This Saturday marks the start of National Fishing Week.

Mike Melnik with the Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation says the focus of this year’s campaign is how fishing presents an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones.

“Whether it’s the first time that they are doing it or maybe they discovered fishing during Covid and that’s quite possible, we want those people to keep going and discover even more experiences with recreational fishing. Maybe it’s travelling to a lodge, which would be just awesome! We want people to reconnect with that passion of fishing and reconnect with each other too. I think a lot of us will admit that even though we’ve had people around us for the past couple of years, there has been a feeling of isolation and that can have a huge mental health impact.”

Melnik also encourages avid fishers to get more people in their lives into the hobby.

This year, National Fishing Week runs from July 2^nd to the 10^th.

For more on National Fishing Week listen to the full interview with Melnik on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Wise Kid-Netic Energy is returning to Thompson with two camp programs for youth to take part in this summer.

The STEM camps for kids 9 to 12 are back, alongside a new program called TechToks for youth ages 13 to 15.

Instead of a week-long camp, TechTok participants can pick and choose which of the eight sessions they’d like to take part in.

The organization’s Caleigh Bell states these camps are a unique opportunity for youth in our community to learn more about STEM topics in ways that may not otherwise be available to them.

“It’s really important for us as one of our hopes is to reach youth all around Manitoba so that’s why we like to travel to Northern communities like Thompson. Places where maybe opportunities like this don’t exist year round or aren’t as readily. We want to give all youth the opportunity to try their hand at this and see if it ignites a passion in them.”   

For more on the STEM camps, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Or visit the Wise Kid-Netic Energy website.

Thompson will be home to the second Fabrication Lab in the province, with its grand opening taking place tomorrow.

The lab’s services and training is being offered through North Forge North, which Operations Manager Don Glen a.k.a. Shorty explains.

“It’s an entrepreneurial incubator and accelerator. Some people’s eyes glaze over when you say that term. If you are an entrepreneur with an idea for a prototype or you want to do a small manufacturing run, North Forge provides the facilities and the equipment to undertake that. We can help you build a prototype or do a small manufacturing run to test the market before you enter it and invest in a whole bunch of equipment and then find out if it doesn’t work out.”

Glen says he’s excited about the potential of this initiative, as it gives northerners the chance to have access to resources that otherwise wouldn’t be available.

The facility, which is on Hayes Road, will include metal and woodworking, 3D printing, laser engraving, and vinyl cutting.

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 for more on the North Forge North Fabrication Lab.

After two years of virtual events, this year’s Canada Day celebrations in Thompson are returning to in-person festivities this Friday at the TRCC.

The day will start with the pancake breakfast, followed by the Junk in the Trunk Community Sale and the Bring Your Bloomers contest.

Following the greetings that will be delivered by local dignitaries at 1 p.m, the rest of the afternoon will be filled with performances alongside the Playland bouncy house and Multicultural Foods and Crafts sale.

The day then wrap up at dusk with a fireworks display.

The city is also encouraging residents to reflect on past injustices towards the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, and has a number of resources available on Canada day thompson DOT ca for those who wish to learn more about the country’s history.

For more information, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon

The Northern Health Region’s Helga Bryant will be retiring as the organization’s CEO next spring.

A press release from the NRHA states Bryant will remain in the role until March 30^th, 2023.

NRHA Board Chair Cal Huntley says details of the search for the next CEO will commence shortly once a board committee has been struck.

Bryant has served as CEO for two northern RHAs for the past twelve years, which is part of her 47-year career in health care as a registered nurse.

She says it’s been an honour working with health professionals throughout the NRHA, and adds that she plans on dedicating all of her remaining months in the role working on Indigenous reconciliation efforts.

Approximately 155 students are expected to graduate from RD Parker Collegiate this year, and there will be a bit of a return to normal for next week’s grad ceremony.

Kelly Scallion, Teaching Vice Principal at the high school, says there are three ways families can experience the ceremony next Wednesday.

The first is in person at the CA Nesbitt Arena at the TRCC, the second is via a large screen set up at the RD Parker teachers’ parking lot, and the third is through a YouTube live stream.

