Point Douglas Community News
Vol. 8 *  Issue 6 * September / October 2010

Inside this issue

"Will You Help Us?"

View more photos of the Governor General's visit at our Photo Gallery

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by Mary Mathias and Valerie Himkowski

This issue shows the importance of speaking up and making your ideas known. Too many people these days think they can’t make a difference in their community. Not true, but you have to stand up and be heard. You have to become involved with individuals and community groups working for change. A few years ago, Governor General Michaelle Jean listened to the voices of some Point Douglas children, and as a result she championed our community around the world. Another way to make your voice count is to participate in the census and to vote in every election. Your voice added to others can create positive change!  ♦

 DATES TO REMEMBER

          Mayoral Candidates Forum

October 18, 7 pm

Indian and Métis Friendship Centre, 45 Robinson

Civic Election -- October 27  

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By Barry Hammond

People sense that we are heading into harder times. In the short run, we are experiencing spells of extreme weather and economic downturns which can result in lost jobs and even lost homes. In the longer term, we are noting climate change, a global burden of debt, and diminished access to clean oil.

How can we help people begin to think and to plan more hopefully for the future rather than experiencing depression or denial? Some municipalities have turned to a “transitioning” mode in which car-share co-ops are replacing single vehicle usage and local self-sufficiency is replacing global exploitation. Urban agriculture, bicycle paths, and smooth, accessible sidewalks are becoming the infrastructure replacing roads and vehicle bridges. School yards can be gardens. Skills in small-scale agriculture, simple house-building techniques, and food preservation can replace consuming at big box stores.

Can we adapt to a lower carbon future and a more just international community? We know that tackling energy and environment issues will require more than a change in light bulbs, important as that may be. Positive thinking and hope for the future may be the greatest output from an approach which focuses on community development through greater self-sufficiency.  ♦

Feedback is invited to: hammondb@cc.umanitoba.ca

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By Sel Burrows

Will Frame, a long-term Point Douglas resident, is coming out of retirement to challenge for the Canadian Masters Arm Wrestling Championship.

Currently a ‘junior Senior’, Will is being sponsored by the North Point Douglas Seniors Association (NPDSA) as he competes in two levels. Will was a champion arm wrestler in his youth.

It was his suggestion that led to the Arm Wrestling demonstration with Mike Pagtakhan, which was held a few years ago at Norquay Community Centre.

Even out of training, he was able to arm wrestle and defeat some of the Manitoba and Canadian champions who came to Point Douglas. Several months ago Will started training seriously and qualified for the National Championships which are being held in Winnipeg Sept 4^th and 5^th.

Will is typical of so many wonderful Point Douglas residents with hidden talents. He is shy about his accomplishments. He also had a try-out with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and is an accomplished golfer.

While he has phenomenally-muscled arms, he is a gentle man who glories in caring for his partner and his very spoiled cats.

This is being written before the competition, and we know all of Point Douglas will join The Seniors in wishing him good luck and strong arms.  ♦

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By Valerie Himkowski 

The kitchen renovations at the Norquay Community Centre were completed just in time for the Governor General's visit.

It’s been a topsy-turvy summer here at the community center with all the construction going on. This includes the renovation of the kitchen, the building of the new playground, and the landscaping at the front of the centre, which will continue through the fall.

Most of these things have been in the planning stages for many years, and we are grateful to see all the hard work of those involved come to fruition. 

Community members and guests enjoy a meal together at the Governor General's celebration.

We welcome all the new board members to NCC. The City of Winnipeg has hired a part-time sports convener for Norquay, so welcome to Bob Gringras, too.

He will be working with our own volunteer sports convener and other members of the board to increase participation in organized sports and other opportunities in recreation. 

Fall programming will commence Sept.7^th and includes:

•  After-school,
• Drop-In,
• Homework/Computers,
• Crafts
• and our twice weekly Toddler’s Day Out program.        
• Our partnership with G.A.P. (Graffiti Art Program) continues,
• as well as with the City, with Youth Drop-In,
• “SPIN” Sports,
• Check It Out Reading Zone,
• and guitar lessons.
• MI YA WA TA will once again join us,
• along with Constable Allard and the Timbits Hockey Program.  

