Opasquia Times
The Grub Box celebrates half a century in biz
When thinking about the Grub Box being in existence for 50 years, since 1973, I’ve had to go back in history some 70 years, to the early 1950s, when I was in my teens. I had a part time job working for Mabel and Gilbert Jones at Jones’ Grocery, stocking shelves, burning garbage and delivery groceries to customers with a bicycle during the summer and on a toboggan throughout the winter months. I kept this part-time job all through my teens until I left The Pas at age 19, to join the RCMP.
After a few years of police work and a better part of a year on the RCMP Musical Ride in 1961, I got out of the force, got married and pursued getting into business to fulfil the entrepreneurial blood in my veins. Firstly, here in The Pas in the service station business, then to Saskatoon again in a new Esso service station.
In 1967, still living in Saskatoon, I received several phone calls from my previous employer, Gilbert Jones, who wanted to retire, but couldn’t find anyone to buy his grocery business. Initially he was told, ‘I don’t know anything about the grocery industry’. His reply was, ‘I will teach you’. I told him I didn’t have the kind of money needed to buy his business. He then told me I didn’t need any and that he would finance the purchase. With that my family was packed up and moving back to The Pas.
MBCI recognizes staff through service awards
Just last week, Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute (MBCI) held a special recognition for some of their staff that are retiring and have hit milestones in terms of years of service.
MKO Calls to investigate Indian Residential Schools System
The Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. has reiterated MKO’s earlier call for Canada to commence an investigation of the Indian Residential School system as a crime against humanity under the laws of Canada. MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee presented MKO’s renewed call for action during a meeting with federal Justice Minister Arif Virani at the Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva, Switzerland on November 9, 2023.
MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee and MKO officials were in Geneva last week to participate in the 4th Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Canada before the Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The UPR of Canada took place at the United Nations in Geneva on November 10, 2023. MKO is an NGO in Consultation with ECOSOC and is accredited to the United Nations duty stations in New York and Geneva.
Grand Chief Settee said, “I reminded Minister Virani that MKO’s first response after the announcement by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc of the discovery of the 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School was to call on Prime Minister Trudeau and former Justice Minister David Lametti to investigate the Indian Residential School System as a crime against humanity pursuant to Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.”
Police seeking public assistance
Opaskwayak Detachment - Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba: Police are investigating an assault & forcible confinement involving an adult female in the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.
On November 13, 2023, the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) received a report from an adult female who said that she was held against her will and assaulted in Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Officers of the Manitoba First Nation Police Service attended to the victim, who reported that she was assaulted and held against her will for several days.
Police also discovered that her infant child appeared to be the victim of an assault by the same suspect. Both victims received medical attention at the local hospital and were held overnight for observation.
Police are investigating this matter and have issued a warrant for the person responsible for the assault. The victim and suspect are known to each other, and this was not a random act. An arrest warrant for Kavika Reeves CONSTANT has been issued for the following offences: Assault with a weapon; Assault while choking; Assault; Being unlawfully in a dwelling house; Forcible confinement; Utter threats against a person; Mischief under $5000; Fail to comply with Probation and Fail to comply with a release order.
If you have any information that could assist investigators, don't hesitate to get in touch with MFNPS Opaskwayak Cree Nation Detachment at 204-623-8200 or MFNPS TIPS line anonymously at 1-833-978- 0048 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The MFNP TIPS line is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year, and monitored regularly.
Local cadet reaches new heights and new fears
Flight Corporal Macyn Umpherville of 303 The Pas Elks, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, descends down a 16-foot tower at Camp Saskadet, near Kelvington, SK., on August 13, 2023.
Umpherville joined other cadets from rural Saskatchewan for an 8-Day Cadet Activity Program. During this experience, the cadets participated in fun, safe, challenging,and well-organized activities in their local area such as hiking, canoeing, and abseiling. Abseiling is a recreational activity that involves descending down a vertical, or near vertical structure, such as a mountain, cliff or, as in this case, a man-made structure. using a rope in controlled conditions.
Camp support
The Legion Ladies Auxiliary has generously donated $300 each to four local Girl Guides who have registered for the first interprovincial camp of their girl guide careers. The weeklong Crocus camp will be held in Dauphin and is an elective option for girls in Guides, Pathfinders, or Rangers.
The camp will assist the girls in developing leadership skills, fostering independence, gaining confidence, sharing in the sisterhood of guiding and learning an appreciation for the outdoors and respect for the environment.
UCN reaffirms commitment to Indigenous Education
The University College of the North (UCN) is proud to announce its reaffirmed commitment to Indigenous education. UCN joins Manitoba's six universities, threecolleges, and the Manitoba School Boards Association in re‐signing the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint (the Blueprint) on Friday, April 14.
In 2015, the partners signed the Blueprint, a partnership to advance ten commitments informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action. The Blueprint's primary goal is to prioritize Indigenous education in Manitoba and address barriers Indigenous students face to achieve equitable education.
"UCN's participation in the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint exemplifies our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment that respects and celebrates Indigenous knowledge, culture, and values," said Doug Lauvstad, UCN President and Vice‐Chancellor.
MMF citizenship cards now recognized
The Manitoba government is recognizing Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) citizenship cards as a primary form of identification to purchase liquor, cannabis and gaming products in Manitoba, Premier Heather Stefanson announced.
“The Manitoba government is continuing to advance reconciliation and honour the vital contributions of the Red River Métis in shaping Manitoba’s history and culture,” said Stefanson. “These changes will remove barriers for Indigenous Peoples to access products and services such as those regulated by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA).”
Free provincial park access
The Manitoba government will once again offer free park entry for the entire month of February so Manitobans and visitors can take advantage of the many winter activities available in provincial parks, Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton announced.
“In Manitoba’s provincial parks, winter is a season worth celebrating,” said Wharton. “Our government is pleased to make it easier for Manitobans to participate in invigorating, enjoyable winter experiences surrounded by our province’s natural beauty.”
Trappers’ Chair spills the tea
The 76th Annual Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival is quickly approaching with opening ceremonies taking place two weeks from today.
This year’s board of directors has been working diligently to ensure that the 2023 Festival is as exciting as last years event, and with no COVID restrictions in place, organizers are excited to be able to hold the events just like before the pandemic.
“Our board has been spending hundreds of hours preparing for all the usual Trappers’ Festival events,” 2023 Festival Chairperson Desarae Lambert commented. Lambert explained this year’s Festival will be full steam ahead and she hopes the community is as excited as the board is