First Nations that occupy what is now southern Manitoba entered into a treaty with the Crown in 1871 that promised each member a $3 annuity while allowing settlers access to more than 40,000 square kilometres of land.

The annuity was increased four years later to $5, where it has remained for more than 150 years.

Lawyers for Treaty 1 territory First Nations are in a Winnipeg court seeking billions of dollars in compensation for annuity payments they argue have lost all value,

The original treaty was negotiated by the Crown when it wanted to open up Manitoba to settlement, but “did not have the military resources to take the territory by force,” Michael Rosenberg, lawyer for representative plaintiff Zongidaya Nelson of Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, told King’s Bench Justice Shane Perlmutter in his opening address Monday.

A search warrant granted on information that a residence was home to unauthorized firearms in Roseau River First Nation, saw officers from the Manitoba First Nations Police Service, the crime reduction enforcement unit and the RCMP emergency response team come up empty, but only in regard to their original purpose.

Instead of guns, police found drug paraphernalia in plain view.

A second search warrant was authorized, and investigators turned up 32 grams of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $3,000. Police also seized scales, mobile devices and packaging materials.

Three people were charged as a result.

Growing up without a television, computer, or cell phone may seem unusual today, but for me, it was the norm. Instead, my companions were books. Among my favourites was One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, a powerful novel written in the Soviet Union that, remarkably, still resonates today. It was this book that sparked my lifelong love of reading, a passion that continues even amidst the busy schedule of serving the people of Springfield-Ritchot.

In a world dominated by screens and digital distractions, it’s more important than ever to appreciate life’s simpler pleasures. Books, which have stood the test of time, offer a uniquely enriching experience. I’m always delighted to see students across Manitoba take part in I Love to Read Month, a celebration that reminds us all of the transformative power of reading.

Reading offers countless benefits, but three stand out to me. First, it builds a strong knowledge base. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to highlight. The information we absorb from books helps children grow into thoughtful, capable adults. Books are more than stories, they’re lessons waiting to be discovered.

Second, reading enhances our understanding of the world around us. It sharpens our comprehension and allows us to make sense of what we see, hear, and feel. Books broaden our horizons, nurture empathy, and allow us to experience perspectives far beyond our own.

After Canada’s first game at the Olympics was finished, an image dominated social media. Team Canada’s fourth goal against Czechia was scored by Nathan MacKinnon and assisted by Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.

That boxscore entry was a stark reminder that we’ve been without true best-on-best hockey for too long, and Canada’s early brilliance has been impressive to watch. (Thankfully this column didn’t need updating after an overtime win against Czechia in the quarterfinals early on Feb. 18)

Most hockey fans point to the NHL as the reason for the lack of a best-on-best tournament, and no doubt, they share part of the blame for that, but they are not the main entity I blame.

The International Ice Hockey Federation has to be the main culprit. Imagine if FIFA, the governing body for soccer, organized the World Cup during the final weeks of play in the Premier League?