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By James Wastasecoot
Peguis Jan. 23, 2024 - Jordin Tootoo of NHL fame made a visit to Peguis Central School today to speak to students about how to face hardship and succeed. Tootoo, the first Inuk to play in the NHL, hails from Rankin Inlet on the Hudson Bay. Both of his parents were alcoholics and family violence was ever present. His older brother Terrence played with the OCN Blizzard and Jordin followed in his footsteps when he too joined the team in 1998-99. Tragically, in August 2002, Terence died by suicide at the age of 22, in the wake of an arrest for drunk driving.
Jordin’s NHL career spanned 13 years during which he played with the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils and Chicago Blackhawks. “I basically grew up in Nashville,” he told students who asked which team was his favourite. He played for the Predators for seven years. On his jerseys, Tootoo wears the number ‘22’ as a play on words of his name.
A big TV screen was set up at the school gym which played a Youtube video where Tootoo is seen scoring goals, throwing body checks, and getting into fights. Jordin spoke to the students about his career and his life experience which he said has taught him that if you have a dream, the only thing standing in your way is hard work and learning the lessons which life offers you along the way. “My father always told me ever since I was a little kid, ‘no matter where you are in life, home will always be home. Get out and get your education, your experiences.” He told students: “Remember that in order for you to grow as an individual, you got to be able to fail, and understand that failure is okay. Far too often, we teach our young ones that failure is a no option. Well, how are we supposed to learn if we don’t fail?”
We learn from our mistakes and failures he said. He added: “We as Indigenous people reflect and come together when we’re outside. Take time out of your day, put pen to paper and begin writing your story. Let’s be encouraging to one another.”
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By James Wastasecoot
Tensions that have been brewing between Chief Bird and a quorum of council members over two senior staff spilled out at a band meeting at Peguis community hall on January 18. The day before, Chief Bird, with the support of Councillor Deno Cameron, terminated the positions of Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ryan McCorrister and Human Resources Director, Gerald McCorrister. Former Councillor Wade Sutherland said he was concerned that Chief Bird went against quorum. “That’s crazy dangerous man,” he said. “Because now, anybody, everybody’s liable, everybody can be fired at the whim of him and Deno Cameron. That’s bullshit. That’s not right.”
At least one councilor felt that the firing of the COO was because of community pressure to remove him for his criminal record rather than work performance. “We can’t keep retraumatizing our people because it’s something they did 20 years ago,” said councilor Terrence Sinclair. “And say if it was brought up that we can discuss his tardiness and, and his performance, I would have been more than open to having those discussions.” He said his voice was shut out “because I’m loud.” But Sinclair also admitted that he had to reach out to the worker to “try to encourage him to come up to work more.” This admission aligns with the chief’s insistence that the issue was worker performance due to absence from work and tardiness. The COO position is the head of administration and pays a 6-figure salary. McCorrister had not been showing up for work on regular basis, according to Chief Bird. “I’m not about firing everyone, or anyone. If your performance is lacking then someone else needs to take that job over because in the end it’s a community that suffers,” he said. He added: “It’s about holding people to account.”
Sutherland brought up another hot topic in the community, the appeal launched by former Chief Glenn Hudson of the April 6 election. Sutherland told Bird he hopes the April 6 “election is overturned because we can’t have another three years of your bullshit.”
Councillor Mary Bird stated that the decision to dismiss the two managers was made without a quorum, and that the termination notices were thrown on the council table without prior discussion. Neither of the managers who were fired was present at the meeting. Chief Bird said he tabled the matter with council four times, but was opposed each time.
Former Councillor Sutherland also took aim at Councillor Kelvin Wilson. “Kelvin Wilson, I want your resignation,” he shouted. “You released information to 269 and you signed an oath of confidentiality. You’re no longer, you know what, you should step down immediately.” 269 is the protest movement that campaigned for change in the April 6 election where then Dr. Stan Bird spoke on several occasions. Wilson gave an emotional reply a few minutes later. “And I am going to resign but not because of Wade,” he said.
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Terra Indigena news is owned and operated by Terra Indigena Inc, a non-profit with headquarters in Peguis, Manitoba. It is published monthly and distributed to points in Peguis, Selkirk, Fisher Branch, and Winnipeg. Terra Indigena is a free newspaper that is independent of the Peguis First Nation council. This strengthens information sharing that is fact-based so that Peguis citizens can be informed participants in their governance. We welcome all viewpoints that contribute to the conversation. PO Box 299, Peguis, MB R0C 3J0 Our website: https://terraindigena.ca.