Please call the centre for more information on programs and times/dates, visit our webpage or come down to 65 Granville and pick up a monthly schedule.

Community Centre Fall & Winter Hours

Monday to Friday, 5pm to 9pm
Saturday, 1pm to 5pm

Ages 10 and under sent home at 7pm

Upcoming Events

Free Family Movie Nights - September 22, November 24

Halloween Dance - October 29    Admission $2.00   

Coming this Fall -- MI YA WA TA Youth Club - Youth Action Centre

Canoeing & Kayaking - Ages 12 to 18

At the North Centennial Pool - Transportation/Snack provided

Register now - Limited Spaces!

Graffiti Art Programming (GAP) worked with neighbourhood children to beautify the Euclid Avenue community garden.

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by Rob Galston

In the mid-1870s, John C. Schultz and his family moved from St. Andrews to Point Douglas. Schultz, an early Manitoba merchant, journalist, politician, and a staunch opponent of Louis Riel, moved to be closer to the growing business centre developing in the new city of Winnipeg. The family chose to build their house facing the Red River on the north bank of Point Douglas in what is now the recently named Michaëlle Jean Park.  

As the city grew up around the Schultz estate, five other houses were built on large lots in what became Norquay Park by 1905. The Schultz family left Point Douglas for Broadway Avenue in the 1880s, and in 1909 their former home was used as the first Winnipeg Children’s Hospital, which had a live-in staff of eight nurses.  

By 1918 a dock was built at the end of Lusted Street, and in the summer of that year, Winnipeg’s weekly labour paper The Voice advertised that the steam ship Keenora would embark on weekends from the Lusted dock for day trips to St. Andrews.  

In the early 1920s, the Parks Board was looking to sell Victoria Park, located on the Red River between James and Pacific in South Point Douglas. Although that neighborhood was one of the most densely-populated in the city at the time, it was felt that the increasing presence of wholesaling and industry there made a park unnecessary. No doubt, the reputation Victoria Park had leading up to the General Strike 1919 as a gathering place for socialist and labor activity also encouraged the City to liquidate this public asset.  

But what South Point Douglas lost, the North gained: the city sold Victoria Park to the Winnipeg Electric Co. and in 1924 used the proceeds to purchase  6.5 acres of land and develop it as Norquay Park at a total cost of just over $39,000. By then the Children’s Hospital had moved to Aberdeen Ave., and the old Schultz house had been destroyed by fire.  

Photos from the time show a place not too different from the park today--a small wading pool crowded with children and parents, and kids playing in the ridges by the river. A city document described parks like Norquay as places where children and mothers who could not get to Assiniboine or Kildonan Parks regularly could find “real comfort and pleasure” and “give expression to innocent and carefree laughter such as only children can indulge in.”  

From its creation, the park seemed to be officially named Norquay Park (after the late Premier who had lived on nearby Hallet Street), although some sources through the years refer to it as Beaconsfield Park. To generations of kids in the neighborhood, it was simply known as “Banana Park.” There are likely multiple explanations for this name, but one old-timer cites the bushes found in the park that produced banana-looking flowers.  

By mid-century, the riverbanks in the park were places where men would gamble playing cards and dice games. This seemed to be such an issue that in 1956 at least once city councilor opposed the construction of the Norquay Neighborhood House (now the Norquay Satellite building), believing that it would simply push the gambling indoors. Apparently, this concerned representative’s fears were not confirmed, even after a larger community centre was built facing Granville St. in the 1970s. 

This year, the park became officially named Michaëlle Jean Park, after the out-going Governor General of Canada who has made ties with Point Douglas. According to the City, the process of naming the park after Her Excellency was able to occur so quickly because the park was not officially named. It is uncertain at what point the City of Winnipeg ‘unnamed’ the 86 year-old Norquay Park, but naming things after Governor Generals is nothing new. After all, nearby Lorne and Lisgar Avenues were both named after British-born Governor Generals who never once set foot in Point Douglas. 

