Bloodvein, Berens River, Poplar River, Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids First Nations Feb 13-18

"I am constantly seeking to live apure life and, by my life, to be an example to the children of Pauingassi and the community as a whole. I have peace in my soul."

Quotation from Charlie George Owen beneath his picture in the Omiishosh Memorial School in Pauingassi.

This past week, I spent four days on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. We began in Bloodvein, where we met with Chief Frank Young and members of his council (top photo). During the meeting, we had a "Moose Break" - to watch a moose crossing the Berens River outside where we were meeting (photo 2).

In Berens River, we found a Great Grey Owl, our provincial bird (photo 3). There, we visited the school where I talked to two of the classes (photos 4 and 5). At Berens River, they are preparing for the construction of the east side road by crushing gravel (photo 6). They are also active in cutting logs (photo 7) and in building split log homes (photo 8). This provides considerable local employment, as well as improves the local housing situation. With council members we reviewed maps of the options for the location of the road to Berens and future roads to the north (photo 9) as well as the location of the proposed World Heritage Site.

At Poplar River, we met with Chief Russell Lambert and his Council (photo 10). One of our stops was at the Head Start program (photos 11 and 12), an active program which is preparing young children to be ready for starting school. It is making a difference, and it is helping parents as well as children.

In Pauingassi, we met with council members (photo 13) , and met with principal Cindy Romahn, a dedicated professional who is working hard to improve the lives of children in the community (photo 14). The school is well designed and attractive (photo 15).

At Little Grand Rapids we visited the rapids themselves (photo 16 - shows my travelling companions Orville Woodford and Peter Koroma near the rapids). We met with several councillors including Deon Lam (photo 17).

The winter road between Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids is impressive - as wide as a ten lane highway in places (photos 18 and 19).

During the course of our four days, we discussed many issues, including health care (and the high incidence of diabetes), issues with child and family services, the need for more recreational facilities for young people, head start programs, improvements in the provision of grades 10, 11 and 12 so that more young people from the community graduate from grade 12, economic development initiatives including the east side road, the proposed World Heritage Site housing, fishing issues and issues related to Manitoba Hydro. I want to thank all those who helped make our visit possible, and the members of the five communities who are clearly engaged in trying to improve their communities. I will not forget my visit, and I look forward to working together with members of the communities in the future.