The 46th Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering is taking place virtually from Friday, February 11th until Sunday, February 13th, with the theme of this year’s gathering “Reconciliation through Restor(y)ing Our Truth.”

Hosted by the First Peoples House of Learning and the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at Trent University in Nogojiwanong-Peterborough, the Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering offers an opportunity for attendees to share in Indigenous knowledge through workshops, presentations, and performances.

“The Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering is an important annual event that connects students, community members. and Elders,” says Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, director of First Peoples House of Learning, in a media release. “This year’s theme focuses on Reconciliation through Restor(y)ing Our Truth, which seeks to honour the voices, histories, and narratives of all our nations through sharing stories and teachings from Elders and knowledge holders.”

This year’s gathering features a keynote address by RoseAnne Archibald of Taykwa Tagamou Nation, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations — the first-ever woman to hold the post — as well as keynote presentations by Dr. Niigan Sinclair (St. Peter’s Indian Settlement), Sylvia Maracle (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory), and Rick Hill (Six Nations of the Grand River).

Elders joining the virtual gathering include Doug Williams (Curve Lake First Nation), Shirley Williams (Wikwemikong First Nation), Diane Longboat (Six Nations of the Grand River), Edna Manitowabi (Wikwemikong First Nation), Donna Augustine (Elsipogtog First Nation and Aroostock, Maine), Laureen Blu Waters (Metis Nation), Greg Loft (Tyendinaga Territory), Grandmother Renee Thomas-Hill (Haudenosaunee), Reepa Evic-Carleton (Pangnirtung Nunavut), Angaangaq (Uncle) (Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland), and Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell (Wikwemikong First Nation).

Panels on Friday afternoon include a Two-Spirit Panel (with Teddy Syrette, Gabe Calderon, Chief Mark Hill, and Elder Laureen Blu Waters) and a Women in Leadership Panel (with Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Jeanette Corbiere-Lavell, Tabatha Bull, and Pam Palmater), two Words of Wisdom Elders Panels (with Donna Augustine, Laureen Blu Waters, Grandmother Renee Thomas-Hill, and Reepa Evic-Carleton on Friday afternoon and Diane Longboat, Edna Manitowabi, Shirley Williams, and Greg Loft on Saturday afternoon), and an all-new Youth Panel on Saturday afternoon (with Notorious Cree, Shina Novalinga, Kendra Jessie, Autumn Cooper, and Zhaawnong Webb).

Workshops include “Inuit Throat Singing & Cultural Reclamation Urban Settings” with Abigail Carleton and Aneeka Anderson and “Métis Finger Weaving” with Morgan Turcotte on Saturday morning, and “Language & Drumming” with Liz Osawamick and “One Woman’s Journey: The Reclaiming of Self, Voice and Community” with Cora McGuire-Cyrette on Saturday afternoon.

Indigenous Insights, which takes place virtually from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday before the gathering officially begins at 12 p.m., features “Aging with Grace” with keynote speaker Cliff Whetung (Curve Lake First Nation) of New York University’s Silver School of Social Work speaking on the topic “Alzheimer’s and Dementias: Urban and on the Rez”, followed by a panel discussion with Professor Emeritus Shirley Williams, Dr. Dan Longboat, and M.A. candidate Janette Corston discussing their experiences combined with Whetung’s research. The event is presented in collaboration with the Trent Centre for Aging & Society and sponsored by the Provost’s Lecture Series for Reconciliation.

Sponsored by Bell Let’s Talk and the Province of Ontario, admission to the 46th Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering is free and all are welcome. However, advanced registration is required.

Here is a summary of the agenda for the three-day gathering:

Indigenous Insights: Aging with Grace (Friday, February 11, 9 – 11:30 a.m.)

• Keynote Address: Cliff Whetung, New York University’s Silver School of Social Work
• Discussion Panel: Dan Longboat, Shirley Williams, Janette Corston, and Cliff Whetung

Day One (Friday, February 11, 12 – 5 p.m.)

• Elders Opening Prayer: Elder Doug Williams and Elder Shirley Williams
• Chief Welcome Addresses: Hiawatha, Curve Lake, and Alderville First Nations
• Open Comments: Metis Nation Ontario, Trent University, City of Peterborough, County of Peterborough, House of Commons and the Provincial Parliament of Ontario
• Keynote Address: National Chief RoseAnne Archibald
• Keynote Presentation: Dr. Niigaan Sinclair
• Simultaneous Panels: Two Spirit Panel and Women in Leadership Panel
• Words of Wisdom: Elders Panel

Day Two (Saturday, February 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

• Keynote Address: Sylvia Maracle
• Simultaneous Workshops: “Metis Finger Weaving” and “Inuit Throat Singing & Cultural Reclamation Urban Settings” (morning) and “Language & Drumming” and “One Woman’s Journey: Reclaiming Self, Voice & Community” (afternoon)
• Youth Panel: Notorious Cree, Shina Novalinga, Kendra Jessie, Zhaawnong Webb and Autumn Cooper
• Words of Wisdom: Elders Panel

Day Three (Sunday, February 13, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

• Keynote Address: Rick Hill
• Closing Words, Gratitude and Prayers: Elders, Chanie Wenjack School of Indigenous Studies, and First Peoples House of Learning

For the full schedule of speakers, workshops, and presentations at the 46th Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering and to register, visit somethingcreativegd.wixsite.com/trentgathering2022.

After almost four years as Peterborough’s police chief, Scott Gilbert is retiring effective February 7.

