The fifth-annual Leslie W. Turner Traditional Pow Wow honouring the 2019 University College of the North graduates was held on the grounds of Wapanohk Community School in Thompson last weekend, under a newly built arbour conceived by Wapanohk teacher J.J. Bujold. Hosted by Ininiwi Kiskinwamakewin Centre, cultural co-ordinator Leslie Mitchell and arbour director Karl Laubmann, this wonderful celebration included elders Jimmy Hunter-Spence, Martha Jonasson, Marie Ballantyne, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee and UCN graduates as well as drummers, singers and dancers from all over the province.
I’m grateful to people in our Thompson area who organize such colourful celebrations, and to those who assist our senior citizens. Seniors co-ordinator Lee Pickett, the Thompson Seniors Resource Council, sponsors and volunteers hosted an information session and barbecue at Rotary Place in Thompson last weekend in recognition of June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This was an opportunity for seniors to learn about resources to help protect themselves from online and phone financial scams. It was a pleasure sharing the evening with the capacity crowd of Thompson’s most experienced citizens.
Separately, at Thompson General Hospital on May 31, a roof-mounted air-conditioner coil pipe burst causing water to leak into the building. The Northern Regional Health Authority acted immediately to address the situation. The areas sustaining the most water damage were the operating rooms and support spaces directly below the air conditioner, though the extent of the necessary repairs is yet to be confirmed. It’s anticipated that once the scope of the work is defined, the repairs may take two to three months as the NRHA has reported.
Last month, before this water damage occurred, our government announced it would fund a replacement of the hospital’s roof. The project is being re-tendered this week, after no bids were submitted when the funding was initially approved in February 2018. Unlike the previous NDP government, we believe in a tendering process that provides the best value for taxpayers. The roof replacement is necessary because of years of deferred maintenance by the previous government. After a contractor is chosen, the project will begin and a completion date will be determined.
