Tansi!

I want to thank all NCN Citizens and residents who went shopping in Thompson yesterday and followed the rules. I also am very disappointed in those who broke the rules. My Council and I, our Executive Management Team, Health Care and EMO professionals are not making up rules to make your lives difficult. We are taking these steps to keep a very deadly virus out of our community. The rules have been put in place to try to keep all of us safe. That is responsible leadership. The people who followed the rules are showing leadership.

Everyone has been warned for the past few weeks that violation of the rules we have in place will result in penalties. We were very clear that anyone who broke the rules related to shopping in Thompson would be fined $500.00. Those fines will be imposed. Each case will be reviewed and further penalties could be imposed – removal of benefits/Purchase orders under the Alternate benefits policy/community service/discipline/evictions and banishment.

For those of you who are shopping today or plan to go next week, this is a reminder that the following rules WILL BE ENFORCED:

  1. No person may leave the community before 6:30 am with the exception of essential services workers;
  2. Only four (4) people aged 18 and over can travel in each vehicle;
  3. A maximum of fifteen (15) people on a first come, first serve basis will be allowed on four buses. Social distancing will be in effect while on the bus. Pick up will be start at 9:00 am each morning and second trip at 1:00 pm the Gilbert McDonald Arena and drop off will be at the Family Foods in Thompson. Each person must go back to Family Foods to catch a ride back to NCN on the same bus they took to Thompson.
  4. No children will be allowed to leave the community by personal vehicle or bus;
  5. Any person who leaves the community to go shopping must be in the line up at the check-stop no later than 8:00 pm or they will not be allowed to re-enter the community;
  6. Each person ordinarily resident at NCN will only be allowed one trip out of and back into the community unless the person is an essential worker.
  7. No overnight trips or visiting in Thompson will be allowed;
  8. Fast foods will be allowed into the community on these days, but the First Nations Safety Officers shall have the discretion to search such food products;
  9. No alcohol or cannabis can be purchased;
  10. Each person leaving the community must agree in writing to abide by all NCN Laws and the provisions in this Order prior to leaving the community.
  11. Anyone who violates the rules will receive a $500.00 fine, which will be deducted from payroll and social assistance, and could be evicted, banished, have other benefits removed or be subject to other penalties, fines under the Public Health Orders (Manitoba) or Quarantine Act (Canada) and disciplinary action under NCN personnel policies.

Each one of us must act responsibly and do our part to keep the community safe. Oh’chinewin, one of our customary laws tells us that there is a cause and effect. If you violate the rules, there will be negative impacts for you and your family. We all have a collective responsibility. DO YOUR PART. OBEY THE RULES. THEY ARE IN PLACE TO KEEP ALL OF US AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

Ekosani.