It was one of those events that Covid cancelled - over and over again. But in the end, it was well worth the wait. On October 22nd, the George P. Buleziuk Centre was filled with laughter, song and dance - and even a wee bit of fire - as well over 400 people who enjoyed a wonderful evening out with friends.

The Caribbean Cultural event has been a dream of Patricia Kopetski and her friend Cheryl Lenderbeck for quite a few years, when Pat had the idea to bring the joy of her home land to Russell as a fundraiser for a number of local charities.

Originally, the plan to have Caribbean food and dance, came up in about 2019. But then, the social part of life was essentially stopped by the pandemic. From there, over the next couple of years, everytime it appeared that the Covid restrictions may be lifting, Kopetski was on the phone to one provincial department or another, looking to see what the social distancing rules might entail and when she might be able to book the entertainment from Toronto and finally hold the event she’d been dreaming of bringing to town.

While there were some tense times, wondering if it would all work out, when the date finally arrived, the hall was all but full and aside from a few glitches with the sound the system - and a fire alarm set off by the fire eating limbo dancer - the evening was still a fantastic success.

Check this week's Russell Banner for more!

The Rural Manitoba Football League season came to a disappointing end for the Dauphin Clippers, Saturday, with a 26-14 loss to the Interlake Thunder in the league semifinal.

Matthew Zurba had one of Dauphin’s touchdowns, as did Joseph Lopez on a 60-yard interception return. Louis Prevot was good on both converts.

Lopez finished with 120 yards on 10 carries, while Oliver Dandeneau had 49 yards on nine carries.

Defensively, Lopez had seven tackles, one interception and a forced fumble, while Will Miner and Sully Fox each recorded a sack.

Clippers coach Jason Zurba said Interlake played well defensively, shutting down the Clippers offence.

“We just couldn’t move the ball on offence. They were solid on defence. They had big bodies and plugged the holes. They were the better team today,” he said.

Defensively, the Clippers had trouble containing some of the Interlake’s running backs, missing a lot of tackles.

“The boys were trying too hard to make the perfect play,” Zurba said. “That was basics on how to tackle. That was a big contributing factor on a couple of their touchdowns.”

Interlake also took advantage of some key penalties on high tackles, which contributed to their victory. But Zurba pointed out two good teams were playing each other and the better team won.

“I’m not disappointed in the season we had. We played well all year. We just couldn’t move the ball on offence today,” he said.

Although the Clippers will lose a number of players to graduation, they will also have a solid nucleus of returning players back next season. Looking back on the season, Zurba was most pleased with how the team played as a family.

“Everyone played together. You can see right now, the emotion everybody has. They were playing as a family, as one unit,” he said.

Interlake will now face the Moosomin Generals in the league final after the Generals beat the Swan Valley Tigers, 33-26.

The consolation final will pit the Neepawa Tigers against the Southwest Sabres after Neepawa defeated the ParkWest Outlaws, 51-28, and the Sabres beat the Virden Golden Bears, 34-26.

Ernie Sirski is the new Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Dauphin.

Sirski beat Tom Gibbs in last Wednesday’s election, with 458 votes, compared to 383 for Gibbs. In terms of percentages, Sirski won with 54.46 per cent to 45.54 for Gibbs.

Sirski admitted he is both excited and apprehensive about his election win.

“As most people know, I’ve never been involved in municipal politics, but I’ve been involved in a lot of organizations over my somewhat long tenure in farm politics,” he said. “So I’m excited. I’m looking forward to dealing with our residents.”

Sirski is also looking forward to working with the new council.

“I’m excited to dealing with our new council. We have a great council going forward. We’ve got youth. We’ve got experience. We’ve got incumbents. And they’ve got a leader who’s probably older than most of them put together,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being part of this rural municipality and, hopefully, contributing something in a positive manner.”

It does not matter if you win by one vote or 100, Sirski said, winning an election makes you feel good about yourself. And he was expecting a close race with Gibbs.

“I’ve known Tom a long time. I’ve known Tom for probably 30 years. I have a great deal of respect for him. He’s put his time in on the rural council. So I wasn’t the least bit surprised that it was this close,” he said.

Running in this year’s election was a good learning experience, Sirski said, adding he is looking forward to dealing with surrounding municipalities and the City of Dauphin, as well.

