Last Thursday morning at approximately 4:15 am, Thompson RCMP received a report of an assault with a weapon, on Sayisi Dene First Nation, Manitoba.

It was reported that a 21-year-old man had attended a residence in the community and bear-sprayed three individuals. A second call was received at 5:50 am where the same suspect assaulted two adults, a male and a female, while in possession of a knife and then fled. The information also indicated that he may be in possession of a firearm.

RCMP officers from Thompson, along with Police Dog Services from The Pas, responded to the incident.

When officers arrived in the area, community members advised that they had confronted the suspect and taken his firearm. During the confrontation the firearm discharged, however, nobody was injured. It was also reported that the suspect had access to additional firearms.

Officers made patrols throughout the community and followed up on all reported sightings. The RCMP Emergency Response Team(ERT), was deployed to Tadoule Lake, where they arrived around 8:00 pm.

Efforts to locate the suspect continued throughout the night and into the next day, but were unsuccessful.

On Friday, ERT had to redeploy on another call so additional RCMP resources were brought into the community to assist.

At approximately 8:00 pm , RCMP officers received information on the location of the suspect.

Officers immediately responded and located the armed suspect outside of a residence in the community. As officers tried to get the suspect to drop the weapon through verbal commands, the male suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Officers provided first aid, and transported him to the nursing station, where he was pronounced deceased.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has been notified and will be investigating.

Planning for this year’s Winterfest is underway, and the committee organizing the event shared what they have on the docket so far.

The events coordinator for the City of Thompson, Darlene Dick, says some of the activities planned for Winterfest include contests, a scavenger hunt, a take-out pancake breakfast, and a fireworks display.

Dick explains the committee is planning mostly virtual and outdoor events that comply with COVID-19 protocols.

The Winterfest Planning Committee is still looking for people interested in helping out with the event, and those interested can reach out to 204-677-7969 for more information.

Winterfest weekend will take place from Feb. 25-27.

Listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for the full interview.

Manitoba Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Brent Roussin has announced COVID-19 guidance notification of close contacts by child care centres will no longer be required. 

He says attendance of children and staff will be based on symptom screening. 

Roussin explains child care providers should continue to monitor daily for symptoms before attending either a child care centre or a home based child care facility. 

He says children or staff exposed to COVID-19 in the child care and school setting may continue to attend if they remain asymptomatic but very close monitoring for symptoms. 

Roussin adds child care centres will monitor absenteeism and numbers of positive test results reported by staff and families. If there is a significant increase in COVID-19 in a cohort they can connect with a local public health officer for additional guidance.

The guidance will take effect this Friday.

On January 16, 2022, at approximately 10:40 pm, Gods Lake Narrows RCMP received a report of a pedestrian hit and run that occurred on the Main Road, on Gods Lake Narrows First Nation.

A 28-year-old female was walking on the Main Road near the Band Office, when a vehicle struck her and fled. She was injured and remained there for a period of time before help arrived.

She suffered serious injuries and was taken to the nursing station and later transported out of the community for treatment.

RCMP are asking the public for assistance in identifying the driver and vehicle involved in the collision.

The vehicle involved is described as dark in colour.

Anyone with information is asked to call Gods Lake Narrows RCMP at 204-335-2464, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Operations have resumed at the Leaf Rapids Health Centre following a nearly month-long hiatus.

According to a Northern Health Region notice, clinical services commenced yesterday afternoon, which includes the emergency department and primary care.

Additionally, Public Health is continuing all scheduled prenatal, postnatal, and in-home visits for immunizations, along with other public health activities.

The Leaf Rapids Health Centre closed temporarily on December 27^th due to staffing problems at the facility.

The Northern Health Region echoed their words from when the Gillam Hospital reopened earlier this month, stating the staffing situation at Leaf Rapids remains dicey.

However they add every effort is being made to maintain health services close to home.

Young artists in Thompson will have an opportunity to take part in a mentorship program to help with the next steps of their careers.

Artists involved will work with a mentor and have a chance to have a biography created for them, professional photos of them and their work taken, and their work featured on the Mall of the Arts website.

They will also have an opportunity to be on the organization’s upcoming northern artists documentary and make connections with other artists.

Mall of the Arts Co-Founder Andria Stephens says this is big for local up-and-coming artists as they have the chance to expand their reach.

Applications for the mentorship program have to be in by January 31^st, and those interested can call 204-939-0274.

With over 29 hundred signatures and counting for its online petition, a citizen group comprised of northern Manitobans are looking to get the provincial government to make improvements to Highway 6.

#SaferHighway6 launched the petition after the tragic accident on the highway that resulted in the death of Thompson MLA Danielle Adams.

Volker Beckmann, one of the organizers, states in a news release that Adams is one of many northerners who’ve died along the 750 kilometre stretch of highway, adding the personal, social, health, and economic  costs are unacceptable.

The group is calling on Premier Heather Stefanson’s government to fund and implement a three-year plan to improve Highway 6, including passing lanes every 50 kilometres, shoulders wide enough for drivers to park off roads safely, and lay-bys to rest stops.

It also urges the province to consider following the two-plus-one lane approach, which consists of two lanes in one direction and one lane in the other that alternates every few kilometres that allows for faster vehicles to overtake slower traffic at regular intervals.

MKO’s Grand Chief is once again sounding the alarm for the need to re-evaluate how health care is delivered at the Leaf Rapids Health Centre.

Garrison Settee says his organization met with the Northern Health Region along with Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin to discuss the re-opening of the facility.

He explains the meeting was positive as they discussed the need to transform the health service delivery model in the community to a primary care model in the longer term, and that MKO and KIM pressed for urgent action to resume operations at the health centre.

Settee adds MKO plans to address the lack of PPE, masks, and rapid tests within the community by working to source these items on an urgent basis, with an MKO staff member delivering the supplies directly to the community as the Leaf Rapids post office is currently closed and there’s no bus service in the community.

He goes on to once again urge provincial Health Minster Audrey Gordon to meet with MKO to discuss the situation in Leaf Rapids, adding that he’s yet to receive any reply or acknowledgement of his letter that he sent last week.

A press release signed by half of the Thompson city council is imploring City of Thompson administration to “immediately return to the committee tables, resume direct communication and information sharing with council and the public”.

The statement was signed by Councillors Jeff Fountain, Duncan Wong, Les Ellsworth, and Earl Colbourne.

The release claims a number of issues have cropped up that have resulted in what’s being described as a “complete breakdown” in communication and cooperation between administration and council, with allegations of harassment and disrespectful conduct directed at some councillors by admin staff.

The councillors state they don’t believe disagreements and tough questions constitute harassment or disrespect, and that they shouldn’t be expected to “blindly accept the whims of administration and a few influential council members”.

When asked for comment, the city says council is regularly briefed and connected to administration by the city manager, who’s the council’s sole direct employee.

It adds committee meetings had been on hold as mayor and council considered a structure change from multiple standing committees to a “committee of the whole” format, and council will provide direction to admin to resume committee meetings.

The city says there are currently a number of active workplace misconduct investigations, however HR matters are confidential and can’t be further commented on.

Community Futures North Central Development is hosting a community conversation on climate change and its links to income security and community resiliency.

Michelle Pruder, a business economic officer with the organization, explains the session will be two and half hours that focuses on how communities can adapt to climate change while still maintaining or building economic security.

She adds these topics are top of mind for board members and partner communities, citing wild fires, hotter summers, and winter roads.

Pruder encourages all northerners to consider attending the session, as they want to hear different perspectives on these topics.

The community conversation, which is hosted in partnership with The Green Resilience Project, will be held Jan. 26from 6 to 8:30 p.m, and is open to all northerners.

To sign up or learn more, call 204-677-1490.

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 for the full interview.

UPDATE: Magdalena Rzemislawska has been safely located. The RCMP thanks the public and the media for their assistance.

On January 11, 2022, at approximately 10:00 am, Thompson RCMP received a report of a missing 70-year-old female.

Magdalena Rzemislawska was last seen on January 8, 2022, at approximately 9:45 am, at a shelter on Churchill Drive, in Thompson.

Magdalena is 5'6", 162 lbs, with shoulder length grey hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a dark blue jacket, camouflage pants and brown work boots. Magdalena does not speak any english but has a noticeable accent. It is also believed that Magdalena speaks polish.

RCMP are concerned for her safety. If you have any information on her whereabouts please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6911, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

A special regular meeting of council was held yesterday pertaining to concerns some councillors brought forward to city administration on utilities.

Councillors reported that they’ve had residents and business owners reach out to them regarding missing meters, areas not metering, and inconsistencies on water bills.

One of the questions addressed in the presentation was whether there was a system in place to appeal billing issues.

CAO Anthony McInnis states while there currently isn’t a formal process for appeals as per city bylaws, they can technically be made to council or to the Public Utilities Board.

The meeting ended with city council voting in favour of a motion to get the city to look into establishing a complaints and appeals system where people can bring utility billing issues forward.

A statement from the Manitoba Liberals explains the party will be standing down in the upcoming Thompson by-election.

Leader Dougald Lamont says Danielle Adams, the former NDP MLA who died in a vehicle collision last month, would have held her seat until the next general election in 2023.

Lamont states given the tragic circumstances of Adam’ passing, the party believes this is “the right and honourable thing to do”.

He goes on to encourage the Progressive Conservatives to consider doing the same.

Thompson is one of two constituencies pending a by-election, the other being Fort Whyte in Winnipeg which was left vacant after former Premier Brian Pallister resigned last year.

A date for the by-election has yet to be announced.

The Thompson Pentecostal Assembly is looking to make a second trip down to Cuba to assist locals impacted by food insecurity and lack of medical supplies.