Whether one calls it Michaëlle Jean, Norquay, or Banana Park, Point Douglas residents will continue to take pride in improving and enjoying this quiet, tucked away riverfront green space that attracted John Schultz and countless others over the years. ♦

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By Rob Galston

Some people say that they don’t vote because the election doesn’t matter to them. But if you ever take the bus or have kids in school, you are affected every day by what happens at City Hall. From small issues like messy garbage bins or a play structure, to police and changing the Disraeli freeway, your vote helps choose the people who make these decisions. 

For civic elections the city is divided into wards. In Mynarski ward (which includes North Point Douglas) only 28% of people who could vote actually voted in the 2006 civic election. This was the lowest number in Winnipeg. The Point Douglas ward (which includes South Point Douglas) did a little better, at 33%.  

As of August 20, there were six candidates running for Mayor, five candidates registered as candidates in Mynarski, while Point Douglas councilor Mike Pagtakhan faced no challengers yet.  

The election is on Wednesday, October 27, 2010. The polls will be open from 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 in the evening. Voters will choose from the list of candidates running for Mayor, candidates for Council in the ward they live in, and candidates running for school trustees in that ward. It only takes a few minutes to vote, and it is okay to bring your children with you. 

The City is encouraging as many people as possible to get their names on the voter’s list prior to October 27, but even if you are not on the list, you can still show up and vote on October 27. (The voter’s list includes everyone that voted in the last federal election, so you may be on there already. Call 311.) If you voted in the last civic election, you will already be on the list. Those on the voters list will be mailed a card with information about the location of your polling station. 

If you are not on the voter’s list, you can still vote on October 27, but you must be a Canadian citizen, eighteen years old or older, and a resident of Winnipeg since April 27, 2010, or earlier.  

When going to the polling station, those not on the voters list must bring either: (a) an official photo identification document issued by a federal, provincial or municipal government, which has your name and address (for example, a driver’s license); or, (b) at least two official documents that have your name and address printed on them (for example, a phone bill, a blank cheque, Manitoba Health card, bank statement). 

All of the residents associations in the North End have joined to help education people about voting. Watch for posters and workshops in Point Douglas. There will also be forums in the North End you can attend to hear what the mayoral and council candidates views are on different issues.

The Mayoral Forum will be on October 18 at 7 pm at the Indian/Métis Friendship Centre, 45 Robinson. Come out and decide who deserves YOUR vote!

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Interviewer:   Tyson Cormack           Photographer:  Adrian Stoness

Tyson posed the question:  Are you planning on voting in the upcoming civic election? If so, who are you supporting for Mayor?

Khalin:   "Yes, Judy WL 100%."
Apologies to Glen! Alert readers will have noticed a big mistake in the “Neighbourhood Voices” which appeared in the July-August issue. An incorrect photo accompanied the response for Glen, so it’s good he can appear as himself in this column. Apologies, Glen, and we hope you had a great summer enjoying the park and people watching.
		Glen:  "Yes, the best."
Doran: "No."
		Herb:  "Yes, the best."
David:  "Yes, not too sure, likely Judy."
		Rosa:  "Yes, I always vote for Judy."
Roanna:  "Yes, Judy."
		Lin:   "Yes, Judy."
Wayne:  "Yes, Judy. "

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By Angel Compton

Christie Paul, Jo Shepherd, Paul Kruse

We’ve been very busy at the Women’s Centre this spring and summer. In the month of May, we welcomed the most visitors to the Centre that we’ve ever had!  It is amazing that we fit over 1,000 guests in to our small space!

In June, we began our summer with outings for families which went to the Norquay Splash Park, Kildonan Park, Tinkertown, the Zoo, and Fun Mountain. The outings were well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The North Point Douglas Women's Centre Safety and Youth Outreach program planting Native Prairie plants with Norquay School CSI and area Urban Green Team youth at the Women's Centre curbside garden and other sites in North Point Douglas.

