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COLUMN: Viewpoint – Hanover School Division is national news
4 minute read 11:22 AM CDTI was surprised to open Saturday’s Globe and Mail and find an article about my hometown of Steinbach prominently featured. The story talked about Manitoba’s government ordering the Hanover School Division board to rescind an illegal motion they’d passed that would, as the Globe and Mail put it, “prevent students from getting counselling and medical services, including contraceptive prescriptions without their parents’ knowledge.” Globe and Mail interviews with organizations who support Manitoba’s LGBTQ youth said the motion could have a negative impact on young people looking for help in understanding their sexual orientation or gender identity. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt told the school trustees they had directly violated their constitutional and legal responsibilities by passing the motion.
In a letter to the minister, board chair Dallas Wiebe, said the motion was made in response to parental concerns. Interestingly, he gave no statistics to prove how many parents had expressed concerns. The Globe and Mail reported, however, that a parent made a presentation to the board about her opposition to the motion that included a petition signed by 1,000 Hanover residents. They were worried students wouldn’t receive appropriate care if professionals were no longer able to make judgement calls whether to notify parents about a teenager’s confidential disclosures. Had the board received a thousand expressions of concern from those who felt parents should be privy to all their child’s health information?
What bothered me about The Globe and Mail article was the way they described the Hanover School Division as a “Bible Belt” area of the province primarily populated by Mennonite farmers. This gives a very inaccurate description to the rest of the country. Firstly, while Hanover’s economy is known for agribusiness it has other diverse and thriving industries. Secondly, it implies farmers are closeminded and supported the school board’s major/minor motion. Knowing quite a number of farmers in Hanover, I’m sure their opinions on the value of the motion varied widely. Thirdly, it suggests Hanover residents are predominantly Mennonites. But a substantial number are Catholics, Lutherans, Muslims, Mormons, Pentecostals, and Baptists. A group of humanists and agnostics meet regularly in Steinbach. According to a recent census, 20 percent of residents have no religious affiliation. I found it interesting The Globe and Mail interviewed Ken Klassen, a former Hanover superintendent who called the motion the board passed “horrific”. Mr. Klassen and I were members of the same Mennonite church in Steinbach for many years. He’s a good example of the fact that not all Mennonites in the community hold the same views as the school trustees. To broadly characterize Hanover as a place filled with farmers who are of one religious bent is at best misleading.
The Globe and Mail reported Hanover school trustees had also recently passed motions to limit political activism in schools and to monitor “inappropriate” books and resources. That gives the audience of a national newspaper a picture of Steinbach and the surrounding area as being close-minded about positive change, and leery of the professional expertise of teachers and librarians. Having lived and worked in Hanover for most of my life I know so many residents who don’t fit that stereotype. A way to change that erroneous image would be to vote for trustees in the coming municipal elections with forward-thinking, legal ideas about education that are not primarily determined by their personal or religious ideology.
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DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: Way too early MJHL season predictions
2 minute read Preview 9:00 AM CDTLocal
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Serving the public
3 minute read 8:17 AM CDTRecently our local radio station published a list of questions for school board candidates in the upcoming election. The questions were prepared and sent to candidates by Brad Unger - an outgoing but still sitting school trustee and now a candidate for city council.
They were answered by Jeff Friesen, a sitting school trustee, currently vice-chair of the HSD board and a candidate for election to continue as a school trustee.
The list of questions from Brad and Jeff’s answers online seem narrowly focused on non-educational issues which they seem to want to make central to the campaign. And the questions are designed as a way of determining whether the candidate fits their ideological and religious profile - not an honest attempt at open and respectful discussion.
In fact, if you follow the link to his Facebook page entitled Niverville Open Discussion Group you will find Jeff baiting the candidates online that don’t immediately respond, with the question, “Are you scared?”
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COLUMN: Tales from the Gravel Ridge – The laughter of August from a fresh perspective
4 minute read Preview Yesterday at 5:18 PM CDTLocal
COLUMN: Think Again – Stronger self-defence protections are needed
4 minute read Yesterday at 2:02 PM CDTA 66-year-old man in the RM of Dufferin was recently charged with careless use of a firearm, using a firearm in the commission of an offence, and discharging a firearm in a reckless manner.
These sound like serious charges. Obviously, we don’t want people recklessly firing guns. But the circumstances behind these charges give us some important context and should change how we look at this case.
