Premier Greg Selinger and Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief announce partnership with Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and Right To Play to provide leadership programs for Aboriginal youth. Pictured, from left: Robert Witchel, National Director, Right To Play; Minister Chief; Premier Selinger; Dwayne Green, executive director, Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation; Mark Chipman, executive director, Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation; and Chief David Crate, Fisher River Cree Nation

 

July 8, 2013

PROVINCE TEAMS UP WITH RIGHT TO PLAY AND WINNIPEG JETS TRUE NORTH FOUNDATION TO HELP FIRST NATIONS YOUTH

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Program Promotes Healthy Lifestyle Through Sport and Recreation: Selinger

A new partnership between the province, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and Right To Play will promote a healthy, active lifestyle for Aboriginal youth through sport and recreation, Premier Greg Selinger and Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief announced today.
“This partnership will help Aboriginal youth reach their full potential by improving their health, confidence and self-esteem,” said Selinger.  “We are excited to work with the True North Foundation and Right To Play to bring innovative programs to First Nations communities.”
The Right To Play program will receive $250,000 in funding, with equal contributions from the province and the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.  The funding will support Right To Play’s Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program in Fisher River Cree Nation and Pine Creek First Nation.
“Right To Play has an impeccable track record through the work they have done in Ontario and around the world,” said Dwayne Green, executive director, Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.  “The PLAY program has proven to be sustainable and impactful within the communities with which it has been implemented.  We are proud to support Right To Play and the first two communities in Manitoba to participate in the PLAY program.”  
“We are so pleased with our partnerships with Fisher River Cree Nation and Pine Creek First Nation,” said Robert Witchel, national director, Right To Play.  “Both communities are very supportive of the PLAY program and together we are committed to building on the strengths of the youth.  The introduction of the program would not have been possible without the guidance, generosity and leadership of the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and the Province of Manitoba.”
“It is wonderful to see youth in our community engaging in meaningful activities,” said Chief David Crate, Fisher River Cree Nation.  “Leadership development, summer camp and sport workshops have added a new dimension to our existing programming and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the province, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and Right To Play.”
“On behalf of Pine Creek First Nation Youth, Community Mentor and Chief and Council, we would like to thank Right To Play, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and the Province of Manitoba for selecting Pine Creek First Nation as a pilot project,” said Chief Charlie Boucher.  “Our youth are excited each day for the new things the program has to offer and they are learning skills that will help them to take charge as leaders.”
“Building life skills is an essential investment that will help shape our future,” said Chief.  “We are grateful to our partners and look forward to working together to motivate and inspire youth.”
Right To Play is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity in more than 20 countries.
The Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation supports registered charities that focus on improving the quality of life for disadvantaged children and youth.
The Fisher River Cree Nation is located 220 kilometres north of Winnipeg and has an on-reserve population of approximately 1,700.  The Pine Creek First Nation is located 110 km north of Dauphin on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipegosis and has an on-reserve population of approximately 1,200.

July 8, 2013
PROVINCE TEAMS UP WITH RIGHT TO PLAY AND WINNIPEG JETS TRUE NORTH FOUNDATION TO HELP FIRST NATIONS YOUTH
– – –
Program Promotes Healthy Lifestyle Through Sport and Recreation: Selinger

A new partnership between the province, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and Right To Play will promote a healthy, active lifestyle for Aboriginal youth through sport and recreation, Premier Greg Selinger and Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief announced today.
“This partnership will help Aboriginal youth reach their full potential by improving their health, confidence and self-esteem,” said Selinger.  “We are excited to work with the True North Foundation and Right To Play to bring innovative programs to First Nations communities.”
The Right To Play program will receive $250,000 in funding, with equal contributions from the province and the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.  The funding will support Right To Play’s Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program in Fisher River Cree Nation and Pine Creek First Nation.
“Right To Play has an impeccable track record through the work they have done in Ontario and around the world,” said Dwayne Green, executive director, Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.  “The PLAY program has proven to be sustainable and impactful within the communities with which it has been implemented.  We are proud to support Right To Play and the first two communities in Manitoba to participate in the PLAY program.”  
“We are so pleased with our partnerships with Fisher River Cree Nation and Pine Creek First Nation,” said Robert Witchel, national director, Right To Play.  “Both communities are very supportive of the PLAY program and together we are committed to building on the strengths of the youth.  The introduction of the program would not have been possible without the guidance, generosity and leadership of the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and the Province of Manitoba.”
“It is wonderful to see youth in our community engaging in meaningful activities,” said Chief David Crate, Fisher River Cree Nation.  “Leadership development, summer camp and sport workshops have added a new dimension to our existing programming and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the province, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and Right To Play.”
“On behalf of Pine Creek First Nation Youth, Community Mentor and Chief and Council, we would like to thank Right To Play, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and the Province of Manitoba for selecting Pine Creek First Nation as a pilot project,” said Chief Charlie Boucher.  “Our youth are excited each day for the new things the program has to offer and they are learning skills that will help them to take charge as leaders.”
“Building life skills is an essential investment that will help shape our future,” said Chief.  “We are grateful to our partners and look forward to working together to motivate and inspire youth.”
Right To Play is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity in more than 20 countries.
The Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation supports registered charities that focus on improving the quality of life for disadvantaged children and youth.
The Fisher River Cree Nation is located 220 kilometres north of Winnipeg and has an on-reserve population of approximately 1,700.  The Pine Creek First Nation is located 110 km north of Dauphin on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipegosis and has an on-reserve population of approximately 1,200.
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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Government of Manitoba, Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation and Right To Play.


