Residential School Survivors Heading West

Many people are still trying to come to terms with last week's shocking discovery of 751 unmarked graves at a cemetery near the former Marieval Indian Residential School, which is 95 km south of Yorkton.

Before the discovery in Cowessess, 215 children's remains were found at the former site of the Kamloops Residential School. For Geraldine Shingoose, the past several weeks have been extremely tough as she is a residential school survivor.

So Geraldine, Vivan Ketchum, and Chickadee Richard are now making their way to Kamloops to show their support, both Vivian and Chickadee are also residential school survivors. Chickadee attended the Sandy Bay Residential School for about five years while Vivian spent four years at a residential school.

They will head to the Cowessess First Nation first, before continuing their trip. They will make a public appearance alongside community members and they have brought sacred bundles from their territory, which they will present.

"We want to show our support for all affected, we want them to know that they're not alone," said Shingoose.

Items in the sacred bundles include a Treaty 1 territory flag, a Métis sash, child and infant moccasins, a child's star blanket, an eagle feather, a child's orange T-shirt, a medicine bag, and painted rocks.

Shingoose says travelling with Vivian and Chickadee provides her with the strength needed during what she calls a 'tough' time.

"We support each other and that's so important," ended Shingoose. "We believe we're going to be able to bring that strength and comfort to our two stops."

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jun 29, 2021 - 5:00 am

There are a limited number of Moderna walk-in spots at the Swan River vaccine clinic today and tomorrow.

Today’s walk-in hours were extended until 5:30 p.m.

Tomorrow first dose clients can get the vaccine from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and second dose clients can get the vaccine from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The clinic is located at the Veterans Hall at 119 6^th Avenue north.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jun 28, 2021 - 4:08 pm

The City of Dauphin and the Dauphin Fire Department are hosting a Canada Day Drive-In Fireworks display at the Dauphin Memorial Community Centre this Thursday at 10:45 p.m.

The Gilbert Plains Rec Department is hosting a drive-in fireworks display at the Gilbert Plains Fair Grounds on Thursday at 11:00 p.m.

Old September in Gilbert Plains will also be giving out free cupcakes and lemonade from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Both fireworks events are drive-in only, and all attendees must stay in their vehicles.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jun 28, 2021 - 2:26 pm

Young Manitobans aged 12 to 17 can book COVID-19 first and second-dose vaccine appointments again.

The date of the second appointment must be at least 28 days after the first vaccination.

All supersites are now booking Pfizer appointments for the end of July.

A total of 1,329,689 doses of vaccine have been administered in Manitoba.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jun 28, 2021 - 2:08 pm

A private member's bill that will reduce the amount of taxes paid by someone selling their farm or business to a family member was recently approved by the senate.

Bill C-208 was re-introduced by Brandon-Souris MP Larry Maguire last February, and it amends the federal income tax act by reducing the amount of taxes paid by those selling their farm or business to a family member.

Maguire says this bill was originally introduced in 2017.

“Mr. Caron, the interim leader for the NDP brought it forward in 2017, but he wasn’t successful in the last election, and I was drawn early to be able to bring a private members bill forward, and I discussed it with him, and brought it forward again to make sure we could get it reintroduced in the House of Commons.”

Right now when a person sells their small business or farm to a family member, the difference between the sale price and the original purchase price is considered a dividend, but if the business or farm is sold to a non-family member, the sale is considered as a capital gain, which is taxed at a lower rate and lets the seller use their lifetime capital gains exemption.

Maguire says this bill makes things fairer for people who would want to buy a farm or businesses from their family.

“All it does is level the playing field. There’s no big advantage for anybody in this it just levels the playing field for your family members as opposed to selling to a stranger.”

Over 95 percent of Canadian farms are owned and operated by Canadian farm families.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jun 28, 2021 - 1:40 pm

Main street south in Dauphin, from 9^th avenue south to 11^th avenue south is currently blocked off.

The City of Dauphin says this is to begin the water main renewal on the 1^st block of 10^th avenue southwest.

This part of Main Street will be closed for the first few days of construction, the City says to be prepared to detour.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jun 28, 2021 - 9:16 am

It is certainly the week to always have plenty of water and to keep in mind the signs of heatstroke.

Today's high is 26 and the rest of the week will see temperatures in the 30s.

It's recommended that you avoid working or exercising outside during this week's heatwave. If you can't avoid it, take regular breaks, drink lots of water, and avoid high-protein foods.

It's always important to apply sunscreen to your skin prior to being outside and if you plan on being outside for an extended period of time, re-apply the sunscreen as needed. And it's recommended that you wear loose-fitting clothes, a brimmed hat, and sunglasses.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jun 28, 2021 - 5:27 am

The Severe thunderstorm watch has ended.

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There’s a severe thunderstorm watch in effect for the Parkland.

The watch is in effect for:

Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

Things are expected to clear up later this evening, with sunny and hot days all of next week.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jun 27, 2021 - 9:39 pm

Brandon University is pausing its classes on Friday, July 2^nd for a day of mourning and Reflection.

This comes as unmarked graves continue to be discovered at former residential schools.

The latest discovery was at Cowessess First Nation, about an hour south of Yorkton.

Brandon University President David Docherty ordered that all campus flags be lowered to half-mast through and past Canada. This includes the three new Indigenous flags that were recently hoisted.

“Indigenous people were targeted by the racist and colonial policies that supported such schools, where the wholesale destruction of Indigenous cultures was the terrible goal, and where Indigenous lives were treated with utter and sickening disregard. We cannot and must not look away from those truths.”

Docherty issued a challenge to staff, faculty, and students to spend the day on reconciliatory work.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jun 27, 2021 - 10:00 am

Dauphin’s supersite is taking Moderna walk-ins today, and into next week.

Walk-ins are taking place Sunday to Wednesday, and Friday.

First dose clients are prioritized and will be able to get their shot from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and second and first dose clients can get their shot from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Consent forms are required for first and second dose appointments and can be found here.

Scheduled appointments can also be booked online, or by calling 1-844-626-8222.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Jun 27, 2021 - 9:38 am

The government of Manitoba is extending the state of emergency.

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler made the announcement, saying it’s in an effort to continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

“Our government has launched its safe summer reopening plan to allow for more openings and fewer restrictions, but we need Manitobans to continue to follow the fundamentals and get vaccinated.”

The extension goes into effect this Sunday at 4 p.m. for a period of 30 days.