In fact, this man was responding to four individuals who unlawfully entered his property and stole some of his possessions. Rather than just passively let the thefts happen, the homeowner confronted the intruders and fired his rifle in the direction of the two stolen vehicles they were driving.
Police managed to apprehend three of the four alleged thieves and charged them with a variety of offences. Incredibly, the 66-year-old homeowner was charged as well, even though he obviously was just trying to defend himself and his property.
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Stuartburn holds information session on Sundown Ridge, Caliento Bog projects
9 minute read Preview Yesterday at 11:42 AM CDTLocal
Opera and a Pint comes to The Public Brewhouse for a sip of highbrow fun
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PHOTO GALLERY: Light up the night, light up someone’s life
0 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 28, 2026Local
Teen girl assaulted by man in De Salaberry
1 minute read Friday, Aug. 28, 2026A teenage girl was assaulted outside her home in the RM of De Salaberry on Aug. 13 by a man she didn’t know.
RCMP are investigating the assault that took place on Gauthier Road at 10:18 p.m. The girl was not physically injured, according to police, who did extensive patrols of the area to find the man.
The man is described as wearing jeans and a light coloured hoodie with the hood up covering his head.
RCMP have very little information at this time and are asking for the public’s help in capturing the suspect. Police are asking anyone in the area who has information or video of any suspicious activity to contact the St Pierre-Jolys detachment at 204-433-7908.
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MJHL prospects hit the ice in Niverville and Steinbach
3 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 28, 2026Local
COLUMN: Grey Matters – Wilderness and restoration
4 minute read Friday, Aug. 28, 2026“Do not work so hard for Christ that you have no strength to pray, for prayer requires strength.” — J. Hudson Taylor
Last week we looked at 1 Kings 19 where Elijah fled for his life into the wilderness and God met him there. 1 Kings 19:5a-9a: “He (Elijah) finally sat down under a solitary broom bush. He longed for his own death… suddenly a messenger tapped him and said to him, “Get up! Eat something!” Elijah opened his eyes and saw flatbread baked on glowing coals and a jar of water right by his head… Elijah got up, ate and drank, and went refreshed by that food for forty days and nights until he arrived at Horeb, God’s mountain. There he went into a cave and spent the night. The Lord’s word came to him…”
Another detail that is fascinating in this story is how God first cared for Elijah’s physical well-being before speaking to him. God knows that we are frail and that physical weakness can cause spiritual weakness. God first ensured Elijah had shelter, sustenance, sleep, and strength before he told him what was next for his life. I often tell my patients in the hospital to not form any quick judgements or make important decisions until their health becomes more stable.
Jane Marie Thibault in her book, A Deepening Love Affair – The Gift of God in Later Life talks about how it is important to set up our times with God. If you are ‘hangry’ be sure to eat something before you commune with God! Thibault provides the following list which is similar to how you would prepare for a friend:
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COLUMN: Village News – Thank you to our summer staff
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RM of Stuartburn site of drug arrest in 19-month weapons, drug trafficking investigation
3 minute read Preview Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026Local
Steinbach’s Band of Colours and Heartberry Café host makeup and wig workshop
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026Local
COLUMN: Beyond the Shelter – Back to school: Safety starts young
3 minute read Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026As students head back to school, families are preparing for new routines, classrooms, and learning opportunities. Alongside academics like math, science, and reading, schools also play an important role in helping young people develop the skills they need to build safe, healthy relationships.
Teaching children and youth about respect, boundaries, and consent from an early age lays the foundation for healthy relationships throughout life. These conversations do not need to wait until adolescence. Consent education can begin early with simple concepts such as personal space, asking permission, and learning to respect when someone says, “No.”
As children grow, these conversations can evolve to include topics such as healthy friendships, digital safety, peer pressure, online interactions, dating relationships, and recognizing unhealthy or abusive behaviours. When young people understand what respect and consent look like, they are better equipped to set boundaries, communicate clearly, and seek help when something does not feel right.
School-based education programs are a key part of reinforcing these messages. Through classroom presentations, workshops, and discussions, students can learn about healthy relationships, conflict resolution, online safety, bullying prevention, and gender-based violence. These programs give youth practical tools they can use in everyday life while also helping to build a culture of respect within schools.
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