It is a time of change here as we are welcoming new staff members to the Centre! Jo Shepherd is our new Drop-in Coordinator, and we are very pleased to have her working with us.

Christie Paul is our new Neighbourhood Resource Coordinator, and we know that she will help us provide wonderful opportunities in Point Douglas.

Finally, we are happy to welcome Paul Kruse from Mediation Services. Paul is at the centre on the 2nd Thursday of each month as a resource for resolving conflict in the community. He is available by phone for the rest of the month at 925-3426. Come in for a cup of coffee and say hello to our new staff!   ♦

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We welcome your letters and opinions at any time.

You may contact us by email at thepoint.editor@pointdouglas.ca , by telephone at 942-6811, by writing to us at The Point Community News, c/o 116 Grove St. Wpg MB, R2W 3K8, or by dropping a letter into our mailbox at that address. ♦

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The Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre is very pleased to announce the completion of the MICEC Revitalization Project.

A Re-opening Celebration was held on June 30^th and we would like to thank all of our community members who came to celebrate with us. This project would not have succeeded without support and encouragement from our friends and neighbours in Point Douglas.

The centre is located at 119 Sutherland Ave, and we are open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

New features include a Children’s Reading Area, a public access computer and Wi-Fi.  We also have an extensive collection of books, videos, artwork and artefacts. This fall we will be offering various tours and programs for all ages. Please contact us at 942-0228 or micec@shawcable.com for more information. We look forward to seeing you soon!  ♦

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By Craig Ross 

In my last article for The Point, I told you about a new position at Mount Carmel Clinic working specifically with our local Aboriginal community. To explain how we came up with the idea, I pointed out that the Aboriginal population in North Point Douglas is now at 34% and 20% in South Point Douglas. Where did I get that information? The 2006 long-form census. 

You might have heard about the federal government’s plan to change how it runs the census every five years. What you might not realize is that this change could affect everything from where you eat to what kinds of programs your local clinic comes up with. 

Up until now, it went something like this: 1 out of every 5 households received the long version of the census, which asked for things like the ages, incomes, and even ethnicity of the people living there. Like the short-form census (that everyone else received), the long-form version was mandatory. That meant that, no matter which census form you received, you had to fill it out. That’s about to change. The short-form is still going to be mandatory, but now the long-form version is going to be optional. And many organizations and agencies are worried. 

In a recent article in the Globe & Mail (Why the census matters just about everywhere; July 23/10), the CEO of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association complained that restaurants depend on census data to choose where to set up shop. Even more importantly, the Canadian Nurses Association (www.cna-aiic.ca) is worried that it will get harder to justify new programs and services if we can’t get clear information about the make-up of our neighbourhoods. 

For example, in Toronto census data showed that a neighbourhood that used to attract young singles was quickly filling up with new immigrants and young families. Based on that information planners asked for (and received) money for a new library, child care spaces, and recreation facilities. 

Here in Winnipeg, Mount Carmel Clinic and other groups will keep watching the news closely. And we’ll continue to grow our services and programs based on the best information that we can find.  ♦

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At the end of June, Eagle Wing Early Education Centre effected the transition of our nursery-kindergarten program to our 49 Euclid location in the Filipino Srs Group of Wpg building. Our pre-school program remains at 49 Euclid, and our school-age program only is housed at Norquay School due to a reduction in our classroom size.

Our summer programming was a great success with picnics, bubble-blowing, sand and water play, as well as our popular field trips to exciting places such as Morning Sound Farm, the Science Gallery, Planetarium, Camp Manitou, the Forks and, of course, Tinkertown!  We had an on-site visit at 49 Euclid from the Fire Department. Our children are looking forward to their end-of-summer wind-up activities as they slowly transition toward a new school year. What a busy time – it’s hard to believe that fall is upon us.

The construction of our new child care centre is well underway and we can hardly wait for our ‘move-in’ date!

