For the past 40 years, Ken Gurba has been making a difference in the area of emergency services and on June 9th he was formally recognized for his years of dedication. Gurba is the Manitoba Chairman of Emergency Medical Services Awards Committee, working to ensure that EMS professionals are recognized for their dedication to the profession. After forty years of services himself Gurba was also recognized.
In a ceremony held at Canadian Human Right Museum, Gurba was presented a 40 year double bar. Gurba joined 35 other dedicated EMS personnel receiving awards ranging from 20 years to the 40 year mark. The Exemplary Service Medal recognizes professionals dedicated to preserving Canada’s Public Safety through long and outstanding service. It is part of the Canadian Honors System, administered by the Chancellery, a branch of the Office of the Governor General.
The EMS medal is the newest member of the Exemplary Service Medal Family. Governor General Romeo Leblanc created the EMS medal in1994 and to date over five thousand Paramedics have received this Honor in Canada, including 260 Manitoba Paramedics.

Rozzy and her mom Allexia were just one of the many vendors out at the Russell and Area farmers market.  They’re a summer thing were there’s vendors like Allexia’s new Lii Zoong business selling everything from soaps and bird seed wreaths to farm wives selling breads, jam and jellies and gardeners selling fresh vegetables and herbs. They’re in the courtyard beside the library right on Russell’s Main Street every Friday between 11 am to 2 pm.                                                                            

 - photo by Terrie Welwood

There’s a future leader in the making who is originally from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (SCN). Zoe Quill is currently studying at the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Science and she’s recently been awarded the 2022 Indigenous Award of Excellence for Student Outstanding Achievement through the university. Her academic pursuits in the field of science are opening doors to a promising future for her.
“I was awarded the BMO Financial Group Indigenous Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship to study at the University of Manitoba in 2018,” said Quill. “I entered directly into the Faculty of Science with interest in pursuing Genetics. Throughout high school, I was always interested in the sciences and wanted to explore these fields more in-depth at university.”
Quill has been contributing to researching internships, which has allowed her to combine her science background and work with Indigenous communities. This has allowed her to start her own journey as an Indigenous leader in the realm of science.
“While pursuing my degree, I have had the pleasure of participating in four research internships,” said Quill. “For two of these internships, I was given an opportunity to combine my knowledge of the sciences and work closely with Indigenous communities. I have come to witness the resilience of Indigenous peoples and their ambition in becoming self-determined in research.
“It was inspiring to my own journey to be able to collaborate with leaders of the community and take part in supporting their success. Indigenous representation is growing among the science community, and I hope to always empower Indigenous scholars and communities through research.”
Quill recognizes the challenges that many Indigenous students face while attending any schooling. She is focused on harbouring and fostering nurturing environments for other Indigenous students by being a leader and mentor to them.
“I recognize that there are barriers that Indigenous students still face and gaps in the supports that are available,” said Quill. “As an Indigenous student, it was important to me to create a positive and supportive environment.
“I achieved these efforts through community involvement. I became a mentor to first-year Indigenous students to provide guidance in facilitating a smooth transition into university life and participated in question and answer sessions as an UN Ambassador, sharing personal experiences to prospective students. I also became the Indigenous Students’ Representative for the Science Students’ Association to advocate and uplift Indigenous student excellence in the Faculty of Science. In this position, I have hosted culturally informed events for Indigenous students as a way to support their well-being.
Quill is persevering in the field of Science and has plans to attend graduate school. She has been determined and dedicated in her research, and gaining experiences that will help her to pursue that goal of obtaining a MD or PhD.
“I’m pursuing a Bachelor of Science, Genetics Major,” said Quill. “I have only one more year to go. Since I’m planning on attending graduate school, I sought opportunities to conduct research at both Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the National Microbiology Laboratory of Canada. These experiences will give me the opportunity to explore my interests in Public Health.
“So far, I have gathered four years of research experience in various fields. I have published two peer-review papers and am currently working on publishing three more by the time I graduate.
“I have always had the goal of becoming a doctor and recently, research has become a passion of mine,” said Quill. “After graduation, I’m planning to pursue a Master of Science in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases that combines aspects of Public Health. Then, I will pursue either a MD or PhD. In research, I hope to always incorporate collaboration with Indigenous communities.”
With National Indigenous Peoples Day happening, Quill has been advocating to see more positive changes for Indigenous people. She feels her experience can be an example for others to overcome any obstacles they may face and be leaders for Indigenous people.
“As an Indigenous student heavily involved on campus and in research,” said Quill. “I have had the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who are driven, resilient, and aspire to create changes that advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples. To be part of a community that seeks to empower the next generation of Indigenous leaders, I am always motivated to contribute to these efforts.
“There is evidence that despite the hardships we have endured, we have the power to not only overcome these obstacles but to thrive as a community. I believe National Indigenous Peoples Day promotes a positive message describing this very strength every Indigenous person carries within them.”
Quill realizes that the process has been slow when it comes to the reconciliation portion for Indigenous people in Canada, but she focuses on the Indigenous people who are achieving reconciliation and pushing forward for a better and brighter future.
“I recognize that we still have a long way to go in fulfilling the 94 Calls to Action, but action is happening,” said Quill. “There are many Indigenous leaders in the community whom I met that are breaking barriers in their fields and contributing to the efforts of reconciliation.
“I have had my fair share of hardships experiencing discrimination, but I am motivated to continue to uplift Indigenous voices and support our movements of self-determination.“

The Swan Valley Student-led Genders and Sexuality Alliance Group (SVSGSA) hosted the Valley’s first-ever Pride event last Saturday and it was an overwhelming success...

