Shatter the silence.  Stop the violence.

That’s the theme for this year’s Take Back the Night Walk, organized by the Thompson Crisis Centre.

The first of these events took place back in England in 1977 to bring awareness to the danger and fear women felt when they had to walk anywhere alone.

It has now become a worldwide event.

Mary Demare, Outreach worker with the Thompson Crisis Centre, shares some stats about violence against men and women.

“Our crisis line has had approximately 1,799 calls calls last year, possibly more and our beds at night held approximately 11,907 women, children and men. Of course, men are put in an alternate location.”

The community is invited to join the walk and show their solidarity for the cause of stopping violence on our streets.

The walk takes place Saturday, September 21st and starts at 5 pm at the new Thompson Co-op Gas Bar.

For more on the event, listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10.

Saturday marks International Overdose Awareness Day.

This year’s theme is “You’re not alone.  Together We Can”.

The Northern Health Region focuses throughout the year on overdose awareness, including such things as naloxone training in their programming.

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotion Coordinator with the NHR shares details about the day.

“International Overdose Awareness Day happens every year on the 31st of August. It’s the world’s largest annual campaign to try to end overdose and to spend some time remembering, without stigma, those who have died and axknowledge the grief of family and friends that have been left behind.”

From noon to 2 pm tomorrow at the Thompson YWCA, there will be STBBI testing, the distribution of Narcan kits and naloxone training, and immunizations.

There will also be a barbecue, games and prizes.

Take this opportunity to learn how to recognize and prevent overdoses.

On August 26, 2024, at approximately 11:55 am, Gillam RCMP responded to a report of a shooting at an isolated camp, approximately 75 km east of Split Lake, Manitoba.

RCMP and Emergency Medical Services attended and located a deceased 53-year-old male from Tataskweyak Cree Nation. His death was the result of homicide.

The suspect fled prior to police arrival. The suspect and victim were known to each other.

On August 27, 2024, Jamie Flett, 38, of Tataskweyak Cree Nation was charged with Second Degree Murder and there is a warrant for his arrest. He is 5’9”, 175 lbs with black hair and brown eyes.

Gillam RCMP along with RCMP Major Crime Services are currently searching for Flett.  He is believed to be in the Split Lake or Gillam area.

If you have information on his whereabouts please call Gillam RCMP at 204-652-2436, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Planes, trains and automobiles.

They’re just some of the modes of transportation that will be discussed at the Northern Transportation Symposium to be held in Thompson on September 5th and 6th.

The symposium is being hosted by the Thompson Chamber of Commerce as a way to bring those involved in various sectors of transportation together.

Volker Beckmann, one of the organizers adds more here.

“We felt that there is a lot of good stuff going on in the North right now but sometimes the rail people don’t necessarily talk to the air people who don’t talk to the road people. We’ve learned a little over the last six months, in preparing this conference or symposium, that there is some interesting aspects and by bringing people together in a room, hopefully we can collaborate and look at new and improved ways to move passengers and freight.”

To find out more about the symposium, the guest speakers, and how to register, go to NTsymposium.ca.

You can also hear the interview with Beckmann on Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Water main renewal and road work continue throughout the city.

On City Beat Thursday, Mayor Colleen Smook said more water main tie-ins were taking place in the Westwood area and Maple Leaf Construction was back in Thompson to begin paving work in that area.

She also mentioned the start to phase three of the water main renewal project in the Southwood Area.

“This year’s work, we will focus on Centennial Drive East and Dominion Bay by Southwood and then phase four are Centennial Drive West, Confederation and the Southwood portion on Elder will start next year.”  

Residents in these areas can expect water shut offs from time to time as work is being done.

Go to thompson.ca to get the latest updates on shut offs or paving projects.

On August 21, 2024, at approximately 10:30 pm, Cross Lake RCMP responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision on Sipiseek Road in the community.

Officers approached the vehicle, with three occupants, and observed open liquor inside.

The 38-year-old male driver, from Winnipeg, provided a false name and was placed under arrest for Impaired Driving and Obstruction.

As the officers were speaking with the two male passengers (both 30 years-of-age), also from Winnipeg, one of them pushed an officer as he reached for her radio and attempted to disarm her. No injuries were reported and the suspects were safely taken into custody.

A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of approximately 56 grams of a substance believed to be cocaine, over $13,000 in cash and other drug related paraphernalia.
 

The three suspects were transported to the Cross Lake RCMP Detachment where they remain in police custody at this time.

Cross Lake RCMP continue to investigate.

What’s for lunch?  Those three words can strike dread in the hearts of any seasoned parent.

Especially if they have to pack lunches for their children for school.

Registered Dietician with the Northern Health Region, Joanna Ledoux, has some advice about getting our kids involved with lunch prep.

“It is really important to get kids involved, we want to start off slow. You can start off by just getting them to pack the bag, the food is prepared but they are going to pack the bag and you can slowly get them more involved by having them make the sandwich or pour the cereal or cut the vegetables.”

