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The Manitoba Crop Alliance is looking for delegate nominees for their upcoming election.

There are 17 spots up for election, with five open for the Wheat/Barley Committee, and four open for each of the Corn, Flax, and Sunflower Committees. MCA Chair Robert Misko says it's a great opportunity for people to get involved in the organization.

"They have a few things they have to do, they recommend research and sort of go over what we're planning for the year in general. Then they also elect, amongst themselves, the directors of the board of MCA."

Nominations for the MCA Crop Committee delegate positions are due by October 30th at 4:30 p.m. MCA has compiled some commonly asked election questions, including how to register, and you can find them on their website here.

The Town of Langruth will be hosting their Harvest Festival today, October 1st, at the Langruth Sports Grounds from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

All the events will be free and there will be a canteen, featuring a pulled pork sandwich, on-site.

Michelle Teichroeb, one of the organizers, says that it will be a fun day for the family with a lot of activities for kids.

"We have bouncy castles... [a] hay-bale climbing structure... a petting zoo... hay rides... lots of... fun carnival-type games on the grounds... a raffle running," she adds.

Teichroeb went on to say that all the proceeds collected from the raffle, the bingo game and the cow paddy auction game fund their activities.

"Any proceeds that we make above the expenses of the day go into community projects," she adds.

More information can be found in the Langruth Happenings & Events, Langruth Mb Facebook group.

The Dauphin Derailleurs Cycle Club will be hosting a series of activities at the Northgate Trailhead today, October 1st.

The event will start with a group bike ride for all levels at 2 p.m., which will be followed by a barbecue at 3:30 p.m. and a performance by The Ben Sures Three from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Event Organizer Melissa Stefaniw says that the main goal of hosting the event is to showcase Northgate and celebrate the resiliency of the community.

"We wanted to get people out to actually gather face-to-face and enjoy the last days of summer... It's going to be a nice day... so we wanted to invite everyone out," she adds.

Being able to host an event like this makes Stefaniw feel fantastic.

"Northgate is really near and dear to my heart. I, personally,  was part of getting the project up and running... Now we're doing all kinds of programming up there, so we'd really like to get people out to enjoy the actual facilities that we have up there... You don't necessarily need to be on a bike or... be doing anything crazy active," she adds.

According to Melissa Stefaniw, all of the activities, including the barbecue, are free

Anyone looking to attend is being asked to bring a lawn chair.

More information can be found on the Dauphin Derailleurs Cycle Club Facebook page.

The Fisher Branch RCMP is asking for the public's help in identifying a vehicle and suspects in relation to a shot that had been fired at a home located near the Fisher River Cree Nation school.

Police received a report of the shot being fired at the residence yesterday, September 29th, at 8 a.m.

When officers arrived at the home, they noticed that its exterior had a bullet hole.

The RCMP say that the school nearby was placed under lockdown and that it was later closed by school officials.

They investigated further and determined that four males in a car drove up to the residence at around 4:30 a.m.

They also determined that one male exited the vehicle and shot towards the home before returning to the car and driving away.

According to the RCMP, nobody who was in the home at the time of the shooting was injured.

Anyone with information is being asked to call the Fisher Branch RCMP at 204-372-6329.

FRCN

Premier Heather Stefanson and Indigenous Reconciliation & Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere have released a statement with regards to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The statement follows:

Today, we recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and we encourage all Manitobans to participate in meaningful conversations about residential schools and their tragic and enduring legacies on First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a crucial day to remember the experiences of residential school survivors and their families. By taking part in conversations and activities, we all honour the healing journey of survivors and commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

As Manitobans and Canadians, we all have a role to play in the reconciliation process for Indigenous people who have suffered the physical and emotional trauma of the residential school system, and the legacy of intergenerational trauma that exists today. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation brings us one step further in the healing process. It is a day for truth-telling and reflection about the trauma faced by Indigenous people and their families, and to build a bridge to a healthier relationship.

The federal government established Sept. 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2021. The Manitoba government has also recognized this new federal statutory holiday as an opportunity for Manitobans to reflect on the impacts of residential schools, which still resonate today.

In 2017, Manitoba passed legislation to recognize formally Sept. 30 as Orange Shirt Day to acknowledge the trauma of residential schools on First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Flags on all provincial government buildings will be lowered today to half-mast to align with long-standing protocol for all national days of observance. Schools and non-essential government services and offices will also be closed for the day to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The City of Dauphin added two flags in front of City hall yesterday, that will permanently fly alongside the Canadian, Manitoban, and City of Dauphin flags.

The Manitoba Métis Federation flag and Treaty 2 Territory flag were raised after speeches from Mayor Christian Laughland, MMF Vice-President Francis Chartrand, and Scott Lynxleg from the First Nation Treaty 2 Territory Government office in Dauphin.

 Flag Raising 2

Vice President Chartrand talked about the relationship between MMF and the city, and how they want to help the city grow. She ended her speech by giving thanks to the city.

"On behalf of the Red River Métis citizens all across the province of Manitoba, I want to thank you for raising our flag here today, and celebrating who the Red River Métis are."