“So that we have mutual benefit for all our citizens,” he said.

Sirski expects he and the new council will be sworn in within the next couple of weeks.

Elected to council were Tammy Koshowski (596 votes), Todd Boguski (546), Midge Sametz (540), Ron Ryz (516), Ken Shewchuk (431) and Ken Plustwa (426). Also running, but not elected were Jack Bremner (413), David Johnson, (349), Darrell Inkster (134) and Wilf Kachurowski (130).

After a hard fought and heavily contested campaign the City of Dauphin has a new council in place to guide it over the next four years following polling in Manitoba’s General Municipal Election, Oct. 26.

Headed by David Bosiak as mayor, the new council features incumbents Christian Laughland, Kathy Bellemare and Devin Shtykalo, who will be joined by newcomers Steve Sobering, Randy Daley and Ted Rea.

Bosiak earned the mayor’s chair by claiming 74.14 per cent of the popular vote, a total of 1,995 votes to defeat former councillor Kerri Riehl, who earned 696 votes.

Laughland topped a field of 17 candidates vying for six council positions with 1,418 votes, followed by Sobering with 1,363 votes, Bellemare with 1,309 votes, Daley with 1,297 votes, Rea with 1,187 votes and Shtykalo with 1,176 votes.

Unsuccessful in their bids were Joe Houston, who earned a total of 997 votes, Jason Alf with 902, Patti A. Eilers with 792, Rodney P. Juba with 781, Tamara Michele with 580, Bev Sarkonak with 561, Michael Winter with 529, Ken Tarrant with 468, Gerry Wieler with 388, Sharon Riehl with 287 and Carter Taylor-Luke with 130.

The results, Bosiak, said, fit perfectly into his philosophy about bringing good people together and getting out of their way to let them do their thing.

“When you look at who was elected and their strengths and backgrounds and interests, it so well represents what I think we need to do as a community going forward,” he said. “There were others who didn’t get elected who I thought could have done a great job, but the six who did are exceptionally talented and motivated and positive thinkers. And it bodes well for us going forward.”

Eager to get started, Bosiak has already met with senior administration at city hall and has been in contact with elected officials in other area municipalities.

“I talked to a few other elected people from a few other municipalities who congratulated me, and I them. And we talked about working together as a Parkland region on a couple of things, which again just bodes well, I think,” Bosiak said, adding he is sensing an air of optimism after two years of pandemic restrictions. “I think everybody just paused during COVID, especially us with the two former mayors and the untimeliness of their passings and how that impacted us as a community. But I think that everybody is ready to move on.”

We do have to keep in mind that COVID is still with us and could once again threaten public health, we just have to be ready to deal with it, Bosiak said.

“We can’t lose sight that we are still dealing with something big, but that we are moving on and we are learning how to live in our new reality,” he said. “And I think that is a key piece of this. The pause that we had during the beginning of the pandemic, I think, is done, but us now going forward it is something we have to consider. And again, I think that the mandate we have got reflects what the community thinks, let’s think about the community and what is important to us.”

Forty-four per cent of eligible voters came out to cast a ballot, which Bosiak believes signals an optimism in the community and the desire to see positive things happening.

“Some of my shtick about forward together and us together as a team manifested. It was destiny, karma, whatever you want to call it, it’s the truth,” he said. “The resounding turnout was nice to see. The notion that people paid attention. A lot of people were not vocal about it, but they voted with their feet. They showed up and I am humbled by the support and ready to work.”

Bosiak is aware that expectations are high, his included, and he is going to remain cognizant of that and try to temper that enthusiasm.

“And ensure we are focused and, like we have done in the past, we develop priorities and pick them off one at a time,” he said. “We work on more than one at once, but we can’t do it all at once, We will understand that process and move forward.”

His goal is to eliminate that attitude that “this is Dauphin, it will never happen here, it can’t happen here.”

“Oh, yes, it can. So in the realistic sense, and it is not like we are going to shoot for the moon, but we are going to chip away and with a positive outlook on things,” Bosiak said.

There is lots of issues for the city to deal with, Bosiak added, and not all of them are favourable and positive.