Ledoux says these are important first steps and can help our children build their own food prep skills.

She adds that certain staple items,  such as fruits and vegetables, should be added to every lunch.  Then we should use the Canada Food Guide to help us with our lunch menus.

For more tips on reducing the stress that comes with packing school lunches, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

Canada’s economy could see a billion dollar hit daily if a railway strike by Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City isn’t resolved.

Currently, government intervention isn’t in the cards, but organizations like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business are concerned about the impact to small businesses.

Here, Tyler Slobogian with the CFIB explains.

"“Small businesses across the country have really relied on rail services for the timely delivery of goods, raw materials and essential products so a complete shut down will disrupt supply chains and potentially lead to inventory shortages, missed opportunities and ultimately lost revenue for small businesses.”

Slobogian says small businesses already operate on a small margin and it wouldn’t take much to push them into closing their doors permanently in the case of a prolonged rail strike.

A number of business sectors had already stopped or scaled back shipping items by rail in anticipation of a strike.

It’s believed that for every one day of disruption, there will be at least 3-5 days of recovery.

On Monday afternoon, Thompson General Hospital was the latest stop on Premier Wab Kinew’s listening tour on health-care.

Kinew said the intention of the tour is to improve the province’s health care system using the information and suggestions provided by front-line health care workers.

He noted that health care in the north has unique challenges and that the efforts to deliver comparable care to patients here as in other health regions can be taxing to staff.

Hospital staff met with the Premier, along with Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara and Carla Compton, the premier’s advisor on nursing culture and safety.

To date, stops on the listening tour have included Grace Hospital, St. Boniface Hospital, Selkirk Mental Health Centre, Victoria Hospital, Health Sciences Centre and Brandon Regional Health Centre.

“All About Food Allergy” is a new program available for schools to help them support students with allergies and educate their peers and others around them.

Connie Culligan, an educator who worked on this pilot project with a group called Food Allergy Canada, said food allergy affects 600-thousand Canadian children - equivalent to three children in every classroom of thirty.

Here she shares details about one of the program’s modules.

“The second module goes into teaching about allergic reactions and anaphylaxis signs and symptoms, the severity of the reaction. It also talk about intolerance and food sensitivity. Some people confuse anaphylaxis reactions and food sensitivity intolerance and they are very, very different so it goes into detail about that.”

There are three other modules which each take about 30 minutes to complete.

They include general information about allergens and how they can be hidden in food, how to manage food allergies and how to safely inject someone with an epi-pen.

Hear more about the program on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.   You can also go to foodallergycanada.comschool program.

Premier Wab Kinew was in Thompson yesterday with a number of NDP ministers to make an announcement at the Thompson Regional Community Centre.

“Today we are announcing an additional 5 million dollars for the pool project to make sure that this thing gets built right away.”

After the announcement, the Premier acknowledged the work and collaboration of the various stakeholders who pushed so hard for Thompson to have a new pool.

He included Mayor Colleen Smook and the city council, Vale Manitoba Operations, Thompson’s current MLA Eric Robinson and also his predecessor Danielle Adams.

Kinew said Danielle’s advocacy for a new pool was a priority during her time in office and he was touched to learn she would be memorialized at the new Aquatic Centre. 

Around 1500 residents of Oxford House were set to pass through Thompson yesterday as they were evacuated from the community due to a wildfire.

Three hundred evacuees were flown in to Thompson yesterday and bussed to the TRCC gymnasium before being flown south to Winnipeg and Brandon.

Mayor Colleen Smook, speaking from the TRCC yesterday during City Beat, shared some details.

“Once we hit our 500 magic number here, we’ve already told Emergency Measures and Red Cross that they will have to divert the planes from Oxford House straight to Winnipeg or Brandon, where they are going.”

The wildfire near Oxford House is one of six significant fires in northern Manitoba.

Further details, updates, restrictions, and other important wildfire information is available at gov.mb.ca/wildfire.

The third time is the charm for Thompson.

It was announced Wednesday that the City has been chosen to host the 2026 Manitoba Winter Games.

Thompson was the site of the 1994 and 2018 games, as well.

Mayor Colleen Smook said host communities are usually asked to contribute $150-thousand toward facility upgrades but games organizers have agreed to reduce that.

“So we have to do $100,000 of facility upgrades which is basically things that we’ve been doing over the last year or two.”

It was reported that $1.7 million in economic activity was generated by the 2018 Games in Thompson.

The games are for athletes ages 10 to 17 and include 12 sports being run over one week.

The Manitoba Winter Games will run in March 2026.

Yesterday, around 300 residents of Oxford House first nation were evacuated to Thompson due to a wildfire nearing the community.

A City spokesperson said the TRCC gymnasium is being readied in case the fire requires people to evacuate to Thompson from Oxford House before flights can take them south.