Do you play an instrument, hoop dance, drum or have a knack for telling great adventure stories? If you’re interested in sharing your time or talent and would like to volunteer at our centre, you must be at least 18 years of age and enjoy spending time with children. Please call our Director, Crystal, at 947-9411 for more details.  ♦

Construction Update

By Angel Peterson  

Construction has begun and is moving forward at a good pace! The new Eagle Wing Early Education Centre and the community room are slated to be completed by the end of December. Barber House rebuilding funds are being sought. We have a promise of some, but are continuing to seek support for this. A small, yet dedicated group of seniors is taking this on, as they plan to rent this building for a seniors drop in.  ♦

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By G. A. James

For Children
 Kids do not need a new "Back to School" wardrobe.  Instead check yard sales in expensive neighborhoods (that's right, you heard me) where you can find name brand clothing in excellent condition really cheap.  Also, always say "yes" to hand me downs from family and friends.
 
Purchase school supplies from stores such as Dollarama and SuperStore, both are reasonably priced and Canadian.
 
Pack healthy lunches for kids with finger foods such as carrot and celery sticks, raisins, peanut butter on crackers, rice cakes, yogurt and fruit slices.

Open savings accounts for your children and teach them about saving money in a fun, friendly way. No child is too young to learn.
 
For Teenagers
Style and fitting in with their peers are very important to teenagers. Shop at thrift stores and consignment stores, where they are sure to find good fashion deals.
 
Teenagers like variety, so learn to make international dishes like wraps and rice bowl dishes. Veggies and tofu is easy to make, inexpensive, and nutritious. A friend of mine who is a working mom of four teenagers makes fruit bars regularly, which her children can't get enough of.
 
Allow your teenagers to work part time, as long as it does not interfere with their studies. This will help them gain responsibility and confidence. Have a family discussion with your teenager about frugal living, savings, and financial goals. Make the discussion fun. Teenagers like to find unique ways to deal with situations and finances are no different.
 
For University and College Students 
Always apply for scholarships and bursaries to cut down tuition costs. You never know, you may be the lucky recipient.
 
During orientation week, you will be offered credit cards from companies. Turn these down.
Believe me, in the long run you will be happy that you did.
 
If you and a friend are taking the same courses, why not share textbooks and save.
 
Avoid extra expenses such as cable TV, theatres, nightly bar trips etc. Limit entertainment to one night a week. Frugal entertainment includes renting a DVD from the library, volunteering, or taking in a movie, talk or presentation from the university. Watch for free plays, concerts and fairs taking place in the community. Learn about historical areas such as the Exchange District or the Forks. Have a potluck with your friends.
 
Work part time on or off campus. If you are good in a subject, why not tutor?  Or start a part time student business. Whatever you choose to do, studying and working part time will give you priceless skills that you can carry into your career. 

 Have a fabulously frugal and fun back to school experience!
 
 If you would like any information, or if you would like me to speak to your organization,  please email me at fabulouslyfrugal@live.com.  ♦

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FACT Fall Grant Intake: 2010 Deadline: October 2010 Maximum amount available: $3,000.00 For programming under one of our four “Pillars”: Healthy Lifestyles, Literacy, Parenting and Community Capacity Building *One day events are limited to a maximum grant of $500.00 Open to non-profit organizations operating in and serving children and families in the Point Douglas Community Area. For more information or to request an application, call 582-1518, e mail Fact@mts.net, or on our website:www.factcoalition.org

TREE BANDING Volunteers are needed to help our trees! Meet at Joe Zuken Park 10 am, September 11

Angel's 24-Hour Childcare Angel Peterson, a long-time NPD resident, has opened her new home as a 24-hour Childcare! There are openings for all ages.  Please check out her web-site:  www.angels-24-hour-childcare.mb.ca

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The Point would like to thank our advertisers, past and present, for their support of this vital community service. We urge our readers to support our advertisers at every opportunity. We are a community.

The Point strives to be a non-partisan organization, and as such, we welcome campaign advertising from all candidates in our civic elections. Please contact our Advertising Sales Manager for further information.

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