The Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek First Nation) commenced an archaeological excavation, yesterday, of 14 possible locations of unmarked burials under the Catholic Church located on private lands within the boundaries of the First Nation reserve.

The excavation began with a community sunrise ceremony, the lighting of a sacred fire to burn through the entire process, and a feast. A sacred fire and public seating area was onsite in a sacred safe space near the excavation site with security on site.

Members of the public and media were welcome to attend the sacred fire to make tobacco offerings at the safe space adjacent to the excavation site. Access to points closer to the excavation site under the Church may be granted permission on a case-by-case basis.

It is anticipated that excavation of the 14 locations under the church may take up to four weeks from start to completion.

“Community members have been in planning since last fall to excavate the basement locations since the discovery of 14 possible unmarked burials under the church and 57 other suspected locations on the grounds around the church and old school site. We understand that over time burial sites may be lost to the natural elements, but to bury remains under a building suggests a dark and sinister intent that cannot be unaddressed as we expose the truth of what happened in our homeland,” stated Derek Nepinak, Chief of the Minegoziibe Anishinabe.

In 2021, following the discovery of 215 unmarked burials at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., the community of Minegoziibe Anishinabe committed to its own truth-exposing initiative.

Community spiritual leaders and Elders joined together in trauma-informed and culturally grounded engagement sessions to arrive at a plan of action to help reveal the truth of history for the benefit of future generations of Minegoziibe Anishinabe citizens.

The respectful engagement has also included reaching out to potential partners in exposing the truth, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Winnipeg, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Brandon University, the federal Special Interlocutor’s office for Missing Children and the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP).

New champions were crowned at the sold out Battle for the Belts golf tournament, Sunday at the Gilbert Plains Country Club.

Jay Thiessen and Kolby Day combined to shoot a 59 to claim the championship belts, finishing one shot ahead of runners-up Chad Facey and Shawn MacQuarrie. Bob Gilroy and Christian Laughland were awarded third place on a countback, with a 65.

Winners of the first flight on a countback were Earl Thompson and Larry Nepinak, with second place going to Bailey Reichmuth and Kale Bombak. Both teams finished with a 67. In third place was Cole Kopytko and Taylor Fletcher with a 68.

A countback gave first place in the second flight to Dave Campbell and Curtis Campbell over runners-up Clint Baxter and Blair Johnson, while Lloyd Campbell and Rylan Campbell were third. All three teams shot a 71.

The top three teams in the third flight also finished tied after carding a 73. First place went to Scott Lynxleg and Merv Lynxleg, with Josh Yaschyshyn and Keenan Yaschyshyn in second place and Brock Nixon and Carl Bicknell in third.

Chris Porter and Kaine Morran won the fourth flight on a countback, carding a 75. In second place, also with a 75, was Dylan Ushkowski and Mitchell Prawdzik, and in third place was Troy Caruk and Shaun Caruk, also with a 75.

Shawn Sarkonak and Jamie Hodgson shot a 77 to win the fifth flight on a countback over runners-up Fred Letain and Gerald Musey, while Ian Brezden and Jordan Pernarowski were third, also with a 77.

In the sixth flight, a countback awarded first place to Colton Stadnyk and Richard Eliuk. In second place, with an 81, was Jamesa Morran and Lincoln Morran, while in third place, with an 82, was Dustin Dawson and Jodi Ganchar.

The most honest golfers were Megan Morran and Vander Morran.

Closest-to-the-hole/line winners were Mark Odut on no. 4, Ted Wojtowitz on no. 9, Dale Murray on no. 14 and Regan Hedley on no. 17.

Local resident Ken Kahut says he couldn’t believe the Municipality of Roblin’s response to a recent concern he brought up.

Kahut says he approached the municipality about what he felt was an issue at the former turn-off to the Rickers subdivision at Lake of the Prairies.

Find out what Ken wanted to do in this week’s issue.

A series of moose management meetings are scheduled to take place to discuss moose hunting in the Ducks and Porcupines.

The town halls are hosted by the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), Manitoba Natural Resources and Development along with the Canadian Section of the Wildlife Society.

Details in this week’s Review.

Pelicans are a bird of superlatives. While they don’t necessarily top the bird world in any one category, they rank high on many lists of “the largest/biggest/best” in North America.

For example, pelicans are among the heaviest flying birds (up to nine kgs), have one of the largest wing spans (up to three meters), and of course have the largest beak to rule them all.

Read all about pelicans in this week’s Moments in Riding Mountain

Opaskwayak Sundance was held from July 6 to 9 at Alvin and Marie Merasty’s property. This was the fourth Opaskwayak Sundance held and nine dancers graduated this year. Although the Opaskwayak Sundance is in its early years, Alvin Merasty have been involved in Sundances in other communities since 1985.
“This has been the fourth Sundance in Opaskwayak Cree Nation,” said Alvin Merasty. “This really got started because there’s been a resurgence of pan-Indianism. Joe Ross was instrumental in bringing Indigenous culture to a Christianized community. He was part of The Pas Friendship Center in the early 1970s, and he brought some Indigenous drummers and powwow dancers to teach it in the community. I really accredit him with how this cultural movement started again in the community.
“It strikes a chord in people, especially when they hear the Indigenous drumming and singing.

The Manitoba Underground Opera is returning to The Pas, giving children and people of all ages some exposure to classical music and opera. The goal of their Opera for Children Tour is to bring opera and classical music experiences across the province.
“The Manitoba Underground Opera was founded in 2008 by a group of students who wanted to share their love of opera,” said Manitoba Underground Opera Administrative Director Janice Marple. “Since then, we've grown into a fixture of Winnipeg's arts scene, presenting an annual season that includes three fully staged operas, concerts, and outreach events around the city. Our Opera for Children Tour began in 2017, and now brings opera to more than 1000 children all over Manitoba each year.”
This year’s production for the Opera for Children Tour is based on a classic children’s story that includes both animals and music.

Last week Arctic Gateway Group announced that the Port of Churchill’s 2023 shipping season is in full operation and the first resupply ship arrived yesterday.
“The Port is on track to see increased exports over last year,” said Arctic Gateway Group Board of Directors Chair Mike Spence. “Continued improvements on the rail and Port infrastructure will continue to improve service, including allowing train speeds to increase for rail operations. Improved service will be more attractive to shippers and further increase exports.”

The Swan Valley Farmers’ Market is now underway, with the first one of the year taking place on Thursday afternoon (July 13). Markets will continue to take place weekly from 4-6 p.m. at the Swan Valley Historical Museum, until the end of September, with vendors selling items such as fresh garden produce, baking, handmade items and more... 

Halverson Hauling has commenced the demolition of the former Conrad Apartments at 124 Fifth Avenue South in Swan River. The multi-family residence was evacuated in 2020 after multiple fires destroyed the building and approximately two dozen residents were displaced. The building has since been in legal limbo as invested parties are deciding whether the property owner or insurance company is responsible to pay for damages and demolition. The Town of Swan River has hired Halverson Hauling for a quoted price of $70,000 with the expectation that they will eventually recover the cost from the property owner. The demolition is expected to be completed by the end of the month.