In this special Kindness Week episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with Peggy Walsh Craig and Cindy Lalande from Trees for Nipissing, a grassroots group that’s transforming the urban landscape — one tree at a time.
A North Bay hotel worker was recognized Thursday, June 12 for her extraordinary act of bravery after saving the life of a guest in medical distress earlier this spring.
Sheri St. Martin, a front desk employee at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, received the Mary Davis Heart of Kindness Award in an emotional ceremony held at the hotel.
The award is part of Kindness Week activities organized by The Kindness Project. St. Martin, who was visibly moved throughout the ceremony, played a crucial role in saving a woman’s life in late April.
After the guest fell seriously ill, St. Martin acted quickly, offering help, calling 911, and performing CPR until paramedics arrived.
“I was trained in CPR... I just did it,” she said, her voice shaking. “The woman tells me how much she appreciates me.”
The Heart of Kindness Award is named after Mary Davis, CEO of CMHA North Bay and District, the driving force behind The Kindness Project and its mission to inspire everyday acts of kindness.
Coun. Tanya Vrebosch was happy not to see $80,000 piece of artwork she heard the city was paying for in recognition of North Bay’s 100th anniversary.
Council got a glimpse of the Centennial Celebration’s $1 million budget during Tuesday’s council meeting. An itemized list detailing events and community organizations, as well, as how much was spent to date is what a few city councillors were waiting for.
Vrebosch asked for the report to be sent back to general government committee for further discussion.
“I still feel there was some miscommunication on some of the spending. It could be rumours out in the community, but it’s not a bad time for everyone to have their questions answered,” Vrebosch said.
When asked to clarify, she said, “I heard there was an $80,000 piece of artwork that was the talk on the street. I wanted to double check to make sure. If it’s not on there, then that’s great.”
Vrebosch confirmed she didn’t see the item on the list.
The list does include 34 community groups each receiving funding between $20,000 to $2,500.
A regional chief for Anishinabek Nation says he briefed Ontario Provincial Police Thursday on what to expect when First Nations take to the streets to protest provincial and federal legislation aimed at fast-tracking major projects.
Scott McLeod said he was invited by an Indigenous relations coordinator to brief officers at the OPP’s Orillia headquarters on why First Nations oppose the legislation and why they see the bills as a violation of treaties with the Crown.
“These territories are not just waiting idly for you to come and dig up the resources there. These territories are educational institutes. They are grocery stores. They are pharmacies for our medicines,” McLeod said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
Federal and provincial governments have introduced legislation intended to speed up development in response to an increasingly uncertain trade relationship with the U.S. under President Donald Trump.
A prominent sculpture on display in the city for three decades is being repatriated.
The Nibiising 26-foot white pine sculpture once stood at the corner of Seymour Street and the Highway 11/17 bypass.
It was put in storage in 2018, with officials saying cracks and fissures emerged over time, leaving it unsuitable for relocation. They say it’s returning to the land this week, in a similar way totem poles are retired.
Thursday’s repatriation at the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) in Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park will include an Indigenous pipe ceremony with drumming and songs.
“Nibiising will be respectfully returned to the land or Mother Earth,” says Bill Steer, General Manager and founder. “After consultation it was determined the park and CEC site, located on sacred ground that has been the site of many sweat lodges, would be an ideal location.”
First erected in 1988, the sculpture was created by Florida artist Peter “Wolf” Toth and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nipissing, in consultation with Nipissing First Nation.
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