Scallion says she’s grateful that the school has the opportunity to celebrate this year’s grads in person after over two years of COVID-19 lockdowns.

“It’s such an important event and to have everybody to be able to celebrate in person together is huge. We’re thankful that everybody has been so supportive and understanding over the time we had in COVID but it’s going to be really great to be able to celebrate as a community, as a family and as teachers and students. I think bringing everybody back together and having that little bit of sense of, “okay we did this, we got through it and now we can celebrate together.” I think that’s really important for our grads and also for the people who support them.”

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for more on this year’s grad ceremony.

MLA-Elect Eric Redhead will be sworn in as the representative for the Thompson Constituency tomorrow.

The New Democrat won the Thompson Byelection earlier this month with over 14 hundred votes, beating out PC candidate Charlotte Laroque who received 581 votes.

The byelection had a voter turnout of 19-point-three-four per cent, with nearly 21 hundred votes cast out of a pool of 10 thousand, seven hundred registered voters.

The byelection was held to fill the seat vacated by the death of former NDP MLA Danielle Adams

The ceremony will be at the provincial legislature in Winnipeg, and is slated to start at noon.

Flying Nickel Mining has announced that its completed its first drilling program at its nickel sulphide project.

The Minago project is located in the Thompson nickel belt south of the Manibridge nickel deposit.

The company says in a press release that two of its six infill drill holes intercepted wide disseminated nickel mineralization at the project’s nose deposit.

It adds the remaining holes targeted the north limb deposit, which Flying Nickel claims has the highest near-term resource expansion potential and limited historic drilling.

Minago’s first drilling program consisted of over 28 hundred meters of drilling, and initial drill results are expected in early July.

The Honourary King Miner and Honourary Driller were announced at last night’s Nickel Days President’s Reception.

Wes Haney was named Honourary King Miner at the event, alongside Tom Flett who was recognized as Honourary Driller.

The President’s Reception precedes the Nickel Days Fair kick-off, which will be this afternoon at 4 p.m. at the TRCC.

Nickel Days runs from today until Sunday.

The Mall of the Arts will be hosting a couple of workshops next week called West Africa Talking Drum.

The workshops will be conducted by Doctor Joseph Atoyebi, a professor at UCN’s The Pas campus, who will teach participants about history of the Yoruba tribe’s drumming culture.

Atoyebi describes the style of drumming is akin to a language, as it mimics the rhythmic raise and fall of words in the Yoruba language.

Those interested in taking part can visit mallofthearts.com to register for the workshops, which will take place June 30^th and July 1^st.

Hear the full interview on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for more information.

Sport Manitoba has recently revamped the way they address mistreatment and misconduct in sport.

President and CEO Janet McMahon says their Pathway to Safer Sport is a framework of tools, templates, and resources that assist Provincial Sport Organizations and all who participate in sport in Manitoba to create a safer sport system.

One aspect of this framework is the Safe Sport Line, which McMahon elaborates on here.

“We have a Safe Sport Line that people can call and at this point, they can email. A trusted, trained individual will speak to them about their issue might be and either provide some support to them or direct them where it’s best to land, whether it’s a complaint or an appeal or some kind of dispute. It’s just a trusted individual to talk about their situation.”

The Safe Sport Line can be accessed by phone at 1-833-656-SAFE or email at help at safesportline.ca.

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for more on the Pathway to Safer Sport.

The Nickel Days festival is back following two years of pandemic-related shutdowns.

Bruce Krentz, one of the Nickel Days committee members, explains what the Nickel Days weekend means for our city.

“In a lot of other places, the end of June isn’t necessarily a kick off to summer but for us in Thompson, it is the kick off to summer. School is ending and summer holidays are about to start and it’s really something to look forward to all year. It’s our biggest festival and it’s been going so long that it’s such a tradition and a feel good thing. There is a long running joke in town that it always rains on Nickel Days weekend and it maybe even snowed a couple of times but that still doesn’t take away from any of the fun and excitement. It’s really something for us all to look forward to after what is often a pretty cold winter, including this past one.”

