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Black Lives Matter Solidarity Rally In Dryden

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A decent turnout for a rally in Dryden which stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement.

The movement has multiple goals, their strongest being fighting against police brutality and state violence, especially through the lens of anti-black racism.

The Black Lives Matter Movement began in 2013, but more protests have sparked recently following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis after Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for over 8 minutes.

Chauvin has since been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Organizer Amanda Nisula says it is also important to hold the rallies in Canada to address the systemic racism that exists in Canada, especially against Indigenous populations.

Nisula points to historical issues such as Residential Schools and the 60’s Scoop which have had generational impacts and are tools in cultural genocide.

She also points to the fact that the Indian Act still exists today.

She says there are still many steps and barriers to reach reconciliation

Nisula goes on to say the turn out and support was extremely nice to see in the community and even a simple honk of support was appreciated.

For more information on the Black Lives Matter Movement, click the link HERE

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Black Lives Matter Rally In Dryden

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A Black Lives Matter rally is being held in Dryden Saturday afternoon.

The “We Stand In Solidarity’ gathering is being held on the sidewalk in front of the government building on Highway 17.

The event is from 3:00pm until 3:30pm and is open to anyone and people are being encouraged to bring signs.

Organizers ask that you be respectful of property and pedestrians, wear a mask and practice physical distancing.

The rally is meant to support the Black Lives Matter movement across the globe and condemn racism and discrimination in Canada.

Similar events have been held in Sioux Lookout, Kenora and Thunder Bay.

Dryden Mayor Greg Wilson says he supports a peaceful gathering and issued the following statement:

I’m pleased to see the Dryden Area Anti Racism Network promoting a peaceful rally this Saturday supporting the statement that black lives do matter. It’s one of many positive ways people in the community can express support for those who have experienced racism and also to make a statement that we are welcoming and supportive of all people regardless of ethnic or racial background.

Dryden is blessed to have an organization whose primary focus is to bring people together to learn about each other in a safe and respectful environment.

Mayor Wilson

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Government Urged To Help Save Tourist Camps

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“Tourism Matters” was the focus of a peaceful and well organized rally at Fort Vermilion on the weekend.

Some 200 people gathered in an effort to grab government attention to the troubles facing the industry because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Robin Gagne is the Owner/Operator of Crystal Lake Campground, just west of Vermilion Bay.

Gagne says travel restrictions and trips across provincial borders not recommended impact their ability to operate.

He says he will be hurting next year if he can’t bring in any money this summer.

“If there’s loans and grants for tourism, it should also include campgrounds, because we also have to survive.”

Steve Smith is the Owner/Operator of Sunset Country Adventures in Vermilion Bay.

“We’re not going to push for the border to open. It’s not safe to open right now. And that’s the majority of the consensus across the board. But if it isn’t opening, we need some kind of help, we need to survive, so that we are here next year. Otherwise where are the tourists going to come and go next year if our doors are closed.”

Smith believes hunting and fishing camps have been forgotten in government bailout packages.

He adds “The American dollar that comes across the border is how we all survive. And that’s how a lot of these small businesses survive through the winter with just the local economy. They get a big cash injection in the summer from the tourists and right now obviously there are no tourists.”

Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford admits American tourism is all but going to dry up this summer, but he’s glad the federal government continues to close our border.

Meantime, northwestern Ontario residents travelling to Manitoba will soon no longer need to self-isolate beginning next week.

Manitoba is preparing to lift a two-week isolation period this Sunday.

This is as long as you don’t have any symptoms of COVID-19 and haven’t been exposed to anyone who has.

It’s also being removed for residents in certain parts of western Canada.

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Big Turnout For Tourism Matters Rally In Vermilion Bay

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Lots of regional tourism business owners and supporters are rallying in Vermilion Bay today.

It’s estimated over 200 people have come out to the Tourism Matters Rally today to help see more support from the government for the tourism industry.

 

Owner and Operator of Sunset Country Adventures and Organizer Steve Smith says they want both levels of government to hear that they need support.

Smith says there have been bailouts for other businesses and it seems their industry has been forgotten.

He also says the only supports they currently have available is a $40,000 loan with interest which would be hard to pay with no income from the camps and support for employee wages, but if they are not open then they don’t need to worry about wages.

Smith says they hope they would see some sort of stimulus just to help with their fixed cost for hydro, mortgage, insurance and more.

He also says he doesn’t expect the US border to be open anytime soon for good reason, so that’s why they are looking to the Provincial and Federal Governments for more assistance.

Smith also says Tourism is a very important industry for our region and plays an important role for other businesses in the region as well.

Crystal Lake Campground Owner Robin Gagne says most of his customer base isn’t even from the United States, but they are also seeing losses as well.

He says many of his customers are European who are obviously not visiting at the moment, but most of his customers are Canadians.

Gagne says there hasn’t been as much travel between provinces which plays a huge role in the number of customers they have.

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Regional Mayors Not Attending Tourism Matters Rally

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The Kenora District Municipal Association says regional mayors will not be attending the Tourism Matters Rally that is taking place on Saturday.

In a release the KDMA says they support the plight of the tourism industry because their success is directly linked to the success and prosperity of the region.

However our region has just entered Stage 2 of the reopening of the province which expands public gatherings to up to 10 people.

With this information, KDMA Mayors are following Municipal Emergency Management Groups recommendations and avoiding large public gatherings.

Organizers of the rally have made plans to ensure that participants follow physical distancing guidelines.

The full release can be found below.

Media Release – Toursim Mat… by Rayson Martyn on Scribd