I wish to congratulate Larry Beardy of Split Lake, whose tireless efforts, dedication and commitment to helping northerners through the Anglican Church have not gone unnoticed. On Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Sacred Assembly at Sagkeeng First Nation, Isaiah Larry Johnson Beardy of Tataskweyak Cree Nation was consecrated as the Indigenous Suffragan Bishop of Northern Manitoba Area Mission of the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh, and Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Brandon and Missinipi Northern Saskatchewan in the Diocese of Saskatchewan.
I also congratulate Sya Gregovski, who last week became the ninth recipient of the Order of Thompson award in recognition of her long-lasting positive impact on northern Manitoba. This began when she arrived in Thompson in 1960, and continues to involve volunteering, sitting on committees, teaching, billeting at her home and assisting many charitable organizations.
Before resuming the legislative session in Winnipeg this week, our Manitoba government announced an investment of more than $310,000 from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund in a new tool that will allow nine police agencies, including RCMP in Thompson, to improve their responses to people experiencing mental health crises. The goal is to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations. With this funding, police will install the HealthIM risk assessment tool in patrol cars and on mobile devices to help them determine the best responses involving people with mental health difficulties. This tool will improve the safety of officers, the patients and the public.
Back here in Thompson, the Keewatin Tribal Council and volunteers deserve thanks for organizing a very well-attended event to mark Orange Shirt Day. It was my pleasure to meet Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee at the event in recognition of the history and legacy of residential schools and the resilience of survivors. If the present does not recognize the wrongs of the past, the future will take its revenge. We must never turn away from the opportunity to confront our shared history together.
