The Re-Elect Ross Eadie 2022 Mynarski Ward campaign is happening here in Treaty One Territory, the home and traditional land of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininew (Cree), and Dakota peoples, and in the National Homeland of the Red River Metis. Our drinking water comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, in Treaty Three Territory.

In Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg, First Nations, Metis and Indigenous peoples living in the urban environment are finally achieving the capacity to heal, prosper and enjoy life through land entitlement, Indigenous led organizations and the beginnings of sincere reconciliation. It took many generations to arrive where we are today, and it will still take generations to balance out Indigenous peoples’ opportunities. WE must focus on the positive efforts of individuals and organizations.

Always working for a better future for Indigenous people at the City level has involved supporting City Council and City Administration efforts, writing many letters of support for Indigenous organizations, involvement with activities out on the street, and directing funding and securing land for projects designed to reconcile traumas that were put upon Canada’s Indigenous peoples. Below are projects and efforts I have moved forward during the 2018 to 2022 term of office:

Having assisted with riverbank stabilization and vacant building fee problems at the Rapid Housing Initiative project on Alfred Ave., Shawenim Abinoojii Inc., I was invited to tour the wonderful Nenookaasiins (“Little Hummingbird”) affordable housing initiative for youth aging out of the Child & Family Services system (CFS). The initiative addresses an urgent need for affordable housing in the City and support for Indigenous young people.

“Checking it out first hand, the South East First Nations youth will definitely appreciate the 18 apartments along with the vibrant resource area including programming rooms, a round room, a resource area, a teaching kitchen, and more. To my pride, I was able to state: My lifelong friend Marcus Houston has painted a beautiful mural on a wall in this facility.”

With my moving the motion, City Council decided to sell land for one dollar to the Manitoba Indigenous Culture and Education Centre (MICEC) for its expansion of their library and Indigenous cultural and educational efforts.

With my moving the motion, City Council decided to exclusively sell two pieces of land across the street from the MICEC for outdoor cultural activities for young and old.

With my moving the motion, City Council decided to sell two properties for one dollar to the Indigenous Education Caring Society Partnership to build two Indigenous oriented school facilities with an additional grant from Mynarski Ward funds to outfit the inside for the educational activities.

With the land sold for one dollar on Selkirk Avenue in 2014, the Women Healing for Change’s ‘Little Stars Playhouse’ was built and began running in 2021 mostly for children involved with CFS. Mynarski Ward funds went into many facets inside and outside the property aside from the City land.

“In 2022, it has been my pleasure to hear the kids play and learn inside and outside of the building, culminating in a celebration without COVID in early September, 2022.”

Along with several councillors’ ward funds, I provided Mynarski Ward funds towards Ka Ni Kanichihk’s new facility on McDermot Ave., which provides service city wide, including for North Enders, with the following features: a large, dedicated ceremony space; a wellness clinic, with Indigenous and western resources; a community kitchen, a drop-in resource hub; an expanded child-care centre; and a landscaped outdoor gathering space for community.

Provided Mynarski Ward funds to Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. for its new program delivery facility on Burrows Ave.

Provided Mynarski Ward funds to Oyate Tipi Cumini Yape Inc.’s new bed bug removal facility for Indigenous housing furniture.

Provided Mynarski Ward funds to Winnipeg Metis Association Inc.’s project to restore the ceiling, dance floor and other damaged areas caused by a breech in the facility’s roof on McGregor St..

Provided many Mynarski Ward Allowance and “per capita grant” dollars to numerous Indigenous initiatives such as the annual No Stone Unturned event, now held in St. John’s Park, held raise dollars for the families of missing and murdered women.