Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/388294
PAGE 4 • OCTOBER 2014 This past August I was invited to take part in the Solidarity Mission to Israel organized by the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. This particular mission was of great importance as many of us who participated, come from diverse walks of life including the business community, students, Bridges for Peace and representatives from a number of organizations who are affiliated with Israel. We came together to show Israelis that we stand with them and support Israel, the only liberal democracy in the Middle East, in their time of need. As many of you will know, Israel has been under attack by Hamas, the armed Islamic movement of the Palestinian Authority who in effect has been recognized as a terrorist organization. The most devastating part is that Hamas uses civilians, and primarily children, as human shields to inflict war upon Israel. Israel's defense action, known as Operation Protective Edge, has worked to protect Israel and Israelis from bombardment by Hamas. I, like many others, believe that Israel has every right to respond to this bombardment in retaliation, in order to defend itself and its people. However, I recognize, as do the Israelis, that many innocent peoples' lives have been taken on both sides; too many children have become victims of this war. Having been to the region multiple times, I can attest to the fact that Israel has been greatly affected by this war and have become immune to what is happening around them in their daily activities. Israelis are having to constantly rely on radio messaging to be informed of when it is safe to walk the streets or when to seek protection and remain on alert to seek shelter when the red siren is sounded, children spend their summer vacation in bomb shelters instead of playing with their friends outside, young people were delayed in their post-secondary studies as the Universities remained closed, many Soldiers lost their lives because they could not find it in themselves to fire shots to a child who was made victim by Hamas. Israel's economy has also been greatly affected by the tourism, as people are uncertain as to how safe it is to travel to Israel during this time. What I can say from my experience is that Israelis are organized, informed and have implemented safety plans. The reason I participated in this mission is because I wanted to lend our support to a country whose people have inspired us, to the people themselves who have every right to live in peace and security and to thank the Jewish community for being there for us, Norway House Cree Nation. As a First Nation citizen, as a leader in my community and as a Canadian Citizen, I stand alongside the decision of our Federal government to support the solidarity of Israel. It is the right thing to do. I continue to hope for a peaceful, negotiated solution in which both Israelis and Palestinians can build a future for their children. All of our children deserve to live in peace and security. MooseHuntingConservation ClosureinWest-centralManitoba TheManitobagovernmentisimplementingaconservationclosureofall moosehuntinginGameHuntingArea(GHA)12,northofthePorcupine MountainintheRedDeerLakearea.Thisisinadditiontotheclosure ofallmoosehuntinginandaroundtheDuckMountain,Porcupine MountainandtheSwan-Pelicanareasofwest-centralManitoba.These closuresarenecessarytoallowdecliningmoosepopulationstorecover, andincludeshuntingbytreatyandAboriginalrightsholders. Theconservationclosuretoallmoosehuntinginwest-centralManitoba nowincludesthefollowingGHAs: 12(northofthePorcupineMountainintheRedDeerLakearea) 18,18A,18B,18C(DuckMountainarea) 14,14A(Swan-Pelicanarea) 13,13A(PorcupineMountainarea) MoosehuntingisalsoclosedtolicensedhuntersinGHA19A,eastof DuckMountain. TheprovincewillcontinuetoworkwithFirstNations,Metisand stakeholderstoaddressallfactorscontributingtomoosepopulation declines. Formoreinformation,contact:ManitobaConservationandWater StewardshipSwanRiverDistrictOffice204-734-3429,orvisit www.manitoba.ca/conservation/wildlife PUBLIC NOTICE Chief Ron Evans Norway House Cree Nation solidarity Mission to israel CANADIANMENNONITEUNIVERSITY cmu.ca DiscoverCMU ��������������������������� ������������������ Faith-filledCommunity ����������������������� ��������������� ������������������ �������������� �������������������������� �� ����������� ������ ������������ ���������� ��������� ����� ����������������� GOODCREDITBADCREDIT NOCREDIT WECANHELP! DON'TLETCREDITGETINTHEWAY OFYOURNEWTRUCKORSUV TOLLFREE 1-866-999-2499 CanadianAboriginalAutoSales ITGET ET ETINTH YOU OU OU OURNE NE NE NEWTR TR TR TRUC UC UC UCKOR OR OR ORSUV UV UV CanadianAb AlsoUsedTires AlsoUsedTires JackEshelman Ph:(204)334-0979•Fax:(204)334-1813 Email:jackesh7@gmail.com Message from chief ron evans, Norway House Cree Nation