“But I think the approach we will take in dealing with them is all positive. What good can come out of this? What can we do with this challenge to turn it into an opportunity or a benefit for us? So I think if there is nothing else that I am so enthusiastic about, is the approach we will take to deal with the issues facing us,” he said. “So I am just really excited, enthusiastic and motivated. I have already talked to all of the council members who got elected and we are all happy to be working together.”

Dedication to her patients, colleagues and community has earned a local physician a prestigious award from the Women’s Executive Network (WXN).

Dr. Bittoo Malik, a medical doctor specializing in diagnostic radiology at Dauphin Regional Health Center, was recently named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, an annual awards program which recognizes women across Canada who create meaningful change in the way they lead within their organizations and communities.

“I am honoured to be selected for this prestigious award and am humbled to join a legacy of Canadian women recognized for their outstanding contributions and achievements,” Malik said, reflecting on her selection.

Led by Dr Arturo Tamayo, a stroke neurologist at Brandon Regional Health Centre, and supported by physicians throughout the region, Dr. Malik’s nomination centred on her dedication to advancing medical imaging in Prairie Mountain Health, in particular, acute stroke imaging and assessment.

Dr. Malik is described by her colleagues as a powerful presence and determined force, demonstrating innovative leadership and transformative approach. A forward thinker, she has helped shape the evolution of trauma and stroke imaging and assessment. She is recognized for her inclusive perspective and unwavering commitment to inter-professional mentorship and collaboration in patient care.

“Achieving best possible patient outcome in stroke presentation requires a rapid co-ordinated effort by a team of health care providers, from first responders to triage and clinical assessment in the emergency department via telestroke, to emergent CT scanning, and review and diagnosis by the radiologist, thereby guiding treatment of lifesaving medication or transfer to Winnipeg for further interventional treatment,” Dr. Malik said, adding when she began working in the region in 2008, there was no real stroke imaging program.

“Because we’re in a rural area, it’s difficult for our patients to get very fast treatment. So I’ve, I guess, advanced that to the point where our patients are getting successful treatment because we’re imaging them within minutes of their arrival in the hospital. I’m looking at their imaging and providing a diagnosis so that they can have the treatment that they require, be it a clot busting treatment here in our ER or they are life flighted out to Winnipeg to have clot retrieval by one of our interventionalists in the city. And all of these things are incredibly time sensitive, so that’s one of the things we’ve accomplished quite well. Often it takes a team of people right from our triaging system to our EMS people bringing our patients in to our ER docs, our radiologists, our neurologists, all of us are working together for this.”

The Top 100 Most Powerful Women awards span the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, with the winners selected by WXN’s Diversity Council of Canada. The awards are presented in 12 categories. Dr. Malik received her award in the “Professionals” category.

Raised in Gilbert Plains, Dr. Malik obtained a Bachelor of Science degree and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Manitoba. She then completed a residency in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto and a residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Malik serves as a board member for Doctors Manitoba and when not working at the hospital, she can be found nurturing a garden, or practicing a new-found interest of yoga flow and tai chi qigong. An outdoor enthusiast, kayaking and skiing are among her favourites. She enjoys classical and jazz music, and architecture and design.

She is one of two diagnostic radiologists at Dauphin Regional Health Centre, the other being her brother, Dr. Neesh Malik, who has a special interest in oncology imaging, and vascular and interventional radiology.

WXN will celebrate each 2022 winner in person at its 20th annual Top 100 Awards Gala, hosted at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, Nov. 17.

Both the City and RM of Dauphin have new leadership.

Below are the results. Be sure to check next week's Dauphin Herald for plenty more!

 

 

OTHER PARKLAND MUNICIPALITIES 

The Hudson Bay Route Association (HBRA) held their 79th Annual General Meeting and Convention called Lighting Up the North at the Kikiwak Inn last Monday. This year’s appointed HBRA Board of Directors consists of Jim Berscheid as the President, Wayne Bacon as 1st Vice President and Len Gluska as the 2nd Vice President. The past president was Elden Boon.
The goal of HBRA is to promote education and, awareness of the need for continued and increased use of the Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill. As well, to identify and articulate the economic and strategic reasons why the Hudson Bay Route and the Port of Churchill are of great value to Canada in general, and Western Canada’s prairie regions in particular.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is running an election for Grand Chief after the recent removal of former Grand Chief Arlen Dumas. There’s been a bigger push for more Indigenous women to run for Chief in elections and this year there are some candidates in the running for AMC’s Grand Chief, one of them is Opaskwayak Cree Nation’s (OCN) Jennifer Flett.
“I am Ininewskwew from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, grew up in OCN and attended school in the Town of The Pas,” said Flett. “I’m the youngest child and daughter of the late George Flett and Maggie Flett. I completed my Grade 12 and received my High School Diploma in 1987 from the Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute.

