Town & Country

BY PAT REDIGER These days, Crystal Wilson doesn't have many opportunities to have a cat nap. The Gillam resident is kept busy with numerous jobs and volunteer efforts in the community, large- ly because of her heavy involvement with animals. "I've loved animals my whole life, " Wilson says. "Animals are my life. I don't know why, but they mean the world to me." For over 12 years, Wilson picked up stray ani- mals, fostered them in her house and arranged for them to go to a new home. Noticing her en- thusiasm, the Town of Gilliam offered her a job as the town's dog control officer. She is tasked with enforcing the town bylaw, bringing stray dogs to the pound, ensuring they're fed and receive proper exercise, and that their paperwork is in order. Once Wilson became a dog control officer, she noticed more and more areas within the animal world where assistance was needed. She started selling dog collars, leashes and little knick-knacks out of her house. Eventually, people began asking her to bathe their dogs and she starting offering dog grooming out of her house. This arrangement, however, was not exactly convenient to everyone in her family. "My husband started getting upset because he could never come home and relax without people or dogs running around the house," Wilson says. "I began looking around for a building I could rent." On Sept. 30, Wilson opened up a business called Shooting Star Pet Centre. She notes that her inven- tory and services were largely determined by the needs of her customers. "I was finding that people wanted more and more things," she says. "They were asking me not only for dog collars and leashes, but also premium dog food, premium cat food and all the accessories that come with that. Recently, I've had people ask- ing me for critter supplies for bunnies, rats, mice and guinea pigs." Her shop can also host veterinarians who pro- vide spay and neuter clinics or checkups. From Nov. 16-20, a vet from Tuxedo Animal Hospital in Winnipeg ran a clinic at the facility. "That's why I called the business Shooting Star Pet Centre; we're shooting for the stars and try- ing to provide pretty much anything a pet owner could need." On top of running a business and ensuring dogs aren't running wild in town, Wilson is an animal protection officer for the Manitoba government, operating between Thompson and Gillam. Focus- ing on dogs, cats, exotic animals and rodents, she ensures that pet owners and business are abiding by the Animal Care Act of Manitoba. "A few weeks ago, I got a call dispatch from the RCMP detachment here. They said, 'Crystal, you've got to come to this trailer and examine this abandoned cat.' It had trashed the inside of the trailer," she says. "In that case I had to prove to the courts that the owner clearly abandoned their animal, by taking pictures and writing a report. I sent the animal via airplane for immediate vet care down south. Some- times I end up in court to prove what I saw that day and bring forth evidence, so it's a lot more in-depth when it goes through the provincial government versus municipal." By this point, you may be wondering how Wil- son manages to juggle running a business while holding two other positions. She says it's a balan- cing act that requires a strong support system. "For the most part, my jobs are pretty lenient," she says. "My job for the town, for example, is piece work. When the phone rings, I do have to leave the shop. I don't have any staff on call. There's one girl who volunteers at the store. On the certain days I need to leave, I can get someone like my girlfriend, sister or other family members to pop in and watch the till." 2 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY DECEMBER 2, 2017 N O R T H E R N M A N I T O B A womensresource.ca We all have the ability to achieve success We are here to help support our community. to help women and children when they need a hand. 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SUPPORTING ART IN THE NORTH AND NORTHERN ARTISTS FOR INFORMATION ON EVENTS PLEASE CALL CRYSTAL KOLT - CULTURAL COORDINATOR, (204) 687-5974 or info@flinflonartscouncil.com www.flinflonartscouncil.ca THE FLIN FLON ARTS COUNCIL T he Indigenous pop-rock group from Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) is currently shooting a music video focused on suicide pre- vention, with the message of promoting life. "Suicide is epidemic in First Nations commun- ities and we need to do something about it," says Kenneth Henderson, who wears many hats as Trio Boulevard's promoter/manager, guitarist, lead sing- er and songwriter. "Growing up, I saw violence; I saw alcohol abuse. Music saved my life in some ways." He says the people of OCN have given him a lot of support over the years, and for that he is thank- ful. Being grateful comes naturally for the group, whose drummer, Richard Cudmore from The Pas, was fighting life-threatening cancer just last year. "He says, 'Six months ago, I was going to die, but now I'm here playing music with you guys.' He's a fairly seasoned musician. I really look up to him," Henderson says. "We've all persevered through our own struggles. Perseverance is one of our values." The third member of the group is Harley White- head, who plays bass and sings. Although the trio only started making music together this January, they've already had a fair amount of success booking gigs, includ- ing a tour of B.C., Saskatchewan, and Mani- toba this summer. And they're getting radio play. "We were recently featured on an Indigenous music countdown," he says. "We're getting a lot of airplay around North America. We're being heard all over the world." At 27, Henderson is already a veteran of the music business. Raised by his grandmother, who bought him his first guitar, he's been a musician since he was 11 years old, and started touring with musicians when he was 18. "It's been a great ride. I've met a lot of interest- ing people. I love everything about playing music. I even love hauling the gear to a performance. I'm so thankful, it's almost spiritual," he says. "Our Indigenous people are very driven and very talented. We need to be given the opportunity to develop our creative talents." You can keep up with Trio Boulevard on In- stagram, Facebook and on their page at Manito- bamusic.com. And their debut single, Right Here With You, is available to download on iTunes, Spotify and Google Play. "A lot of our songs involve love, about people from all walks of life living in harmony. We pay tribute to artists like Buffy Sainte-Marie. We're up- tempo," says Henderson. "We're trying to build our presence on an inter- national stage. The world is a much better place if we all fulfill our destiny." Living in Harmony Trio Boulevard is making music with a message BY HOLLI MONCRIEFF The men of Trio Boulevard are hoping their music can help change the world Photo courtesy of Trio Boulevard Photo courtesy of Crystal Wilson Ruff Trade Business is going to the dogs (and cats) For over 12 years, Wilson picked up stray animals, fostered them in her house and arranged for them to go to a new home. "Growing up, I saw violence; I saw alcohol abuse. Music saved my life in some ways." 3062 Portage Ave. 204-832-7387 www.petrescueshelter.com Manitoba's first registered charity NO-KILL animal shelter

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