The Manitoba Wildfire Service, the Office of the Fire Commissioner and several local fire departments have set up sprinklers and other value protection resources in the community.

More help was set to arrive yesterday to help battle the blaze and protect the community.

The fire was approximately 10 kilometres south of Oxford House, with a south wind yesterday expected to push it closer to the community.

The fire is approximately 58-hundred hectares in size.

There are currently 71 active wildfires across the province, with a total of 233 wildfires to date.

A new tractor purchased by the Boreal Discovery Centre will help expand their Fall Fest garden.

That’s according to Geoff Greenfield, a BDC Board member.

Here, Greenfield talks about the garden.

“Fall Fest and this garden is to showcase food sustainability in the North and what can be done when a community works together. The garden is planted and maintained by our staff, volunteers and and community.”  

The tractor will be revealed at an event from 1 to 4 pm this Saturday at the Boreal Discovery Centre.

The Fall Fest event will take place on September 21st.   That’s when the produce from the garden will be shared in the community.

Learn more about the Boreal Discovery Centre and upcoming events on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

The Canadian Mental Health Association in Thompson is hosting their Annual General Meeting this month.

Stephanie Hysert with the CMHA shares details here.

“So we have our annual general meeting coming up in August 29th from 5pm to 7pm which is open to the community. CMHA staff will go over our 2023/2024 impact reports and share some of our success stories from over the years.”

Those interested in attending the AGM can RSVP to Hysert at 204-677-6051.

You can also email education training at CMHATHOMPSON.CA.

Those who RSVP will be given extra details about the event.

The School District of Mystery Lake is encouraging parents and guardians of Westwood School K-8 students to go to the District’s facebook page or website.

There, they can find a registration form for the Bus and Lunch Programs for the upcoming school year.

The deadline for the registration forms to be returned is this Monday, August 19th.

This will assist the school board in the relocation efforts for the Westwood students who were displaced after their school was destroyed by fire in July.

The completed form can be emailed to WWSchoolInquiries@mysterynet.mb.ca or can be dropped off at the School Board Office at 408 Thompson Drive.

Starting today at Fisher Island, families of those affected by the McKay Residential School will gather, because the Ministikok project is underway.

The Ministikok Project has been funded to find answers, search for those who went missing, and learn about the school and the people who attended.

They are investigating unmarked graves at the McKay Indian Residential School site and talking to those with insight.

The school ran from 1912 to 1932.

Joe Partridge said he had family that attended the school, but not much was ever discussed regarding their time spent there.

That's why they will contact community members for statements and record videos to learn more about people's experiences at the school.

The project team recently found what they believe to be the only living survivor of the school.

Starting today, birch bark basket making will take place.

On Thursday, tipi and medicine teachings and a performance of Bear Grease will take place.

On the evening of August 2, The Pas RCMP received a distress call reporting a stranded boater with his family and pets on Clearwater Lake.

The boat had experienced a power and propulsion failure, leaving them adrift two kilometres from shore near Camper's Cove boat launch.

The boaters, from Mitchell, Manitoba, had been stranded for over three hours and were struggling to fix the boat in diminishing light and worsening weather conditions.

When a rescue team of three RCMP officers arrived, they encountered rough waters but managed to locate the stranded boat just in time, as it was dangerously close to a reef.

MKO and the Heritage North Museum are presenting “Bringing Spirit to the North.”

This two-day event is open to anyone who wishes to learn about the traditions, culture and ceremonies of the indigenous people.

Shyanna Lynxleg, the Manager of the MKO Traditional Healer Program says the event was inspired by healers and teachers who are part of the program’s board.

She has more here.

“They were informing me that they see a lot of youths and adults are finding that their culture is diminishing. How they lost it, it just seems to be diminishing in regards to how traditions are being left to our younger generation.”

To remedy this, healers and teachers from the Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Society will be attending and providing instruction on how to build tipis (teepees) and sweat lodges,  how to harvest and prepare medicines and more.

The free event takes place August 13th and 14th and is in a come-and-go style.

Learn more about the “Bringing Spirit to the North” event on Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

You’ve been waiting in the hospital Emergency Room for what seems like hours, then someone new arrives and they’re seen immediately. Why does that happen?

Bruce Krentz from the Northern Health Region says there are 4 levels that patients are triaged (sorted) by.  They are critical, emergent, urgent and less urgent.

Here he provides examples of each.

“Critical things would be somebody who’s suspected of a stroke or a heart attack, if you have severe breathing problems, if you’ve been in a serious car crash or an accident, or if you are unconscious. Emergent concerns are severe stomach pains, large broken bones, if you have a head injury or a severe allergic reaction. Urgent are things like smaller fractures, an asthma attack, a seizure, vomiting and diarrhea and then less urgent concerns would be a cough or congestion, sore ears, eyes or throat, minor cuts, sprains or strains.”

Krentz said if your symptoms are changing while you are waiting for care, to be sure to let someone know.