Uncertainty about return to workplace plans have contributed to declining mental health for Canadians in June.

That’s according to LifeWorks’ Mental Health Index, in which a quarter of respondents stated they were unclear about their employer’s plan for work, while another twelve per cent don’t believe that their employer has a plan.

Spokesperson Paula Allen says while the overall mental health of Manitobans has improved, they’ve also had the most tumultuous scores in the past year compared to the rest of the country.

Allen adds vaccination status did have an impact in the report, as those who reported being partially vaccinated had more favourable mental health scores than those who haven’t been vaccinated.

Pimicikamak Cree Nation had a sod-turning ceremony for their new infrastructure projects yesterday.

The ceremony was for the new $55 million Cross Lake Hospital and a $27 million Project Charter.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak’s press release states the new hospital was announced in 2016, and has finally come to fruition after many negotiations with the federal government.

Meanwhile, the Project Charter was developed so that it would give an opportunity to hire their own people, utilize their own companies, and keep economic benefits with the First Nation.

The Hub of the North is getting much needed funding for its road infrastructure.

Thompson is receiving $40 million towards its Road Renewal Program, which is part of the 2019 Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s Rural and Northern Infrastructure Stream.

The grant includes $20 million from the federal government, the province is providing $13.3 million, and the City of Thompson is contributing $6.7 million.

The money will cover the renewal of nearly 20 kilometres of 24 different roads in the community over a five-year period.

That’s nearly a fifth of Thompson’s entire road network.

The Thompson RCMP is looking for a 13-year-old boy after he allegedly stabbed another youth at a local business.

On Saturday afternoon, Thompson RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing inside a business on Mystery Lake Road.

When they arrived, police located a twelve-year-old boy with multiple injuries who was being given medical assistance by several people who were at the scene of the crime.

The victim was taken to local hospital in stable condition, before being transferred to a hospital in Winnipeg.

The investigation determined the 13-year-old chased the victim into the business where a fight began, stabbed the victim, and then fled on foot. The weapon was found at the scene.

An arrest warrant is out on the suspect for assault charges.

Summertime means tornado season is afoot in Manitoba, and the Canadian Red Cross urges residents to learn more about tornado safety.

While tornados are more common in southern Manitoba, spokesperson Alison Everitt says they can happen anywhere, including in northern Manitoba.

Everitt recommends households have a tornado safety kit in case of emergencies. Items should include non-perishable food, water, cash, and a portable radio so that you can listen to updates on the situation.

Everitt says people should pay attention to weather watches and warnings so that they can be prepared to take shelter.

She adds families should have an emergency plan in place should tornado activity be close to their community.

Visit redcross.ca to learn more about tornado preparedness.

There will be two candidates running for Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.

One of the candidates is Ken Bighetty of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, who currently works for Keewatin Tribal Council and is a local puppeteer.

He joins the race alongside incumbent Grand Chief Garrison Settee, who announced his intentions to run for a second term earlier this month.

The election for MKO Grand Chief will be held August 18^th in Norway House Cree Nation, where the organization’s Annual General Assembly will be taking place.

Edit - July 20, 2021: Thompson RCMP have located the two women. They thank the public for their assistance.

The Thompson RCMP is urgently seeking to find two 18-year-old women.

Sheridan Jonasson and Zayna Lavallee were last seen this morning just before 9 a.m. near the Miles Hart Bridge.

Anyone who has seen these women is asked to immediately call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909.

On July 18, 2021, at approximately 10:30am, Shamattawa RCMP received a report of a missing fisherman from the community.

Leon Redhead, 51-years-old, was last seen at approximately 4:00pm, on July 17, when he left the community to check his fishing nets in Gods River.

RCMP officers, with the assistance of the community, are searching the area.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Shamattawa RCMP at 204-565-2350.

Local Fire Chief Steve Molloy has temporarily halted fire pit permits.

The City of Thompson says this is due to the extremely dry conditions locally and across the province.

This means fires in private fire pits are not allowed within city permits at any time or day or night until permits are officially restores.

This is in conjunction with fire restrictions that are currently in place across the province.

That includes campfires being prohibited at most provincial parks and backcountry travel or travel to remote cottages requiring a travel permit.

MP Niki Ashton says the federal government must act immediately to support Tataskweyak Cree Nation.

This comes after the First Nation declared a state of emergency last week due to recent suicides and incidents of self-harm.

Ashton says the community has been clear that the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on young people’s mental health, and the few resources that existed in the community were overstretched and inadequate.

She goes on to add the situation highlights how Ottawa is failing to provide hope and supports to youth in northern and Indigenous communities.

Edit - July 20, 2020: Skylar Mason has been found safe and sound. The RCMP thank the public for their assistance.

Thompson RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 17-year-old Skylar Mason.

Mason was last seen on July 9 in the City of Thompson, wearing a grey shirt, black pants and a black back bag.

Mason is described as 5’2” and 150 lbs.

RCMP have confirmed Mason was in Winnipeg on July 13 and is believed to still be in the City.

If you have information, please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6911 or your nearest police service, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business spoke to Arctic Radio to share their take on the province’s reopening plan for phase two.

Director of the Prairies Jonathan Alward says it’d great to see businesses that weren’t included in phase one last month such as movie theatres and museums. He goes on to say,”I think a lot of small businesses in the province certainly are going to be pleased to see that milestone too because it was hit so early. We’re moving to stage two of the reopening about 2 weeks ahead of schedule. I guess two important take aways from me. One, it wasn’t the kind of leap I’d hoped for or maybe expected. Even if you look at personal services, businesses like salons and barbershops. They’re remaining at 50% capacity. A lot of other businesses like restaurants don’t see any real significant changes happening to ease their restrictions other than allowing more people indoors. Like he requirement to sit strictly with your household, unless your fully vaccinated, remains in place. “

When asked about how vaccinated people getting more benefits under these new orders will affect independent business owners, Alward has this response.

“It’s a tough spot for businesses because on one hand you want to be able to open and serve as many customers as it’s safe to do so and the province is increasing that. On the other hand, and this is something we’re hearing a lot already, is why are businesses expected to enforce this? This is a lot of responsibilities to have on their shoulders and potentially putting them into some very difficult positions with their staff, their customers certainly with those realities.”

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for the full update with Alward.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee has announced he’s running for a second term.
He states that it was a rewarding time to be a First Nations leader, citing the growing awareness about the impact of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and the foster care system on Indigenous Peoples.

Settee, who was first elected to the position in 2018, says he’s dedicated to raising awareness and seeking solutions to poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, and systemic racism. He adds he remains concerned about access to education for northern First Nations children and teens, as well as access to high speed internet.

He states there is still work to do, such as focusing on youth and mental wellness across the north, climate change, environmental degradation, and clean drinking water in MKO communities.

The MKO Grand Chief election will take place during the organization’s Annual General Assembly in Norway House Cree Nation on August 18^th.

The City of Thompson’s Fire Chief Steve Molloy has temporarily suspended fire pit permits as of yesterday.This means that fires in private fire pits are not permitted within city limits at any time of day or night until permits are officially restored.

Open campfires were never allowed within city limits.

This comes as the provincial government announced fire restrictions earlier this week due to the extremely dry conditions across the province.
These restrictions include campfires being prohibited at most provincial parks and backcountry travel or travel to remote cottages requiring a travel permit.

On June 29, 2021, at approximately 1:45 am, the Headingley RCMP Roving Traffic Unit stopped a vehicle on Highway 6 just north of Winnipeg as part of an ongoing investigation. While searching the vehicle, police located a significant amount of Canadian currency. An occupant of the vehicle, a 39-year-old female, was arrested.

Further investigation by Cross Lake RCMP resulted in search warrants being executed at a residence in Winnipeg and at a residence in Pimicikamak (Cross Lake). With the warrants, officers with the Roving Traffic Unit and the RCMP East District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team located more than $2 million in Canadian currency, a significant amount of expensive jewelry, 20 grams of cocaine, and drug trafficking paraphernalia.

“This is a significant arrest and seizure,” said Chief Superintendent Rob Hill, Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations for the Manitoba RCMP. “To get more than two million dollars that would be used in the illegal drug trade off the street is an important seizure for the community of Pimicikamak, and for the province as a whole. The investigation conducted by our officers was extremely well done and has netted some really positive results. Illegal drugs affect communities in so many negative ways, and the RCMP is dedicated to finding those involved and getting those drugs off the street.”

The 39-year-old female, from Pimicikamak, has been charged with Possession of the Proceeds of Crime over $5000 x2, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine). She has been released.

The investigation continues.

Tataskweyak Cree Nation has declared a state of emergency.

A press release from Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) reveals this is due to the recent deaths and incidents of self harm in the last weeks.

The community is calling for immediate mental wellness supports and long-term solutions for their members, and have reached out to mobile crisis teams from MKO and the Keewatin Tribal Council.

Leadership is also requesting additional support from Health Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, the RCMP, and the provincial government to bring long-term solutions such as 24/7 in-community mental health counselling.

The press release states the community has reached a breaking point, and is under crisis with alcohol and drugs contributing to the situation.

The Manitoba government is investing three million dollars towards Indigenous and northern organizations.

Organizations that are receiving the funding include the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Manitoba Metis Federation, the Northern Association of Community Councils, and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.

In a press release, Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Eileen Clarke extended her appreciation to the organizations for the work they do to connect with Indigenous and northern people during the pandemic.

Clarke adds providing this support means programs and services that improve the social and economic outcomes for Indigenous and northern peoples are able to continue.

RCMP have rescued two stranded boaters in northern Manitoba in what they say turned out to be a very Canadian rescue.

On Saturday night, the Thompson RCMP received a report that two boaters were stranded near an unnamed lake 53 kilometres south of the city, west of Highway 6.

Responding officers called in conservation officials and Park patrol for Paint Lake Provincial Park to assist in the rescue after they were unable to use a snowmobile trail near the location due to swampy terrain and dead-end water.

The rescue party trekked over a beaver dam and hiked for approximately three kilometres through brush before eventually locating the boaters and paddling towards them.

The 51-year-old and 55-year-old men from Thompson were found in good health, and were escorted back across the lake and were able to get back to Highway 6 without any injuries.

On July 8, 2021, as a result of an ongoing investigation, Thompson RCMP executed two search warrants at two separate residences located in the community of Split Lake.

The search resulted in the seizure of more than $7, 500 in Canadian currency, 580 grams of cocaine, several firearms, brass knuckles, and other drug-related paraphernalia.

Officers arrested 43-year-old Delbert Sinclair who was remanded into custody on charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm/Prohibited Weapon, and Unsafe Storage of Firearms.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

The Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation is stressing the importance of sun protection this summer.

Executive Director Heidi Veluw explains Manitobans should avoid getting sunburn, as it increases the likelihood of developing skin cancer by 75 per cent.

Here, Veluw outlines some of the common skin cancers Canadians should be aware of.

“People have minor cancers like basal cell carcinoma or Squamous cell. The most deadly skin cancer is melanoma and it’s not as prevalent but if you get it, then it’s a very serious cancer so you have to take all cancers seriously and one of the challenges is to always check to see if you have moles on your body and if they’re changing. And making sure to check with your doctor or dermatologist if you have something on your skin that you’re worried about, it’s not healing , if a mole is changing on your body. So some people have lots of moles, some have less but those are the things to look for.”

Veluw says skin cancer is preventable, and people can be proactive by regularly applying sunscreen before going outside, wearing sunglasses, staying in the shade, and avoiding indoor tanning beds.

She specifies that says sunscreen is one of the best things people can use to help lower the risk of sunburns, going on to say,

“The biggest thing for sunscreen is buy it and wear it. Best thing is SPF 30. Not lower than that. And making sure you reapply at all times. So mostly your sunscreen starts wearing off in two hours so in Canada where we get very excited about our summers because we have long winters, but getting a burn is not the way to go. So SPF 30, keep it on ya and keep on reapplying. Especially for little children.”