Some of the attractions residents can look forward to include the midway fair, the Nickel Days social on Saturday night, as well as karaoke.

Thursday night is when the Nickel Days weekend kicks off.

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for more on Nickel Days.

After an incident in February where an Elder from Tataskweyak Cree Nation says he was racially profiled at a business in Thompson, a councillor from the community has organized a walk to bring awareness to racial profiling experienced by Indigenous people.

Edwin Beardy, who suffers from a muscular condition that affects his face and legs, was at The Brick to purchase a bed when a staff member accused him of being intoxicated.

The furniture company has since said that staff would undergo sensitivity training and would issue an apology to Beardy and the community.

TCN Councillor Theresa Garson calls Beardy’s experience -quote- “totally unacceptable”, and that it needs to be addressed collectively.

The walk is expected to be held Monday afternoon starting at the MKO building and ending at The Brick.

National Indigenous People’s Day is returning to an in-person format following two years of virtual events.

Organizer Gina Spence with MKO says the day is an opportunity for people to learn about Indigenous culture, history, and languages.

Activities taking place over the course of the day include the sunrise pipe ceremony, the Soaring Eagle Awards, and the raising of the Indigenous flag at City Hall.

Here, Spence shares where the event will be taking place.

“So this year will be at McLean Park at City Hall and it will be on June 21^st, 2022, which is Tuesday. We’re welcoming anybody and everybody to all of our events to learn and to have fun.”

Tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for more information.

UCN and the University of Manitoba’s Northern Social Work Program are hosting a talk this week about mindful decolonization.

Speaker Doctor Michael Yellow Bird, dean and professor of the Faculty of Social work at the U of M, explains what mindful decolonization entails.

“Mindful decolonization is taking contemplative practises and using them and engaging people. Using contemplative practises to begin to address some of the traumas that have resulted from colonization. Any kinds of trauma that have impacted people psychologically, emotionally, spiritually; any of those different ways and one engages in these particular kinds of practises to gain a sense of reconnection to themselves.”

The event will be held tomorrow evening from 6:30 to 8 at the UCN Lecture Hall and is free to attend.

To learn more, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Youth in Thompson have been making use of the Jumpstart Inclusive Multi Sport Court, which had its official grand opening yesterday.

The space was designed for organized sport and casual play that accommodates physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities partnered with local dealers Michael Howell and Robert Williams and the City of Thompson to develop the structure.

Inclusive play manager Lindsay Joseph says the court is the third of its kind Jumpstart has built in Canada, with a fourth to be built in Brandon later this year.

All Jumpstart courts include high contrast colours to support visual impairment, shaded accessible bleachers and double wide benches, and wheelchair accessible seating.

UPDATE: Carrigan Weenusk has been safely located.

The RCMP thanks the public and the media for their assistance.

On June 11, 2022, at approximately 6:50 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of a missing 15-year-old female from Thompson.

Carrigan Weenusk was last seen on June 9, 2022, walking alone in downtown Thompson. RCMP have made numerous patrols around Thompson looking for Weenusk. Police now believe she may be in Winnipeg.

Weenusk had been staying in contact with friends and family via text, but no communication has been received from her since June 12. Police and her family are concerned for her well-being.

She is described as 5’5” tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black sweatpants and a black jacket/hoodie.

If you have information, please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Following the public hearing for the City of Thompson’s financial plan last week, council will vote on it at tonight’s meeting.

This year’s plan has been budgeted at almost 55.9 million dollars.

One highlight of the budget was the municipal property tax freeze, meaning the mill rate will remain at 26-point-one-five.

City manager Anthony McInnis explained at the presentation this was made possible due to a withdrawal from the general reserve of just over 255 thousand dollars to fund operating expenses, increasing revenues based on the past year’s trends, and decreasing expenses.

Additionally, the business tax rate remains at three-point-nine-nine per cent and the special levy for water repairs is at 83 dollars and 75 cents.

The draft financial plan can be found on the City of Thompson’s website.

Manitoba’s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister made a stop in Thompson on Friday to announce the government is investing in overhauling the Miles Hart Bridge.

