Sherry Gott Appointed Youth Advocate

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 17^th.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 30, 2022 - 5:54 am

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.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 30, 2022 - 5:31 am

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.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 29, 2022 - 6:15 pm

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 1^st 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.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 29, 2022 - 11:48 am

UPDATE (Sept. 29^th, 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.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Sep 29, 2022 - 9:14 am

Tammy Koshowski is running in the municipal election to become a councillor on the R.M. of Dauphin Council.

Koshowski, who comes from a four-generation farming family, has lived in the R.M. her entire life.

She believes that people should vote for her because of her financial background, understanding of economics and forward way of thinking.

"I've had an interest of being in the R.M. council since my twenties... I enjoy politics... I would like to see revenue in the R.M. through economic development and just kinda look towards the future and see what we can develop," she adds.

Tammy Koshowski is running for council because she has enjoyed watching the R.M. grow and would like to build upon what they already have through the council.

"My main priorities would definitely be revenue through economic development... and... [dealing with] drainage issues that seem to be happening in a lot of the area," Koshowski adds.

Even though she doesn't have previous political experience, she still believes that she has a lot to bring to the role.

"Me being new to this and not having any influence, I can just [take] the ideas of [the] constituents I have talked to [along with] my own ideas and bring them out," she adds.

Koshowski says that although she jumped into politics on her own, she believes that she's knowledgeable about what the job entails.

"I have asked former councillors and reeves and present councillors and reeves a lot of questions," she adds.

If elected, she would like to get to know the ins and outs of being on council and see exactly where she fits in, including discovering which duties or roles in which she would be most beneficial.

A complete list of candidates running for office in the City and R.M. of Dauphin can be found here.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 29, 2022 - 6:37 am

The Dauphin Friendship Centre and Treaty 2 Territory will honour residential school survivors, their families, and their communities by hosting a reconciliation ceremony at Parkland Crossing tomorrow, September 30^th, at 11 a.m.

Jarri Thompson, the Friendship Centre's events coordinator, says that it will begin with a series of talks from prominent local figures discussing residential schools, the legacy they left and the importance of continuing these conversations.

"Followed by those discussions, there is going to be some complimentary refreshments, a jingle dress dance, a pow-wow with drummers and a round circle dance," she adds.

Thompson says that the main goal of the event is to educate the public on what had happened in residential schools, what's been happening since then and how we can move forward in a positive way.

"[It's important] to continue that conversation over the next few generations, so that it doesn't happen again," she adds.

Jarri Thompson went on to say that her mother was a residential school survivor.

"I'm very closely connected to the effects of the residential schools, so being able to create that awareness... I feel really honoured being able to do that," she adds.

Thompson believes that there is a bright future when it comes to reconciliation in Dauphin.

"As for the country, I definitely hope so," she adds.

Even though there will be chairs at the event, people are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs if they wish.

Everyone attending the event is encouraged to wear orange to help spread awareness.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 29, 2022 - 6:20 am

Tomorrow is the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. While it's not an official holiday at the provincial level, certain businesses will be operating with reduced hours and some municipal buildings will be closed.

Here's a list of some of them to keep in mind:

Dauphin Market Place Mall (Modified Hours):
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Some stores will be CLOSED)

Manitoba Liquor Mart (Regular Hours):
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fusion Credit Union (Modified Hours):
9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Branch office CLOSED / Only OPEN over the phone)

Walmart (Regular Hours):
8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Safeway (Modified Hours):
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

No Frills (Regular Hours):
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Co-op Food Store (Modified Hours):
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Co-op Gas Bar on Main St. S. (Regular Hours):
6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Co-op Gas Bar on Mountain Rd. (Regular Hours):
6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Dauphin City Hall (Modified Hours):
CLOSED

Dauphin Recreation Services (Modified Hours):
Admin office CLOSED / Facilities CLOSED until 1 p.m. / Free family swim from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 29, 2022 - 6:05 am

The City of Dauphin Mayor and Council candidates were out in full force tonight as the Parkland Chamber of Commerce held its Municipal Election Forum at the Watson Art Centre. The first half of the event featured questions being randomly assigned to the 17 council candidates.