Pastor Mel Versluis explains the trip was originally planned for March of 2020, but that was hampered by the COVID-19 shutdowns across the globe.

Versluis says the team of five people are looking to help expand on the projects they began working on during their first trip in 2019.

That includes building an expansion for a chicken farm and making a concrete pond to begin raising fish.

He adds the team will be taking donations of medical supplies with them on the trip such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, vitamins, cold medication, band aids, and first aid ointment.

Donations can be dropped off at the church on 126 Goldeye Crescent.

For more information on the Thompson Pentecostal Assembly’s trip to Cuba, tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is issuing a statement on COVID-19 in Northern Manitoba.

“A growing number of MKO First Nations are being impacted by rising rates of COVID-19,” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “As we can see from high numbers right across the Province of Manitoba, the new Omicron variant is having a major impact on Manitoba residents. I am concerned about rising COVID cases in Northern Manitoba and will meet with MKO leaders on January 7 to discuss next steps in the ongoing battle against COVID-19.”

The response to COVID-19 is evolving rapidly in the province. As of January 5, 2022, the province is shifting to providing Rapid Antigen Tests for Manitoba residents having COVID-19 symptoms who are ages 5 and older.

Results from rapid tests are not being reported in updates from the province. Public health officials announced that people who test positive on Rapid Antigen Tests are not required to do a PCR test (lab confirmation). There is a significant backlog in receiving test results from COVID-19 swabs done at testing sites.

Indigenous Services Canada has shared it is in the process of shipping 100 kits of rapid tests to each First Nation in Manitoba this week. MKO does not have information of how many rapid tests are being sent to each MKO First Nation.

At least 10 MKO First Nations have put travel restrictions and/or lock downs in place, as follows:

• Barren Lands First Nation (Brochet)
• Bunibonibee Cree Nation (Oxford House)
• God’s Lake First Nation (God’s Lake Narrows)
• Northlands First Nation (Lac Brochet)
• Manto Sipi Cree Nation (God's River)
• Marcel Colomb First Nation (Lynn Lake)
• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House)
• Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake)
• Sayisi Dene Denesuline Nation (Tadoule Lake)
• Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake)

Several MKO First Nations have also declared a state of emergency for their communities as case numbers rise.

“The Omicron variant has been making its way through Manitoba in an unprecedented way,” shared Grand Chief Settee. “Our leaders are working tirelessly to contain the spread of COVID-19 and ensure essential services are available to community members. I urge MKO citizens to continue to do their part to stop the transmission of COVID-19 by limiting contacts, reducing non-essential travel, and by getting vaccinated. I especially encourage MKO citizens to join me in getting their COVID-19 booster when they are eligible to receive it. Data shows that if you get the virus, you will face less severe outcomes if you have received your third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.”

MKO is concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on Manitoba’s health care system, including a reduction of health services, backlog in surgeries and diagnostic services, and the closures of health care facilities such as the recent closures in Leaf Rapids and Gillam.

“As First Nations see a surge in COVID-19 cases, MKO continues to advocate for surge support,” said Grand Chief Settee. “We know surge supports are not as robust as they were in earlier waves. It is important for MKO to ensure our communities have access to supports, however, we understand this may be a significant challenge with an overwhelmed health care system.”

MKO has been working with other First Nation organizations along with provincial and federal partners to ensure communities have access to necessary resources.

Protocols are changing fast. MKO First Nations are working to adapt. Many First Nations have implemented measures that go beyond public health orders, by implementing curfews, reducing business hours, and moving to remote work to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Some First Nations have also received the Monoclonal Antibody treatment to administer to people who are over the age of 18 and have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This is a treatment option for individuals who have underlying health conditions.

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For more information:

Melanie Ferris, MKO Communications

Phone: 204-612-1284                                                         

Email: melanie.ferris@mkonorth.com

Web: http://mkonation.com/

A northern First Nation has called a state of emergency as cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spike across the province.

Tataskweyak Cree Nation Chief Doreen Spence explains in a press release the “alarming rapid increase” of new positive COVID-19 cases in the community leaves them unprepared, as they lack adequate supplies, facilities, and staff to address the situation.

Spence says they’re requesting help in food security, perimeter security, and funding for staff.

She noted a recent fire in TCN ravaged what remained of their stock of PPE and cleaning supplies.

Spence states a request for rapid surge capacity support has also been put in.

An electronics company has awarded the Paint Lake Volunteer Fire Department with ten thousand dollars in communications products.

JVC Kenwood Canada’s Kenwood Cares grant awards a non-profit volunteer organization every year.

Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Barlow says the department operates a command vehicle and two fire trucks, and use pumps that draw water from Paint Lake and Liz Lake in order to control fires.

Barlow explains their relay system uses visual hand signals, which are often hampered by obstacles, smoke, darkness, and noise from the pumps.

He goes on to say the radios the department will receive through the grant will greatly improve communication on the fire line.