Sergeant Ryan Peden and Master Corporal Terry Fullerton of the Swan River chapter of the Fourth Canadian Ranger Patrol Group have just returned from six weeks of working in Ottawa with the National Sentry Program (NSP), which posts members of the Canadian Armed Forces to guard in front of and around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The National Sentry Program reinforces Canada's commitment to remember and honour Canadians who served in the 20th century's major wars, including both World Wars. NSP also honours those who have contributed to Canada’s long-standing tradition of military excellence through to the present day.
The Canadian Armed Forces have posted sentries at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since 2007. The program includes a rotation of sentries from the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Canadian Ranger units from across Canada.
On Oct. 22, 2014, Corporal Nathan Cirillo was tragically killed while on sentry duty. Sentry duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier now holds an even deeper meaning for both the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian public.
Peden and Fullerton left Swan River for Ottawa on Sept. 8 and got back on Oct. 22. The first week of their arrival was spent training while the rest of the time they participated on four-days-on, four-days-off work weeks where they would spent their days on guard duty, sentry duty and security rotation.
“It’s been outstanding,” said Fullerton. “Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is quite an honour. The group I’m in has six Rangers and the rest are Air Force.
“We had a really good time meeting people from all over the world. When we weren’t doing sentry duty, one of our duties was being out on the tomb where we are walking and watching for any hazards and also watching if the people that are guarding need a hand. Other than that, you’re interacting with the public. We had to do a big history lesson on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier so that we could explain everything correctly.
“It’s been quite rewarding,” Fullerton continued. “You get quite a mix of reactions. You get some people who just come, sit, walk around and leave. The last few days it seems to be we get more emotional people who are laying wreaths or some memorial piece on their own. Then we go over and ask them if we can help them or if they just want to be alone.”
Peden and Fullerton worked in separate groups, but when they weren’t standing at attention on sentry duty, stone-faced and motionless, they were keeping a watchful eye on and around the tomb. And, when they weren’t doing that, they were watching security screens.
And, in addition to the every-day tourists and pilgrims that visit the site, dignitaries such as Canada’s Prime Minister and other foreign leaders stopped by on occasion.
On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, they also had a smudging of the site performed by Chief Petty Officer Pat Stevens, followed by a traditional lunch.
“It’s been an honour, a once in a lifetime experience to get to come to Ottawa and do this,” said Peden. “Standing in the memory of those that gave their lives is a humbling experience, and amazing to interact with people and make them more aware of the sacrifices made.”
Peden added that the most memorable highlights of his experience is the first time he was posted onto the tomb and the last time.
“The first time, you’re incredibly nervous,” he said. “There’s crowds of people, you’re being piped up and all the drills you’ve been learning for the past week are racing through your head. You want to make sure you get it right because of where you are.
“The last time, I was on shift for the last hour of the day that we were doing guard duty, and to stand there as the sun was setting and we were playing the lament on the bagpipes for the final time during the day, facing the monument and again just in that presence of that memory, you feel very grateful for what we have and very humbled by what other people gave so we could have that.”
Peden will also be returning to Ottawa to participate in similar duties during the National Remembrance Day service held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“During the day, there’ll be four people standing guard over the tomb,” he said. “There’ll be a member of the Army, a member of the Air Force, a member of the Navy and an RCMP officer. I will be the one posting them onto the tomb, so I’ll be calling the command drill and marching them down from where we’re posted to the tomb itself. It’s a big honour and I’m the first Canadian Ranger to do it.
“Hopefully it goes well because my chain of command and the Armed Forces put a lot of trust in me to come down and do it for the first time. I’m very honoured by that trust and I hope I do everyone proud by it.”