For more on sun protection, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for more on sun protection.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced 181 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday, bringing the five-day test positivity rate to 5 per cent. 

He also announced two additions deaths with one each in the Winnipeg and Interlake Eastern health regions.

Of today’s 31 new cases, 20 are in the Winnipeg region with single digits in other regions, including three in the Northern Health Region.

Roussin says we’re still seeing some numbers in the 70s or 80s, but with the vaccine uptake that we’re getting, the province is going to see a decline in active cases. However he adds we’re not done with the virus yet as we are dealing with the Delta variant, so we still have to be cognizant of this virus and have to take care to ensure we’re not having large spreading events. Roussin says we have to ensure that Manitobans get vaccinated at that fast pace they have been doing up to now.

There are currently three active cases of COVID-19 in the Thompson/Mystery Lake District.

MKO’s Grand Chief Garrison Settee responded to the Premier’s remarks regarding the restoration of two statues pulled down during a demonstration on Canada Day at the Manitoba legislature.

Settee condemned Pallister for his comments stating that the Premier missed the point and forgot that the demonstrations were for the Indigenous children and babies that were buried in unmarked graves at former residential school sites across the country.

He goes on to state that the Premier’s statement is  “nothing more than a deliberate attempt” to keep Manitobans in the dark about the province’s true history and leave it to future generations to reconcile.

Settee ended his statement by saying that it’s unfortunate and shameful for a Premier to make light of the deaths of thousands of children and the attempts by their families and all Indigenous Peoples to bring justice for them.

He adds that if Pallister, as the Premier of Manitoba, refuses to acknowledge the thousands of children killed in residential schools, then there can be no reconciliation.

On July 8, 2021, at 4:30 am, Thompson RCMP responded to a bomb threat at the Thompson Hospital.

Hospital staff advised that they received a call from a male advising of an “IED” in the building and that they needed to evacuate.

Officers attended to the hospital and conducted a thorough search of the complex, including a nearby administrative building, and did not locate any suspicious package or device.

Inside the hospital, there were approximately 55 patients and staff who were affected but not evacuated.

Thompson RCMP believe that the phone call was a hoax and are conducting a Public Mischief investigation.

The Finance Minister Scott Fielding has announced the government will introduce legislation this fall that would set interim rates for Manitoba Hydro. 

He says while Manitoba Hydro has requested a 3.5 per cent increase, this will limit annual rate increases to 2.5 per cent for 2021, 2022 and 2023. The minister states this is the lowest hydro rate increase in ten years. 

Fielding explains 2.5 per cent will save ratepayers as well as businesses upwards to 10 million dollars in 2021, 28 million dollars in 2022/2023 and upwards of 48 million dollars. He adds there are savings for ratepayers and they think it’s important to support individuals and businesses as we move out of the pandemic. 

Fielding says that’s what they’ve tried to do as a government throughout this whole process and that’s what this announcement today does as well.

These limited rate increases will be introduced as amendments to bill 35 which is the public utilities ratepayer protection and regulatory reform act.

On July 7, 2021, Nelson House RCMP received a report that a male in the community of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation may be in possession of two restricted handguns and a decommissioned police vehicle with a working light bar.

A short while later, the male attended the community checkstop site, which is in place for COVID-19 measures, in an old white Crown Victoria model vehicle with a red and white light bar on the roof. He informed those in attendance he would be conducting patrols.

Nelson House RCMP got a search warrant for the male’s residence in Nisichawayasihk. When they executed the search warrant, police seized a BB gun handgun replica, bear mace wrapped in black tape, police style flashlights, tactical style vest, handcuffs, assorted ammunition, and the Crown Victoria vehicle with the light bar. Investigation determined the Crown Victoria is a decommissioned police vehicle.

Jack Kobliski, 55, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and Personating a Police Officer. He remains in custody.

The investigation is continuing.

Manitoba has achieved its second vaccine milestone on the re-opening path nearly a month ahead of schedule. 

