
If it’s too cold for you, with the wind chills we're enduring, it’s too cold for your pets.
Dr. Roxanne Neufeld shares some tips on making sure your animals are comfortable in the extreme minus weather.
“If it’s really, really cold on our feet it’s probably going to be cold on their feet as well. They still need water. They should not have to fend for themselves eating snow. They do need fresh water. Be careful about leaving them out for a long time, especially when there is a wind chill. They can get wind chill.”
If your pets want to go outside in the cold, let them. But as soon as they start dancing around because their feet are cold, Dr. Neufeld says that’s when it’s time to wrap your activities up and go back inside.
“It would be a good idea sitting in a vehicle for a long time outside because your vehicle can get a little chilly as well. Just make sure that if it’s too uncomfortable, it might be uncomfortable for them as well.”
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- Contributed by Benjamin Schwab and Darnell Duff
Update: The hearing has been cancelled for today. A new day for the hearing will be scheduled on February 12th at 10 in the morning.
A standing hearing to determine potential witnesses for the inquest into the death of an inmate at the Dauphin Correctional Centre was suppose to take place this afternoon.
The inquest was called after a medical examiner determined Freeman Zong died by suicide in 2016.
It will explore the circumstances and events leading to his death to find out what, if anything, can be done to prevent a similar death in the future.
Before the inquest begins, the judge will decide who can participate in the process and question witnesses. Individuals and groups may make an application to be granted standing and participate in the inquest.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
A new housing strategy is in the works for the City of Dauphin.
The city is exploring conducting a professional study to provide an assessment of the community’s needs.
Deputy City Manager Renee St-Goddard says they are still in the early stages.
“It’s more from an economic development standpoint. Our Economic Development Manager is having lots of inquiries from developers asking if there’s a need, looking to invest in building in Dauphin. However, we’re not able to provide them with updated information.”
The city’s last housing study was completed in 2009.
“The Economic Development Manager is going to be reaching out to a company to do this study so we can provide more updated information.”
St-Goddard says the suggestion came up at a management meeting and it would be beneficial for the community to have this information.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