Doyle Piwniuk says 36 million dollars will go towards the project, which is slated to start this August and be completed by 2024.

Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook says talks to update the bridge have been going on since at least 2017, as it’s been a vital link between the city and surrounding communities for more than 50 years.

A press release from the province states the bridge rehabilitation represents an important investment in all-season access for residents for several communities like Nelson House, Leaf Rapids, and Lynn Lake, the latter being the site of the Alamos gold mine exploration project.

The Alamos gold mine is projected to extract 145 thousand ounces of gold per year with expected mine life of twelve years that is said to create more than five hundred jobs.

The Leslie W. Turner Traditional Pow-wow is set to be held next weekend.

UCN’s cultural coordinator for the Thompson campus, Karl Laubmann [lawb-ma] says the theme for this year’s event is “honouring our children, graduates, and graduands”.

Laubmann explains the reason why the theme was chosen was because of the discovery of unmarked graves of Indigenous children who were forced to attend school at a residential school in BC, whom UCN wanted to honour.

He adds it’s also connected to the Truth and Reconciliation report that came out in 2015, specifically the section that addresses residential schools.

“We are going to be honouring the children, the parents and many of the graduates and granduands who either are first, second or even third residential school survivors which are children of parents or grandparents who went to these residential schools in Canada. We will also acknowledge all the graduates and graduands who are graduating this year.”

The Leslie W. Turner Traditional Pow-wow will take place at Wapanohk Community School on Saturday, June 18^th.

For more details, tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Local organizers have put together an in-person event for this year’s Relay for Life here in Thompson.

The Relay for Life is the Canadian Cancer Society’s annual fundraising event where participants gather and take turns walking around a track or path to highlight the need for action and perseverance needed to change the future of cancer.

Money raised from the relay goes towards cancer research, support services for patients, and trusted cancer information for all Canadians.

The Thompson Relay for Life will be held tomorrow from 6 p.m. to midnight at the TRCC.

Thompson RCMP will be participating in this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run as a way to support Special Olympics Manitoba and our local Special Olympics athletes.

Those interested in participating can meet up tomorrow at the TRCC back parking lot for the walk, which starts at 12:30.

Refreshments will be provided, and Law Enforcement Torch Run shirts will be for sale.

Thompson will be celebrating Pride Month this weekend with the return of the Pride Parade.

Pride North of 55’s Harlie Pruder explains what this year’s event will entail.

“On Saturday, June 11^th, we will be having a rally that’s starting at the TRCC and that will be starting at noon. It’s going to take place in the usual spot over in the parking lot. We’ll make a little map and put an x at where we are going to be meeting. We’ll be starting at the TRCC and then we are going to be having a parade down Thompson drive that will lead to McLean Park where we are planning our BBQ. Hopefully we will have some live performances and we’ll have a good old time.”

Following the march, there will be a ceremony to raise the Two-Spirit flag at city hall to recognize the Two-Spirit community in Thompson.

Catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon for more on this year’s Pride Month event.

It looks like the Manitoba NDPs are keeping their spot in the Thompson constituency,

The party has declared its candidate Eric Redhead as the victor of the election against Progressive Conservative Charlotte Larocque in the Thompson Byelection.

Both candidates were running to success former NDP MLA Danielle Adams, who was killed last December in a highway crash.

As of earlier this morning, Elections Manitoba is reporting that Redhead has received 1, 469 votes, while Larocque got 575.

According to Elections Manitoba, the official results of the Thompson Byelection won’t be verified until June 14^th.

The Keewatin Tribal Council is one of two Indigenous organizations in Manitoba that’s getting federal investment to increase the number of Indigenous emergency medical responders in Manitoba.

The money is supporting their Emergency Medical Responder and Medical Transportation Initiative, which provides skills and knowledge training for emergency response, management, and support in First Nations communities.

Four Arrows Regional Health Authority, which services the Island Lake area, also received funding.

KTC’s director of health John Spence says the program is the beginning of First Nations creating the capacity and infrastructure at the community level, in addition to the transfer of control of health services which are culturally safe and appropriate.

Residents of the Thompson constituency are heading to the polls today for the provincial by-election.