Premier Brian Pallister reports more than 75 per cent of eligible Manitobans have received at least one dose, and more than 50 per cent have received both doses of vaccine.

He says public health officials have recommended that at least one incubation period should pass between changing public health orders, so new orders are expected next week to reflect the immunization milestone achieved and the state of COVID-19 in Manitoba at that time.

Manitoba public health reported 70 net new cases this afternoon, bringing the five day test positivity rate to 5.6 percent.

They also reported two additional deaths with one each in Interlake Eastern and Winnipeg regions. 

Of the new cases, 32 were in Winnipeg and19 in Interlake Eastern, with lower numbers in other regions, including four in the Northern Health Region. 

Of the total 56, 585 reported cases, 990 are active and 54,442 people have recovered.

In the span of less than 24 hours on July 5, 2021, Thompson RCMP responded to three calls for service where the suspects were found to be in possession of machetes and a firearm.

At 2:25 am, officers responded to a fight in progress on Parkway Crescent, where it was reported that the two suspects were in possession of weapons. Upon arrival, officers learned that the two male youths, a 15-year-old and 14-year-old, had fled on foot. A patrol was made, and the two suspects were located and arrested without incident. A machete was located and seized. Both accused were later released on court-imposed conditions for a court date scheduled in Thompson.

Later that afternoon, at 2:25 pm, a report was received of a male brandishing a firearm in the parking lot of a business located on Thompson Drive. Patrols were made and the suspect was observed walking near Grey Wolf Bay. After a short foot pursuit, the suspect was arrested without incident. Officers recovered a sawed off .22 cal. rifle nearby. The 24-year-old male remains in police custody.

A few hours later, at 4:50 pm, a report was received of a male walking on Churchill Drive with a weapon in his hands. Officers attended and arrested the 22-year-old male and seized a machete from his possession. He was later released for a court date scheduled in August in Thompson.

“Thankfully there were no injuries to the public or our officers” said Inspector Chris Hastie, Detachment Commander of the Thompson RCMP. “Our officers will continue to work diligently to make the City of Thompson a safer place and appreciate the public’s timely assistance in reporting suspicious activities, such as these, to the police.”

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

The new sobering centre in Thompson will be at the former Polaris Centre located at the corner of Princeton Drive and Station Road.

Manitoba’s Justice Minister Cameron Friesen announced the government transferred ownership of the former campus from University College of the North to the City of Thompson yesterday afternoon. The province is also contributing 2.8 million dollars to establish and operate the centre here in the city.

Friesen explains the significance of having a sobering centre here in the city;

“It’s simply a safe setting for a short term stay to facilitate recovery. It is more appropriate than sending someone to a police holding cell. It is more appropriate for the utilization of our health care system in sending them to the hospital and it is more client- centered. It avoids a criminal record. So it’s good on many levels.”

The minister adds sobering centres have been shown to work in the province, citing the Main Street Project in Winnipeg as an example.

Friesen says construction on the new centre will begin shortly, and the province it will continue to work with the City of Thompson to open an interim centre in late fall/early winter while construction of the permanent centre takes place.

At the virtual press conference, Mayor Colleen Smook said it was a wonderful day for Thompson and its partners to receive this news ; “This is definitely one of our major pieces of the puzzle and we can’t thank the province enough for coming on board for the last couple years , especially, and working so hard with us for this. This is a 24 hour plan that will be going ahead and it couldn’t be done without all of our community partners. Without the Provincial Government or the support of City Council and all our staff here in the city.”

Sobering centres provide short-term recovery from intoxication in a safe setting that would lower intoxication detentions in RCMP holding cells and lower the burden at local public health facilities. The new centre will provide a 24-7 safe and secure environment for non-violent, publicly intoxicated individuals to stay while the effects of drugs and alcohol wear off.

CAA has launched a campaign to help drivers and cyclists navigate the road together safely with tips to create better awareness.

Heather Mack, Manager of Government and Community Relations for CAA Manitoba says it’s hard to put a number to the incidents that occur between vehicles and bicycles. 

