The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
On July 11, I met with newly elected Chief Ovide Mercredi and the councillors of the Grand Rapids First Nation. We discussed many important issues involving the federal government and that community. Likewise, I met with Mayor Robert Buck and the councillors of the Town of Grand Rapids. We brought each other up-to-date on several matters and I toured the construction site of the community's new multiplex, which is to include an elders' centre, an ice rink, and bowling lanes, among other features. This project is exciting and will surely benefit everyone in the community. On July 20 I attended a fisheries meeting in Grand Rapids. Concerns were raised regarding damages to nets and boats resulting from high water levels. On August 4 I travelled to St. Theresa Point to meet with the Chief and Council and to visit many important facilities in the community that are in desperate need of improvement. Although I'd been to this community a number of times, I greatly appreciated the extensive background information provided by council during this trip. On the 5th, I travelled to Norway House Cree Nation for the Annual Treaty and York Boat Days. This annual festival is a wonderful time for me to visit with community members and catch up with old friends. In addition to taking in the events of the festival, I was pleased to meet with Mayor Lynn Mowatt and Councillor Andy Mowatt of the Community of Norway House. While visiting the museum at the historic Hudson Bay Company buildings, I particularly enjoyed the Mowatt family's historic display and a special interpretive addition provided by Ruth Christie. On August 7, I went to Flin Flon in order to join Members of the United Steelworkers, survivors, family, and friends at a memorial service in commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the industrial explosion that killed one person, sent 13 to hospital, and permanently damaged the lives of many others. See 'Next' P.# Con't from P.# August 12 was a day of celebration in Split Lake, as the community recognized the graduation of students from the Employment and Training Initiative. On August 17 I was at Opaskwayak Cree Nation for the Treaty and Indian Days Parade and Opening Ceremonies. The weather wasn't as nice as it usually is for this annual event, but that certainly didn't stop people from coming out to enjoy the parade and other events such as the canoe races and the community BBQ. I did prefer this year's rain to last year's snow, but I'm looking forward to a return to sunshine for next year. I returned to Grand Rapids on August 24 for their Treaty Days as band members received their historic treaty payments. Although the treaty payment itself, is only $5, it is symbolic of the government's responsibility to adhere to all aspects of the treaties. On the 29th I was to have traveled to Berens River for a meeting of the Berens River Trappers Association. I've spent a lot of time in the constituency office in Thompson during the summer months and have welcomed the opportunity to meet with constituents during this break from Parliament. I held office hours in Sagkeeng First Nation Constituency Office on July 14. It is important that I am still available to people in the area while that office is temporarily closed due to staff maternity leave. As always, the constituency offices in Thompson and The Pas are available by phone for the people living in the south-eastern part of this huge riding. In Ottawa The House of Commons comes back into session on September 28. It will certainly be interesting to see if this session will be as exciting as the last, I know it will be just as busy. Although the minority government requires that I spend the majority of my time in Ottawa, I will continue to make every effort to visit the communities of Churchill Riding during weekends. During the summer months, my offices may be closed temporarily for constituency travel and staff vacations, please leave a message when you call and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Thompson (204-677-1333); The Pas (204-627-1440); or toll-free 1-888-260-2231 Website: www.bevdesjarlais.ca