Only two parties are running candidates in the by-election. New Democrat Eric Redhead and Progressive Conservative Charlotte Laroque are vying to succeed former MLA Danielle Adams, who died in a highway crash in December.

Elections Manitoba is urging residents to check their voter information card to find out their polling location and to have the appropriate ID when they go to vote.

Visit electionsmanitoba.ca for more details.

The polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

As a way to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among northern Manitoba First Nations, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak has launched a new project.

Grand Chief Garrison Settee says Minoayawin Keewatinowi Askik  aims to identify barriers to accessing vaccines and providing trusted information to enable members to make informed choices to improve overall community wellness.

A vaccine toolkit will be developed and made available for First Nations towards the end of the project in early 2023.

The City of Thompson has kicked off its annual community clean-up.

Garbage bags and gloves are available at city hall and the public works office for participants.

Once a bag is full, they can be thrown out in a dumpster at a neighbourhood school at no cost.

Participants can enter for a chance to win prizes by taking a picture of their haul before they’re thrown out.

For more information call 204-677-7970 or find the City of Thompson on Facebook or Instagram.

The community clean-up runs until June 19^th.

The 46^th Northern Juried Art Show was held in Flin Flon this past weekend.

A handful of Thompson artists came away with accolades from the show, including Jan Hall who got first place in the Creative Fibre Art category, Adira Carter who got second in Photography, and Leigh Hall got third for Drawing and Printmaking.

Additionally, Marigold Carter got first place in the Youth 9 to 12 category.

This year, the Northern Juried Art Show saw 125 entries from across the north.

RD Parker Collegiate’s Connect Classroom is the recipient of 100 Women Who Care Thompson’s June donation.

The funding will go towards building a permanent teepee outside of the school for students and staff to use for alternative programming.

It will also be a space for Elders and Knowledge Keepers to build connections with students.

The next 100 Women Who Care Thompson meeting will be on September 14^th.

A candlelight vigil is to be held this weekend in honour of the mother of four who was killed last weekend in Winnipeg.

Tessa Perry, 31, was found injured on May 28, and later succumbed to her injuries in hospital.

Police have identified a suspect, who’s been charged with second degree murder.

MKO says Perry had roots in the north, as she had family ties in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and grew up in Thompson.

The candlelight vigil for Perry will be held at MacLean Park from 4 to 6 p.m. June 5.

Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is holding its annual Gutsy Walk to raise awareness and money for people living with IBD.

A virtual walk will be taking place in Thompson, where participants can walk, run, or bike any distance for the cause.

Here, the organization’s Darrah Horobetz explains the impact the Gutsy Walk has had since it started.

“The Gutsy Walk has raised over forty eight million dollars since it began. It allowed a bunch of different advances in research to improve the quality of life and allow us to fund different research projects that have contributed to different medications being developed for the different patients that are living with IBD. A lot of times there are people that will go through a number of medications and struggle to find on that works so we are always trying to find more. That way, if they hit the end of the road, there is maybe one or two more that might be a possibility for them.”

Over 8, 000 people in Manitoba live with some form of IBD.

The Gutsy Walk is taking place June 5.

Hear the full interview on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

MKO is looking for an up-and-coming Indigenous artist to work on a mural at the City Centre Mall.

The organization says the mural will reflect life in the north, which may include natural beauty, natural landscape, and historic relevance.

It adds the purpose of the mural is to display a snapshot of the community that make it unique.

The artist that’s selected will get $1, 0000 as a reward if they’re 18 and older. If they’re 17 and younger, the winner will be awarded a $1, 000 scholarship instead.

Those interested in applying for this opportunity can call Shyanna Lynxleg at 204-677-1600.

The deadline to apply is July 30^th, and the winner will be picked August 15^th.

The 37^th Annual RD Parker Collegiate Cabaret is tonight.

The concert is open to the public and is free to attend.

There will also be a recording of the performance available after the fact.

A canteen is to be held during the intermission, which is being run by the school’s Music Parents Association.

The RD Parker Collegiate Cabaret will begin at 7 p.m. at the Letkmann Theatre.