 

July 5, 2012

FIRST GENERATOR ONLINE AT WUSKWATIM GENERATING STATION

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Premier Selinger Announces 'First Power' from Newest Hydro Dam

THOMPSON — A ceremony was held earlier today to announce the first of three generators going into operation at the 200-megawatt Wuskwatim Generating Station, marking the start of power production at Manitoba’s newest hydroelectric facility.  Located on the Burntwood River in northern Manitoba, Wuskwatim is being developed by the Wuskwatim Power Ltd. Partnership (WPLP), a venture between the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) and Manitoba Hydro.  Manitoba Hydro will operate the project on behalf of WPLP.
Premier Greg Selinger, NCN Chief Jerry Primrose and Bill Fraser, Chairman of the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board, were on hand at Wuskwatim to announce this important milestone.  Dave Chomiak, minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro; NCN members and Hydro officials were also in attendance.
“Wuskwatim marks a new chapter in northern hydroelectric development for Manitoba,” said Selinger.  “For the first time, Manitoba Hydro has fully partnered with a local First Nation impacted by hydro development, ensuring that community members had a say in the planning, design and construction of this facility.  Wuskwatim has provided - and will continue to provide -years of income for the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, through training, employment and other economic development activities.”
“This is an exciting time for our community,” added Primrose.  “For the first time, our people will benefit in a more meaningful way from hydro development, rather than just through compensation after the fact. We have been active in this project from the beginning, and to see it come to fruition is extremely rewarding.”
Wuskwatim’s final two generators are expected to go into service later in 2012, marking the completion of the station.  Development of the $1.37 billion project began in August 2006 with the signing of the Wuskwatim Project Development Agreement (PDA) between Manitoba Hydro and NCN.  The agreement provided the option for NCN to own up to one-third of the Wuskwatim Generating Station through its wholly owned corporation, Taskinigahp Power Corporation.

While NCN has already confirmed that it will take a significant ownership position in the Wuskwatim project, the community has until July 2013 to decide whether it will exercise its option of acquiring the full 33 per cent permitted under the PDA.
Electricity from Wuskwatim will be fed into Manitoba Hydro’s provincial power grid and used to meet the domestic needs of the province.
Additional information on the Wuskwatim Project, can be found on WPLP’s website at http://www.wuskwatim.ca/ or Manitoba Hydro’s website at http://www.hydro.mb.ca/

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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro and Nisichawayasihk First Nation.

November 2, 2009
Reason to Celebrate
LAND SET ASIDE FOR NISICHAWAYASIHK CREE NATION– – –Transfer Fulfils Treaty Land Entitlement Commitment: Struthers

NISICHAWAYASIHK CREE NATION - Manitoba has completed the transfer to Canada of over 33,816 acres of land for the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) to date under the 1997 Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced at a meeting here today with the NCN chief and council.

“Fulfilling treaty land entitlement obligations to First Nations is a government priority,“ said Struthers. “Today we are one step closer to honouring our commitment.”

Manitoba recently transferred to Canada three parcels of land totalling 7,922 acres of Crown (Manitoba) land known as Mile 20 Second Revision (1,821 acres), Wapikunoo Bay (4,438 acres) and Suwannee Lake (1,663 acres) for the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

Previously, 25,894 acres of land were transferred to Canada for the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. With today’s announcement, the remaining Crown land entitlement for the NCN is just under27,945 acres, for a total commitment of 61,761 acres.

“Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation is to be commended for its economic development initiatives to date,” said Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson, acting minister of Aboriginal and northern affairs. “The land base provided through the treaty land entitlement process is a key part of continuing those successful efforts into the future.”

The land transfers fall under treaty land entitlement agreements that require Manitoba to transfer unoccupied lands to Canada so it can fulfil treaty land entitlement obligations.

Aboriginals being shafted again?



I heard on the news this morning that the First Nations people are protesting that the hydroelectric development project in northern Manitoba because it is not honouring their obligation to hire more local Aboriginal people to work here.

As an immigrant person living in Winnipeg, I am grateful to be here but I am disgusted at the way my First Nations brothers and sisters are being treated. This is their home and for many it's the only home they will ever know - they are not going to migrate to another country to live so I do not understand why more effort is not being put into training First Nations people for the jobs that are available within their own communities. I do not think it is fair to overlook First Nations. There should be First Nations staff positions at all levels of the project.

This project did not happen overnight, it took planning. Part of that plan should have been to ensure First Nations people are trained and ready to work on the project. It's about time First Nations should be treated as first class and not third world citizens.

Blockades and disruptions are what happens when people believe they are being overlooked and mistreated. I think the people responsible should do the responsible thing and honour the people who live in these areas with work so that they can provide decent housing and opportunities for their families.

I hope the First Nations people recognize the age old strategy of Divide and conquer and not to allow this to taint relationships between First Nations peoples over who gets work. I am sure there is enough work to go around.

Come on man, it's Aboriginal time to shine.