She explains why:

“It’s difficult to get the numbers because in some cases you talk to cycling advocates and they’ll say it’s the near misses that are almost as important to know about. It’s dooring , it’s things that wouldn’t necessarily show up on MPI Collision Statistics because there may not be a claim from a car. They’re usually preventable things and we just think it’s an easy fix if we all work together.”

Leaving space for cyclists, watching for hand or turn signals, avoiding distracted driving, and opening car doors cautiously to avoid dooring cyclists are tips for everyone to be aware of. 

Mac goes on to say that the pandemic has changed how people travel and has given them new perspectives on other modes of transportation.

“Experiencing the road in different ways, not always driving, not always cycling, not always walking. You get a better appreciation and can have some empathy for each other, and that’s really what it is. It’s about caring that everybody gets where they need to be safely and just sharing the road because we all need to use it.”

For more on the CAA campaign, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon or go to caamanitoba.com. 

Local traffic enforcement was out and about during the Canada Day weekend.

A total of 78 tickets were issued between Thursday and yesterday, 27 of them for speeding with the highest recorded speed being 149 kilometres-an-hour in a one hundred zone.

Additionally, nine impaired drivers were taken off the roads, with seven of them caught during patrols and checks stops at Paint Lake Provincial Park. 155 boats were also checked at Paint Lake to ensure they had proper safety equipment as required.

Other tickets issued include nine for driving unregistered vehicles, seven to learner drivers not driving with supervising drivers, and six for failing to slow down and move over for a stopped emergency vehicle.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced 177 new cases of COVID-19 have been identified since Friday, bringing the five day test positivity rate to 6.3 percent.  He also reported four additional deaths over that time, including three in the Winnipeg Health Region and one in the Southern Health Region.  

Of the 65 new cases reported for today, 35 were in Winnipeg with lower numbers in other regions, including five in the Northern Health Region. 

Roussin spoke about a post pandemic province, noting we know that in a post pandemic Manitoba our health care system won’t be strained by a fatal agent, will not report daily on case counts and test positivity and hospital admissions, and will be without public health restrictions.

Roussin says to reach this goal, he urges everyone to get vaccinated with both doses so they can continue to move forward with their re-opening plan.

Operations of the Indigenous Court Workers Program will transition to Indigenous rights holder organizations.

A move by the province to transition the operations of the Indigenous Court Workers Program to Indigenous rights holder organizations is being met with approval by four groups; Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Manitoba Metis Federation, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization and the Island Lake Tribal Council who agree that the move will improve cultural safety for their citizens and play an important role in ensuring victims and families are connected with Victims Services, such as those for families of missing and murdered indigenous women.

Indigenous court workers will provide culturally appropriate support and help Indigenous people navigate the court system and connect to resources both in and out of the accused person’s community.

Justice Minister Cameron Friesen noted the transition aligns with Manitoba Justice’s Criminal Justice System Modernization Strategy and will align Manitoba with other provinces that provide these services. Therefore, the province will support the transition of the program by providing annual grants totalling more than $1 million a year for two years.

MKO’s Grand Chief Garrison Settee said the move will also assist with the implementation of restorative justice in northern Manitoba and marks an important step toward truth and reconciliation and the implementation of the 94 Calls to Action.

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada launched its new domestic campaign to promote the Indigenous tourism sector hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Keith Henry says the main purpose of The Original Original Campaign is to educate travelers, modernize their perceptions of Indigenous experiences, and rebuild the industry across Canada.

Here, ITAC President Henry Keith explains what this means for the sector in Manitoba.

“ We work with partners that travel Manitoba and so we really are very specific to different parts of the country. Yes we have a national  lens as ITAC but in terms of the posters and the video assets we’re building , we’re gonna be very much supporting more provincial and territorial focus as well. So we’ve created a tool kit for provincial , territorial indigenous tourism organizations so partners like Manitoba Indigenous Tourism Association and Travel Manitoba actually have a tool kit that actually takes the content we’ve created and build new posters and assets locally so we absolutely are gonna be pushing on every part of this country geographically.

