While Truth and Reconciliation Week 2022 is in full swing, Wednesday and Thursday day were/are dedicated to specific groups. But coming up, these are noteworthy: 1. Thursday night at the All Nations Sharing Circle at the Riverbank Discovery Centre: Canupawakpa Dakota Nation’s Noella Eagle joins us once again in our second year of Truth and Reconciliation Week in Brandon to answer the question: What is Truth and Reconciliation? Noella is a language keeper and educator. She unpacks what those words can really mean to each one of us – Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Friday, Sept. 30 is a big day. Noella Eagle will offer an introductory teaching on Truth and Reconciliation, followed by Dakota Knowledge Keeper Frank Tacan, who will offer a teaching on Orange Shirt Day. That’s at 10 a.m. at the All Nations Sharing Circle at the Discovery Centre. At 1:00 p.m., at the big tent amidst the tipis at the Riverbank, a formal event will take place prior to the Orange Shirt Day Walk. This is the agenda: Emcee: Wakpa McKay Mayor Rick Chrest will offer a few words. Chief Jennifer Bone will unveil the honorary street signs that will be located at Grand Valley Road and 18th Street and Grand Valley Road and 34 Street (the road that leads to the site of the former Brandon Indian Residential/Industrial School) – Wokiksuye Canku (Remembrance Road in Dakota). Chief Bone will speak. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation’s residential school committee has offered survivors an opportunity to share with those who have gathered for the walk The walk is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m., once we’ve seen the Elders and Survivors off on a bus that will take them to the residential school site, where they will observe the walkers who pass through the site in support. A photo of the route is attached. If all works out as planned, the Unity Riders will meet the walkers at the base of the field (an old road that is between two fields and is walkable) and lead them up to the site. We won’t be pausing at the site, as there will be too many people. We will loop to the right and over to 34th Street, and head back to the Riverbank Discovery Centre for food. 4. Saturday, Oct 1. – Healing by the River – and evening of ceremony and performance. (Program attached.)  This event begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Fusion Credit Union Stage at the Riverbank Discovery Centre. On that night we experience and celebrate Indigenous culture. **Please note: We hope to spread the word that people should definitely bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. We are graced with excellent weather once again, but when that sun goes down … Brrrr. Bring some layers and blankets! 5. Finally, on Sunday Oct. 2, as a follow up to our 1:00 p.m. Reconciliation Panel we hold on Saturday, we will host an Economic Reconciliation Panel, with Gambler First Nation Chief David LeDoux as the Keynote Speaker. This is the agenda: Emcee: Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Connor Ketchen Introduction and preamble by Mayor Rick Chrest, broad lines from a political standpoint Keynote Speaker Chief David LeDoux will present the vision for the Gambler First Nation Brandon property and celebrate key economic milestones thus far Guest and staff speakers: 1) Heritage Co-op’s Western Nation’s Barry Cooper. Western Nations is a growing network of independent, locally owned Indigenous gas bars. 2)The City of Brandon director of Economic Development Sandy Trudel. 3) And others. Objectives of Truth and Reconciliation Week To honour: a) the Indigenous children who never made it home; b) the Indigenous children who made it home but would not survive the damage done to them; c) the Indigenous children who made it through despite the life-long scars in and on their persons inflicted by horrifying policies made real or, worse, nightmares, by people willing to enact and abuse those policies; d) the Indigenous children and children's children of the survivors who continue to live with the consequences of those policies, including what is now ingrained in Canadian systems and society; and e) the Indigenous families and communities, whose homes and community spaces went silent when their children were ripped from them. To offer immersive learning opportunities, free to all Brandon residents, steeped in Indigenous history, perspectives, and culture. To build stronger relationships among Brandon’s diverse population and the Indigenous people who have lived on these lands for millennia, rooted in mutual respect and understanding. To bring the community together in the spirit of reconciliation, based on truths of the past.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On September 26, 2022, at 5:30 pm, police responded to a report of a male pacing outside a business in the 300 block of 10th street while carrying a chainsaw.  The male was waving the chainsaw around while people were trying to access the business.  Police arrested the 53-year-old male and lodged him at Brandon Police Service.  He will be released in the morning to appear in court on November 28, 2022 on a charge of Possession of a Weapon.

