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The Manitoba Métis Federation announced yesterday that they have withdrawn from the Métis National Council.
A lot went into this decision, but President of the MMF David Chartrand says this choice is about protecting the Métis identity,
"It's been a concern for the Métis citizens of Manitoba for some time now. When you look at the concept of what was happening to Ontario, where they were not abiding with the definition and starting to actually increase their numbers by bringing in new people of mixed blood ancestry, which are not our people. If you look at the census of 2006, the Métis population in Ontario grew by 252 percent, and in 2016 it grew by another 51 percent. So you look at it, Ontario is bringing in people by the thousands and thousands that are not our people." Chartrand continued, "When you look at what we have developed as a people, as a nation, it's protecting our culture and identity. That was the reason the formation of the MNC was established in 1983, so we could make sure we could protect Métis history, culture and the identity of our homeland, and now our homeland is all the way to Quebec, according to Ontario. Those are not our people; there's no connection historically, in any story of culture connection, none exists with them."
The president of the MMF noted this decision stemmed from frustration,
"Nobody wanted to be Métis before, but now we are making such great strides, and the wind sails are strong behind us; everybody now wants a piece of what we have been able to achieve. But we suffered two hundred and something years to get here, and now they are trying to steal our identity, steal our culture and steal our future, and we are not going to let that happen."
Chartrand says that he believes the reason why so many people want to claim Métis citizenship is solely for financial benefit.
He carried on about his displeasure with the situation,
"People want to understand what the difference is between them and us. It's all Red River, it all comes from here, this is where our nation was formed, and when you look at Eastern Canada, Ottawa, or Killarney, or outside of Toronto in Simcoe, all those places they are trying to bring in, there is not one connection."
Moving forward, President Chartrand says the MMF has a plan for international, national and provincial affairs, adding that the MMF has the intelligence to continue to thrive after leaving the MNC.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
A 26-year-old was fined $1,268 after travelling 193 km per hour on Highway 6.
He was stopped by Lundar RCMP last night around 12:00.
The man was also given a serious offence notice for a licence review with MPI.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The 2021 'Summer of Yard Series' has come to an end and for Johnny Pacey, this summer may have been the best one to date.
The musician from Dauphin did 10 shows in Dauphin and he was also joined by a few other musicians throughout the summer months.
Johnny was raising money for the Dauphin Food Bank this summer and to date, he's raised $250. Although he won't host any more live shows, for now, you can still donate to the cause by reaching out to Pacey on Facebook.
When deciding where he wanted to donate the money raised from his shows, Johnny say choosing the Food Bank in town was a no-brainer.
"I'm all about feeding people, everyone needs to eat," said Pacey. "If I can help someone get a meal, I'm all for it. Any chance that I can get to raise money and awareness for the food bank, it's definitely near and dear to my heart."
Pacey has spent most of his life in Dauphin and he says that won't change as this is home. So that means next summer, be on the lookout for Pacey as he will be back outside performing live for all of Dauphin to hear. After all, jazz music is his love.
"Jazz music has been and will continue to be my first love in my life, music in general," ended Pacey. "There are days that I can tell I'm having a bad day or something and I'll go downstairs and play a few tunes, then all of a sudden things are back to normal."
Johnny will hand over the money raised to the food bank in the next couple of weeks as donations continue to roll in.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The first National day for Truth and Reconciliation is coming up tomorrow.
While it is a day off for some, it should also be one of reflection, says the province's NDP leader Wab Kinew,
"The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which most students and teachers are probably familiar with as orange shirt day, is a chance for us to reflect and to learn about the history of residential schools and then to work together to make a Manitoba and a Canada where we live up to that saying where every child matters."
Mr. Kinew covered what he thinks is the next step in progressing towards reconciliation,
"We've all been moved this summer by the disclosures of the children who were found at former residential school sites. So I think some of the most urgent work that needs to happen is just to ensure that we are properly searching those former sites and then figuring out a way to commemorate and honour those children." Wab carried on, "Then going forward. I think we just want to make sure we have a health care system and a school system that works for all kids in Manitoba so that everyone, indigenous students, non-indigenous student's, people from all backgrounds, can reach their full potential."
Kinew noted what the day is all about,
"I'd hope that Manitobans do put on an orange shirt and as you go about your day and spend some time with your family, set aside a bit of time just to reflect on what it means and what we have learned this year so that hopefully we can all move forward together in a good way."
Wab says he encourages people from across the province to reflect on the importance of family, and at some point Thursday, think about the lost children who never made it home.