Keith goes to say . “What we want is we want visitors to really recommend indigenous experiences across Canada. We want Canadians to embrace indigenous experiences , to tell their families, tell their friends. It’s part of the new sort of tactical campaign thinking. Secondly, we really wanna reach more of our target audience from this country and often it was thought that it was an older demographic and its not, its young families, individuals, its anyone looking for experiences and wants to learn more about indigenous people. Third, we’re really trying to make sure that the target audience , our visitors , find indigenous experiences . And finally, we want to make it easy for visitors to purchase because I mean a lot of people just don’t know where to go and how to purchase it.

Listen to our full Thompson Today interview at on Your Radio's website here for more information.

On July 1^st,  around 6 PM, the Thompson RCMP were patrolling on Paint Lake conducting safety checks on boaters when they received a report a powerboat was operating unsafely in a no-wake zone by the docks near the Paint Lake marina. 

Police conducted a safety check with this powerboat and observed that the operator displayed signs of impairment by alcohol.  The operator subsequently failed an alcohol screening device for alcohol consumption and later provided samples of their breath more than twice the legal limit.  The operator was issued a 90 days driving suspension and released from custody to appear in court at a later date.

Later in the evening,  the Thompson RCMP were on patrol in the Paint Lake Provincial Park campground when they conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle.  The driver of this vehicle failed a roadside screening device for alcohol consumption and was issued a 90 day driving suspension.  Their vehicle was also impounded for 30 days.

Between Thursday afternoon and evening, RCMP, along with Park Patrol, checked approximately 25 boats for safety equipment.  One boat operator was issued a ticket for operating a power pleasure craft without personal flotation devices or lifejackets of appropriate size for each person on board contrary to the Small Vessel Regulations.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is issuing this statement in response to activities that took place in Treaty One Territory on July 1.

“MKO was a partner to an event called ‘No Pride in Genocide’ on July 1 along with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Southern Chiefs’ Organization, and The Treaty One Nation,” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “We were proud to be part of the peaceful walk and ride today in honour of the 215+ children who have been found in unmarked graves across the country. The powerful healing event was also held to honour the Survivors of Indian Residential Schools, Day Schools, and the Sixties Scoop.”

“There is much need for healing, which is clear from the large turn out to this event,” shared Grand Chief Settee. “While I was attending a graduation in Northern Manitoba on July 1, my understanding is there were two events being held in Winnipeg at the same time. As they marched down Portage Avenue, one group turned south to head to the Manitoba legislative building while our event travelled west to 1075 Portage to gather and share their stories in a peaceful way.”

Chief David Monias of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation shared,  “Violence and destruction is not the Indigenous way! Never was… Our teachings were sacred and these teachings were part of the culture that was being destroyed by residential school and government. We followed great sacred teachings of love, respect, strength, truth, honesty courage and humility! I will not condemn the people as they are hurt mentally and emotionally because the truth that came out is hurtful and damaging and people experience post-traumatic stress disorder. We have to acknowledge the truth and address the truth! And then move to reconciliation!”

“MKO does not condone violence. I have reached out to Winnipeg Chief of Police Danny Smyth to let him know we do not condone violence. We want to continue to work on relationships with our partners and we hope for continued dialogue around the ongoing legacy of residential schools. We also are looking to see concrete actions for moving forward on the issue of healing multiple generations of people from the ongoing traumas caused by the discoveries of more and more children buried in unmarked graves.”

“Destruction of material things are nothing compared to the deliberate destruction of life and culture, said Chief Monias. “Material things are replaceable, but lives aren’t! Hiding our children’s remains and not returning them and not telling us where they are buried is even more damaging and we have to work on returning these children’s remains home. Let’s find them and help us find them! I don’t support violence, but our people are hurt!”

Our “No Pride in Genocide” event was not linked with the incident at the Manitoba legislature. We are committed to holding peaceful demonstrations and actions, and we thank all of our participants for being a part of our walk for residential school awareness.