(ACC Release) Assiniboine Community College is continuing its partnership with Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology and Indigenous Youth Development Canada to deliver a tuition-free Heavy Duty Technician program. The second intake of the program will commence in December 2022 at the college’s North Hill campus in Brandon. The program prepares students for in-demand careers within a trade that employers report has a shortage of skilled workers. “Students in the first cohort of this program were afforded the opportunity to enter a job market with excellent potential. We’re thrilled to be able to welcome even more learners to this program who, without this support from Algonquin College, otherwise may not have had this chance,” said Kevin Poirier, Assiniboine’s Dean of Trades. Selection into the eight-month program will focus on engaging Indigenous youth 18 to 30 years of age, who are not in employment, education or training (NEET Youth). There is space for 15 students. Tuition, textbooks, personal protective equipment, supplies and tools are all covered at no cost to those enrolled in the program. As part of the program, participants will complete hands-on, in-school training for 28 weeks plus a 280-hour paid work placement. “The thing I enjoy the most is probably the hands-on experience—everything from learning the fundamentals of electrical components, learning how to wire up the lighting system, to tearing apart and rebuilding an engine. This program has given me the chance to improve my skillset. With that, along with the hands-on knowledge of our instructors, I feel confident to step forward on this career path,” said Josh Papesquash, a graduate of the first Heavy Duty Technician cohort, who completed his training in August. Students who complete the program gain credit for their Level 1 common core apprenticeship accreditation, allowing them to branch out even further into Heavy Duty Equipment, Agricultural Equipment or Truck and Transport specializations. “Costs for training to support entry into the job market are an ongoing barrier to employment,” said Assiniboine’s Director, Indigenous Education, Kris Desjarlais. "It’s welcome news when we’re able to offer opportunities where students don’t have to worry about funding and can enjoy a hands-on learning environment, free of this financial strain. With this, learners are free to focus on their training.” “With the program being tuition free, it gives me the opportunity to focus on my classes without the troubles of looking for funding. It also gives me the drive to make sure I take advantage of such an amazing opportunity,” said Papequash. Interested candidates must attend a free program information session as part of their admissions process into the program. Sessions are available on October 12, November 3 and November 10. For more program details and to register for an info session, visit assiniboine.net/heavydutyTF.

The Government of Canada has announced the removal of all COVID-19 entry restrictions, as well as testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada, effective October 1, 2022. Transport Canada is also removing existing travel requirements. As of October 1, 2022, travelers will no longer be required to: undergo health checks for travel on air and rail; or wear masks on planes and trains Effective, October 1, 2022, masks will no longer be required at Brandon Municipal Airport. “As of October 1, 2022, the wearing of masks in the terminal building at Brandon Municipal Airport will be optional,” notes Greg Brown, Brandon Municipal Airport Manager. “This will help take some of the confusion out of travel and should reduce some of the bottlenecks at larger airports.” Although the masking requirement is being lifted, all travelers are strongly recommended to wear high quality and well-fitted masks during their journeys. Reminder: Stay Home When You Are Sick Stay home if you are sick, even if you are only feeling a little unwell. During that time, avoid contact with others - including people in your household. Please continue to follow public health recommendations for isolation when you are sick. More information can be found at manitoba.ca/covid19/info-for-mbs.html. For additional guidance, please visit Government of Canada to remove COVID-19 border and travel measures effective October 1 - Canada.ca (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On September 25, 2022, police responded to a report of a male beating up a female in the street in the area of Cornell Bay shortly after 8:00 pm.  Multiple witnesses report that they attempted to stop the male from assaulting the woman; however, their attempts were unsuccessful and the male tried to fight them instead. After the male fled from the area, police set up a perimeter and used the Police Service Dog Unit to locate the male who was found hiding in a yard nearby.  The 32-year-old male suspect would not comply with the directions of police and was subsequently bitten, sustaining injuries before he was taken into custody. Both the male suspect and the victim were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries.  The victim, a 30-year-old female, received serious but non-life threatening injuries. Once the suspect received medical treatment, he was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Break and Enter and Commit Aggravated Assault, Resist Arrest, Fail to Comply with Release Order X2 and Fail to Comply with Probation X2.