Each candidate had the opportunity to answer two questions for one minute, and each question was answered by three candidates. The questions focused on topics like crime, and the growth of the city.

The event then moved to a Mayoral debate between David Bosiak and Kerri Riehl. The candidates went back and forth, each answering the same eight questions, with a minute for each response. The candidates then had the opportunity to ask each other two questions.

The questions had a similar focus in the second half of the event, focusing on crime and safety, as well as growth in the community. Following the debate, I asked each candidate what they wanted to be the main focus of their campaign.

Kerri Riehl says she wants to use her background in the RCMP and security business to help combat crime.

"My biggest thing that I feel I can do for the community is in regards to public safety. I don't need to hire a consultant, with 35 years of crime prevention and security experience, we can get started immediately. In 2019 I started a public wellness and advisory initiative, we've since recently got money for that, I believe it's 1.2 million over the next two years, I look forward to establishing that, and getting the data together, and moving forwards in regards to public safety. I believe we really are in a crisis and we need to do something quickly."

David Bosiak talked about building good relationships at all levels throughout the community, and how his experience will help with that.

"I'm a team builder, I've been a team builder my whole life, I've been a coach and I know what happens. I hate to use a sports analogy, but I think when you get people together, you make sure they know what they're supposed to do, you give them an environment that they can succeed, and then you just get out of their way and let them do their job. We have a tremendous staff at city hall, I will work with whatever six councilors get elected to form a team of council, and ensure that council and the administration communicate so that we can understand what our roles are, and carry on in the next four years."

Last night's entire forum and debate can be found online on the Parkland Chamber of Commerce FaceBook Page.

A full list of candidates for the City and RM of Dauphin in the October 26th election can be found here.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Sep 28, 2022 - 10:04 pm

The federal and provincial governments announced today that they are investing an additional $300,000 to help 24 child-care facilities implement Indigenous-focused cultural programming.

Provincial Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko says that the province is committed to ensuring all children in Manitoba have access to inclusive, culturally appropriate child-care programming that reflects and celebrates the province’s diversity.

“During previous intakes, there was an overwhelming demand from child-care facilities for funding to integrate Indigenous cultural components into programming. I’m pleased this additional investment will support these 24 centres in this important work,” Minister Ewasko adds.

The province says that today’s announcement is part of ongoing work to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, specifically number 12, which calls for the development of culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Indigenous families.

Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Karina Gould says that grounding early learning and child care in culture, language and traditions leads to better outcomes for Indigenous children and for their communities.

"Connection to culture builds self-esteem, confidence and resilience that can benefit a child’s health and well-being throughout their entire life," Minister Gould adds.

According to the Manitoba government, the Indigenous Programming Grant allows child-care facilities to invest in the equipment, resources and supplies needed to integrate Indigenous cultural components into programming.

The province says that the funding also supports professional development opportunities for staff to expand their knowledge of Indigenous culture and traditions, and incorporate this knowledge within curriculums.

They also say that 24 child-care facilities will each receive grants between $5,000 and $25,000, depending on the number of infant and preschool spaces offered and these facilities applied for grants during the 2020-21 Indigenous Programming Grant intake.

More information can be found on the Province of Manitoba website.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Sep 28, 2022 - 6:15 pm

Early Sunday morning, the Yorkton RCMP got a report of a break and enter in progress. Police immediately responded to the scene and found four individuals, three of which provided officers with false information upon arrest.

It was found that the suspects forced their way inside the residence, and when officers searched it after obtaining a search warrant, they found an illegally-modified firearm, a semi-automatic firearm with a silencer, a high-capacity magazine, and a small amount of white powder that will be identified through laboratory testing.

39-year-old Lewis Starr of Sandy Bay, Manitoba is scheduled to appear in Yorkton Court tomorrow, and has been charged with: