Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/68073
PAGE 10 • JUNE 2012 Grant's Old Mill located on Sturgeon Creek at Portage Ave. MAY 19 - SEPTEMBER 3 10AM - 6PM CUTHBERT GRANT DAY SATURDAY, JULY 14TH 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Food - Fun - Live Music MEET SIR JAMES Chief of Clan Grant CALL 986-5613 for more information Admission by donation. 30 fulfilling years at North West Company BY TYLER ESQUIVEL is." That statement "Home is where the heart is noth- ing but an old cliché, but for Leonard Bland, meat man- ager at Northern God's Lake Narrows Northern, that cliché is a reflection of the 30 years he has dedicated to his ca- reer at the Northern store. "I think this place (North- Winnipeg Adult Education Centre SINCE 19 68 • Grade 12 Mature Student Diploma-High School Credits • Upgrade for College or University • Prep. courses leading to Grade 12 credit courses • Adult Literacy and English as an Additional Language 947-1674 www.wsd1.org/waec FeeltheRush! Live Racing returns May 6! ern store) is my second home, I have spent mostly all my life in here, since I was 22," says Bland with a chuckle. So who is Leonard Bland? The soft spoken and mild- mannered 56-year-old was raised on the God's Lake Nar- rows reserve. He began his career at Northern when he was 22 working off and on while going to school, which included venturing away from the secluded reserve and diving into the concrete jungles of Winnipeg, where he attended Red River College. Upon his return to God's Lake Narrows he soon realized that with his wife Dora, 53, ex- pecting the first of their four children, he need- ed to have a stable job to support his family. The early years with Northern for Bland were not spent in the back slicing, grinding and wrapping meat. In 1982, when Bland was hired he was a stock boy making three dollars an hour. Bland says he never would have thought this job would stretch to 30 years. "It doesn't seem like 30 years when you en- joy work. It feels like I started yesterday," he recalls. Bland then moved on to working as a gas attendant which proved to be a tough job dur- ing northern Manitoba's frosty winters. "Especially in the winter time they (Bland and his partner) would take turns because it was so cold and their hands could hardly move," Dora recalls. "We used to pump the gas by hand from * * * * * Live Racing - May to September (Check ASDowns.com for live schedule) Casino-like VLT Gaming Lounge Fabulous Dining Free Admission & Parking Open Year Round ASD * Facility Rentals for: - Fundraising Events - Socials - Weddings - Corporate Events - Trade Shows & Exhibitions ASDowns.com –(204) 885-3330 3975 Portage Avenue Assiniboia Downs ASD two gallon drums," Bland says as he laughs and flexes his muscles. "I used to pump for the RCMP from four or five gallon drums, we didn't have a machine or anything, but you don't no- tice that when you're young." In the early days the store wasn't always powered by electricity, so gas was the only way to stay warm. "We used to pump the store by hand too, I don't know how long it took, it was at least four or five hours," says Bland. Becoming the local butcher was something Bland became interested in after learning the tricks of the trade from a man who would come to teach the staff how to cut meat – that is when he found his real passion. wouldn't want to do any- thing says Bland adding that he takes pride in helping his customers as well. "When I talk to cus- tomers I make them feel welcome. I don't ignore if someone tries to come and talk to me." Bland says he learned that valuable trait over the years. "I just picked it up and that is the best way to work – just talk to your customers." Bland says his experi- ence with management is one of the reasons he has stuck with his job for 30 years, adding that the management at The North West Company (NWC) has been great and it has made the world of difference. "I think of it (the store and staff) as a family, that's how it is working for NWC. I don't know about everyone else, but that is how I feel," says Bland. Working at Northern has become a family affair for Bland. Aside from his wife, he works alongside his two nephews, Earlen Bland and Bernard Wood who have invested 20 plus years of their lives into Northern. Wood is the grocery manager and his un- cle's boss, but Bland has no problems with that. "When we work Bernard doesn't treat me as his uncle, he just treats me as his regular staff, he doesn't treat me as a favourite," says Bland. Wood agrees. "We have a good relationship, he knows it's not uncle or nephew when we're in the store even though we're related," says Wood. "Many times we'd be socializing outside of work and he'd tell me, at work you're my boss, you're not my nephew. He knows the chain of command more or less, there is not many times I have to be strict. He knows that I'm just doing my job too." Earlen, a grocery supervisor at the store, also enjoys having his uncle around. "He taught me the facts of life," he says with a grin. "He is easy to talk to and he is always there for advice. I don't think he has a mean bone in his body." At 56, retirement is in the back of Bland's mind, but he's in no hurry to hang up the meat cleaver. When asked if he would walk away from it all if he Dora were to win the lottery, Bland firmly shakes his head no. "I like cutting meat, I else,"