Morden holds Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration Saturday
June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. On Saturday in Morden at Colert Beach, a program featuring Indigenous music and dancing took place.
Swan Lake First Nation Historian, Retired Elder and Indigenous Environmental Expert David Scott opened the program.
He said it was sad there has to be a day set aside to recognize First Nation’s people but reminded the crowd there was a time when they were not considered human. It was only in 1960 when John Diefenbaker was Prime Minister of Canada, that was changed, when they were given the right to vote.
Two big projects on the horizon for Morden's Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre
The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) got a financial boost last week, to build a one thousand-square foot building out at the Rm of Thompson dig site. The 1000-square-foot building is designed for half of the building to be for storage of dig equipment and tools, and the other half for a reception area to welcome guests working or touring the dig sites for the day. This area will include a small kitchen to provide lunch for the guests that are there for the full day or week.
CFDC Executive Director Adolfo Cuetara explained where the funding is coming from.
Filipino community celebrates Independence Day for the first time in Morden
A sense of celebration and anticipation filled the Morden Access Event Centre Sunday night, as families took their places at tables around an open dance floor. Approximately 400 people gathered for the Philippine Independence Celebration.
A Morden resident since 2008 and organizer of the first-time event, Jewel White described the evening.
Morden Mayor Brandon Burley takes on Federal Director Role at the Annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Conference
Earlier this month, June 2-5th, The Federation of Canadian Municipalities held their first member gathering in Regina, since pandemic restrictions have loosened. Mayor Brandon Burley, 4 Councillors and CAO Nicole Reidle attended the event.
Burley noted there was a lot of engagement and Morden City Council found some neat ideas to bring forward to the City of Morden, along with helpful resources for future project ideas and connections for infrastructure projects.
Morden Police Service Dog Chase sprints into retirement after twelve years of service
Last week, City Counsellors, City Staff, Morden Fire and Rescue team members, and Morden Police Service staff and family members gathered in the Morden Civic Centre to recognize the retirement of a special member of the Morden Police Service.
Police Service Dog (PSD) Chase served the community for twelve years and was commemorated with a small, intimate ceremony where she actively greeted each guest with a sniff, receiving a rub or pat on the head from almost everyone in attendance.
As pandemic restrictions loosen, addictions are more complex as people reach out for help
Heading into the summer months, Morden Police Chief Brad Neduzak shared a bit about a rising trend in the Pembina Valley.
"Over the last several months, we have seen an increase in the number of impaired drivers and alcohol-related offences, and for this, there could be several different reasons for it, and different influencers when it comes to these incidents."
Morden Spray Park closed temporarily this summer
In 2010, Morden Park saw the renovation of the wading pool area, transformed into a refreshing and colourful Spray Park. As the community has grown, wastewater management is something the community has been aware of and has looked for efficiencies to alleviate the strain on the system. Over the years, Morden's Parks and Urban Forestry has reused some of the water from the Spray Park to water trees and flowers in the community, but not all the approximately 20-40 thousand gallons a day.
Morden supports Winkler's quest to have federal, provincial government address infrastructure funding gaps
The City of Morden is supporting a resolution that the City of Winkler is presenting at the Association of Manitoba Municipality's (AMM) Central District meeting this month. The motion asks AMM members to rally the federal and provincial governments to adjust their contribution to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICP) and cover their portion of increased project costs.
Morden K-9 Unit finished first round of Drug Detection Training
With Morden's Patrol Service Dog (PSD) Chase retiring soon, a new dog and handler were needed to fill the vacant roles. Thanks to funding from the Province through Property Forfeiture Act, and a donation from the Morden Thrift Store, a new dog was purchased, and was matched with Constable Curtis Warkentin, the new K-9 Handler. PSD Ice is a sister from the same line as Chase, purchased from the Winnipeg Police Service.
Recently, Constable Warkentin and PSD Ice took an eight-week drug detection and obedience course.
Cancer Tattoo Fundraiser supports Morden Legion Branch 11 Saturday
A great show of community support for the Morden Legion Branch 11 took place on Saturday with a Cancer tattoo fundraiser put on by the Neonothing Studio in Morden supported by The Commandos Canada Motorcycle Club (Red River Division) and The Gatemen Riding Club.
The Commandos Canada Motorcycle Club is comprised of Canadian Veterans who have served their country and ride bikes, support veterans and their families. The Gatemen are a club that works alongside them with the same goals, but are not veterans.