Lynxleg spoke about what reconciliation means to him, and how the city of Dauphin has changed in his nearly two decades living here.

"It's respect. If you have respect for first of all yourself, and then one another. It's just having the respect and understanding that we're all the same."

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, all five flags will be flown at half-mast today.

Sherry Gott, a member of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, has been appointed Manitoba’s new Advocate for Children and Youth.

The all-party Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly recommended the appointment, which was subsequently confirmed by the adoption of a resolution by the legislative assembly.

She is married with three sons and three grandchildren and attributes her success to the teachings she has been gifted from the Elders who have walked beside her.

Gott was awarded and recognized by the Aboriginal Social Work Society of Manitoba for "significant contribution to the field of Aboriginal Social Work" in 2011.

Sherry Gott has master's and bachelor of social work degrees from the University of Manitoba, is a registered social worker and has worked in various roles: front-line worker, supervisor and senior manager in the social service systems in child welfare, education and mental health as a social worker.

Gott says that she looks forward to working with children, youth and families by supporting and advocating for changes in the way services are provided.

She will begin her new role on October 17th.

The Government of Canada is working with Survivors, Indigenous leaders and affected families and communities to address historical wrongs and the lasting physical, emotional, mental and spiritual harms related to the legacy of residential schools.

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) says that part of this work includes efforts being made to locate and commemorate missing children who attended residential schools, as well as responding to Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 72 to 76.

MMF President David Chartrand and Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced that $1,417,835 for the fiscal years 2022-2024 will be invested to support the MMF's initiative, titled "Pekeywaytahihnan nutr zanfaan leur zisprii" (We are bringing our children's spirit home).

"The Manitoba Métis Federation is leading incredibly important work for Métis Survivors of residential schools in Manitoba. We understand that Survivors know best how to move forward, which is why the Pekeywaytahihnan nutr zanfaan leur zisprii initiative is so important. Our government will continue to work with the MMF on these shared priorities as they support their citizens and advance healing," Miller adds.

According to the MMF, this initiative is the first phase of the MMF's plans and will inform future work, which includes the formation of a Survivors Committee to guide future initiatives, knowledge gathering, research of archival records, community engagement, and commemoration plans. 

They say this community-led process will ensure the MMF can undertake this work in their own way, at their own pace, and is part of the government-to-government framework between the MMF and the federal government.

They also say that addressing the harms suffered by Survivors, their families and communities is at the heart of reconciliation and that it's essential to renewing and building relationships with Indigenous Peoples, governments, and all Canadians.

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is encouraged by the province's announcement regarding rent subsidies for Agriculture Crown Lands forage leaseholders.

MMF President David Chartrand says that it's clear that Manitoba is recognizing the financial challenges endured by Red River Métis agricultural producers currently leasing forage lands in the province.

"This announcement offers our agricultural producers a welcome temporary financial reprieve, but they are still facing very real concerns," Chartrand adds.

According to a news release by the MMF, the proposed rent reduction is in response to the extreme drought of 2021, the flooding this year, and stakeholder feedback. The proposed rent reduction offers a 50% lease rent reduction in 2023, a 33% lease rent reduction in 2024 and a 15% lease rent reduction in 2025.

The MMF says that changes made to Agricultural Crown Lands legislation over the last several years, including the Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Regulation Amendments and the Crown Land Disposition Act, have caused a severe financial burden on Red River Métis citizens and that some have been forced to surrender their leases, livestock, and in some instances, their businesses.

"It's vital that the Government of Manitoba hears the concerns of Red River Métis agricultural producers, as well as the voice of the MMF, the government that represents their interests," Chartrand adds.

He went on to say that a government-to-government relationship requires meaningful consultation to ensure any policy, program, regulation, or service developed by Manitoba reflects the evolving needs of its citizens as rightsholders.

A 43-year-old man from Yorkton was arrested following a traffic stop in Souris that lead to the seizure of drugs and cash.

It started on September 15th with police conducting an investigation into a Yorkton man unlawfully at large.

The RCMP later performed a traffic stop on 1st St. S. in Souris, where officers identified and arrested 43-year-old Troy Branconnier, who was wanted on an outstanding Manitoba Warrant of Arrest for failing to comply with release order conditions.

At the time of the arrest, cocaine, methamphetamine, drug-trafficking paraphernalia and cash were seized.

Branconnier was remanded into custody on charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking x2, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Possession of Packaging Material used to Traffic a Controlled Substance.

RCMP urge anyone who may have any information regarding drugs or any other criminal activity, to please contact their local police agency or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online.

West District CREST (Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team) continues to investigate.

UPDATE (Sept. 29th, 6:09 p.m.): The intersection of Main St. S. and Whitmore Ave. has been reopened.

Update contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos

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The City of Dauphin is continuing its work to repave Main Street South and has moved down to the intersection of Whitmore Ave. and Main. A detour is currently set up, and traffic is being rerouted west on Whitmore to Jackson Street.

Construction is expected to be done later this afternoon, but barricades will be up until tomorrow.