Dauphin Kings goalie Carson Cherepak is taking his game to the next level after announcing his committment to play NCAA Division 1 hockey at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY, next season.

The Winnipeg native enjoyed an outstanding year in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, posting a 2.21 GAA and .921 save percentage while compiling a 30-7-0 record with the Kings.

Cherepak was named a first team all-star and received the Ed Belfour Award as the MJHL’s top goaltender. In the postseason, Cherepak was named playoff MVP after helping Dauphin win the Turnbull Trophy.

His stellar play continued at the Centennial Cup in Estevan, Sask., where he was named Top Goaltender and MVP of the national championship.

RPI plays in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).

In other Kings news, forward Jeriah Shantz was dealt to the Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in exchange for defenceman Anthony Bax.

Shantz scored five goals and 16 points in 49 games with Dauphin last season. The Fergus, Ont., native added two goals and five points in 15 playoff contests, helping the Kings win the Turnbull Trophy.

Bax, who stands six-feet, and weighs in at 192 pounds, had one goal and five points in 26 games with the Blues last season. He added one assist in 11 games with the Connecticut Jr. Rangers of the National Collegiate Development Conference.

The Parkhill, Ont., native turns 19 in November.

Collingwood also receives future considerations in the deal.

Above, Aiden Wojciechowski (6) of the Dauphin McMunn and Yates U13 baseball team gets into a run down against the Roblin Stars in the AA provincial qualifier at the U13 regionals in Dauphin, Sunday morning.

Roblin scored a 20-6 win to qualify for U13 provincials in Morden, July 15 to 17.

Below, Bohdi Bloomer of McMunn and Yates slides safely into home before Dauphin Reit-Syd Equipment’s Cameron Carefoot can make the tag in the A provincial qualifier, Sunday afternoon.

McMunn and Yates won the game, 20-19, to qualify for A provincials, July 8 to 10 in Winkler.

St. Paul’s Home Ladies Auxiliary recently held its final meeting due to its aging membership.

The group decided to dissolve at a meeting, Sept. 20, 2021, and the final meeting was held, June 13.

Established in 1981 under the guidance of Sister Jean Zemliak, the auxiliary was a volunteer organization dedicated to assisting residents of St. Paul’s Home by personal involvement with activities and fund-raising for items that would enhance the quality of the residents’ lives.

Betty Stephens, who was with the ladies auxiliary at the hospital at the time, was asked to assist in getting the St. Paul’s group off the ground.

“They asked her to come down and she came down and organized the first meeting. And that’s how it started, way back in 1981,” said auxiliary president Leana Compton.

The group’s major fund-raising event was the annual Strawberry Tea and Bake Sale, as well as a garage sale for two or three days in the facility’s parking lot, not to mention various raffles and donations. In total, the auxiliary raised more than $300,000 over the years, with more than $250,000 worth of items purchased.

“The other $50,000 would be to support birthday parties. We’d buy cake and ice cream. We always came to help the residents’ monthly birthday parties before COVID,” Compton said.

Auxiliary members also took residents to the Strawberry Tea and they assisted with bingos, as well.

There were only six or seven members to start, but Compton said they eventually averaged about 30 members, 20 of whom were active. By the end, there were only six active volunteers, with another six associated members.

“There’s just so many who are in their mid-80s, high-80s. They walk with walkers. And even the associate ones, they still want to get involved if we had a chance to do anything. But right now since COVID, we’re not allowed to come in this building at all,” she said.

Compton has tried to recruit new and younger members and, while there was some interest, none lasted more than a year or two. Compton noted all monies raised have been spent.

Among the items purchased over the years were Century bathtubs, an automatic wheelchair washer, Medichairs, wheelchair weight scale, blanket warmer, 34 electric bed and bedside table sets and overbed tables.

The dining room and activity area received couches, table and chair sets and window coverings.

Donations to the dietary department included dishes, dish heater and insulated food carts.

Items for the activity department included a smart board, karaoke machine, stereos, televisions, video equipment and sound systems and a bingo machine.

Recently the auxiliary furnished the St. Paul’s Visitation Room, a private room where families can get together for coffee and a visit or hold a special party for their loved one.

The group, Compton said, has always followed Sister Jean’s mantra, which states, “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Police are seeking the public’s assistance following a theft at a historical sight northwest of Dauphin, last week.

On June 12, at approximately 9:05 a.m., Dauphin RCMP received a complaint of theft from the director of the Trembowla Cross of Freedom museum and church, which is located 20 kilometres northwest of Dauphin.

It was reported that sometime between May 29 and June 12, the bell tower was knocked over and the church bell was stolen.

This church bell is made of bronze and is a historical piece dating back to the 1890s.

There were seven memorial plaques, each of them made from bronze, erected in front of the buildings, that were also stolen.

Dauphin RCMP are asking anyone who may have information regarding this theft to contact the Dauphin Detachment at 204-622-5020, call Crime Stoppers anonymously toll-free at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

RCMP continue to investigate.

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THE TRI-COMMUNITY Pride celebration saw more than 300 people participate in the parade and festival Saturday afternoon.