As for Kinew's plans for tomorrow, he says he will be spending it with family, going to a pow-wow in Winnipeg.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
UPDATE---- Dauphin Fire Crews finished fighting a fire along Vermilion River around 11:30 last night.
Dauphin Fire Department was called to the fire at around 1:00 p.m.
While they were putting out that fire, they were dispatched to a report of vehicles on fire in the Eclipse area at around 4:40 p.m.
The fire in the Eclipse area was contained within an hour but several outbuildings, contents, and vehicles in the yard were lost.
Members of the Ochre River Fire Department helped fight the blaze.
The vehicle fire was contained within an hour, there are no injuries to report, and no estimates on damages at this time.
The cause of the fire along the Vermillion River is still under investigation.
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UPDATE----The Dauphin Fire Department was dispatched to a report of multiple vehicles on fire this evening in a yard in the Eclipse area.
Units responded from both Fire Station.
The Ochre River Fire Department supported a request for Mutual Aid to assist with their tanker to supply water in suppression efforts.
The fire in the Eclipse area was contained within an hour, but several buildings, contents and vehicles in the yard were lost.
There are no estimates on damages at this time and no injuries to report.
The cause of the fire is accidental, and Crews remain on scene along Vermilion River at this time.
Additional updates will be provided as more information comes in.
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Emergency crews are on the scene of a fire in the Eclipse area, just outside of Dauphin.
The firefighters are currently fighting the blaze that is inside a barn, and the fire has spread to other areas of the property.
Police are also on the scene and when driving, reduce your speed.
We will provide more when we can.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
UPDATE----The RCMP is reporting minor physical injuries after a two-vehicle collision this morning at the intersection of Bond Street and River Avenue.
A vehicle travelling northbound on Bond Street entered the intersection and collided with a vehicle travelling eastbound on River.
Nobody was transported to the hospital, no tickets were issued, no vehicles were towed, and the intersection is now clear.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
The Manitoba government wants feedback from campers and provincial park users.
This is in an effort to improve the experience of using the parks Reservation Service to make campground reservations.
Last spring, Manitoba saw a record number of people trying to reserve campsites.
The province wants to improve the booking process to make it easier for campers in the short term while working toward replacing the old system.
The Engage MB survey can be found here.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Water rates are set to increase slightly in Dauphin.
The City of Dauphin held a special council meeting yesterday where a bylaw to establish water and wastewater rates was approved.
The new rates will cost consumers a minimum of $6 more per quarter.
The increase comes into effect on October 1st.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Premier Kelvin Goertzen, alongside Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere, announced In a press release yesterday that the Manitoba government is recognizing September 27th to October 1st as Truth and Reconciliation Week.
Premier Goertzen touched on the spirit of reconciliation,
“As Manitobans and Canadians, we have a collective responsibility to acknowledge and learn from the mistakes of our past so that we can move forward together in the spirit of reconciliation. Our government is committed to working with Indigenous leadership, communities, survivors, elders and knowledge keepers to chart a new path forward based on healing, mutual respect and common understanding.”
Reconciliation Minster Lagimodiere hopes this will bring further change,
“This is a listening and learning process that must go beyond a week of recognition. We are committed to continuing to engage in an open and honest dialogue with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to inspire positive change throughout our province and country.”
The House of Commons unanimously passed a bill earlier this year to establish September 30th as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
The regularly scheduled meeting covered many topics, including this year's school plan, public health orders on COVID-19 Testing, Municipality taxes, and Truth and Reconciliation Day.
A big issue brought up was when the property tax statements from municipalities within the division were discussed.
Most tax statements were consistent with previous years, except for Grandview, whose property tax report is seeing an increase of 740 percent.
Up from $5,783.16 last year to $42,697.35 this year.
This change would result in a budget overage for property taxes of approximately 37 percent.
The explanation provided on this tax situation to the division had to do with "the municipal amalgamation and harmonization of differentiated mill rates."
The division is seeking further clarity on this topic.
One of the other topics reviewed in the meeting was Truth and Reconciliation day coming up on Thursday.
Superintended Dan Ward outlined what the plan is for September 30th,
"The province has directed school divisions to close schools for that day in recognition of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We don't have information on subsequent years, but there will be something forthcoming whether the province declares that to be a statutory, whether it's going to be a professional development day we are not sure, but we will receive direction from the government prior to next fall."
Mr. Ward said on behalf of the school division he would be bringing greetings to the Dauphin Friendship Centre for their ceremony on Thursday.
The next meeting is set to take place on October 12th.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