Peterborough’s Police Services Board made the announcement on Friday (February 4).

“On behalf of the board, we acknowledge Scott’s accomplishments during his tenure ensuring that community safety was always priority number one,” states board chair Les Kariunas in a media release.

“Scott has led the service through significant changes over the past three and a half years,” Kariunas adds. “His work in advancing police accountability, adoption of new technologies and creating efficiencies in police community responses have resulted in a well-respected police service by citizens throughout the City of Peterborough, Lakefield and Cavan-Monaghan. The Board wishes him all the best in retirement.”

Deputy chief Tim Farquharson has been appointed as acting chief effective February 7.

Gilbert became the ninth chief of the Peterborough Police Service in July 2018, replacing Murray Rodd who retired after 35 years with the service, including 10 years as chief. Before coming to Peterborough Gilbert was a long-time member of Toronto Police Service.

Construction on the Scotts Mills Dam in Peterborough will not be completed this spring — despite Parks Canada adding an extra work shift for contractors last summer to keep the project on schedule.

In a media release on Friday afternoon (February 4), Parks Canada advises high water levels on the Trent-Severn Waterway last summer and fall led to multiple work stoppages for safety and to accommodate the movement of water through the system. The dam is located at Lock 19, south of Lansdowne Street where it crosses the Otonabee River.

“Although every effort was made by the contractor to accelerate work between and since the stoppages, schedule slippage was unavoidable,” the media release states. “The updated schedule indicates construction of the new dam will be completed by early fall 2022, with demobilization to occur in late fall and landscaping in spring 2023.”

Construction on the project began in spring 2019 and, for the first two years of the project, contractors were instructed to work from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., including on weekends, with a variety of noise levels allowed at different times.

To keep the project on track for completion in spring 2022, in July 2021 Parks Canada approved an additional work shift by contractors, resulting in longer hours for light construction noise.

To date, work completed on the project includes construction of all new dam piers and abutments, as well as three out of seven spillways. Construction of an additional spillway and the connection of the dam and the lock is underway.

“The construction of the remaining spillways and completion of the overdecking railings and lighting has been delayed until summer 2022,” Parks Canada states. “Once complete, the contractor will remove the cofferdams and access bridges, demobilize from site, and complete site restoration and landscape activities.”

There will be no impacts to navigation on the Trent-Severn Waterway during the 2022 season, according to Parks Canada.

During the continued construction period, there will be no change to work hours and permitted noise.

Activities generating light construction noise only will be allowed daily from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. These activities can include general carpentry (including the use of handsaws and hammering), general craning (including form work placement and fuelling), rebar placement, concrete finishing and parging, and general site cleaning, cleanup, and organization.

Activities generating heavy construction noise will be allowed Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. These activities can include installation of piles, use of machinery or vehicles equipped with backup alarms, demolition and excavation, use of air compressors, drilling and bush hammering, and loading, hauling, and placement of rip rap or concrete.

According to Parks Canada, once completed the new dam will respect the historic look of the site and will have a life expectancy of more than 80 years. It will optimize hydraulic capacity, increase the safety of water management operations, and be constructed in a way that allows improved access for maintenance activities.

In addition, the project will be the first step in creating a more public-friendly lock site. Once restored, the dam will include pedestrian access onto the dam itself.

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) now has its second magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, the hospital announced on Friday (February 4).

MRI is a non-invasive imaging technology that produces detailed three-dimensional scans of the body’s organs and tissues and is often used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring.

“Today marks a very important milestone for PRHC and for the people we serve across our community and region,” says Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC’s executive vice president and chief of staff, in a media release.

According to Dr. Mikula, the second MRI machine will allow the hospital to perform up to 5,000 additional MRI procedures annually.

“Over the last four years, the demand for MRI scanning has increased by 53 per cent at PRHC,” Dr. Mikula says. “Not only will having a second MRI improve access to care closer to home for our patients, it will decrease wait times and offer modern, leading-edge MRI technology for our patients.”

Both the existing and new MRI machines are Philips Ambition 1.5T MRI systems. The second MRI is expected to be fully operational in March.

In November 2021, the provincial government announced it was providing PRHC with an unspecified amount of funding for the second MRI machine. The PRHC Foundation has also supported bringing a second MRI machine to the hospital.

VIDEO: PRHC’s second MRI machine

If we’re to have any hope of advancing to the next stage of lessened COVID-19 restrictions, we must continue to make “smart choices” in terms of our personal safety measures.

That’s the word from medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott who, during a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Thursday (February 3), said what’s ahead “is contingent on what we do — the actions that each and every one us take.”

“As we emerge into this next stage of learning to live with COVID, I want to highlight that there are measures that each and every one of us can take that don’t have the same degree of negative impact that the more heavy measures, like lockdowns, do.”

“Continuing to wear a tightly fitted mask any time you’re around someone outside of your household bubble,” he said. “Getting vaccinated if you haven’t, and getting your third dose if you haven’t done that and are eligible. Staying home when you’re sick. Getting tested if you’re able to. It is on us to continue this process on the journey to learning to live with COVID-19.”

To those who are looking for a tangible sign that the COVID picture is brightening, Dr. Piggott said anything deemed positive has to be taken with a generous grain of salt.

“There continues to be waste-water surveillance that’s detecting transmission of omicron, though it is down. There continues to be a significant number of deaths in this community. There continues to be a burden on the hospital. We’ve passed the worst of this (omicron wave) and are in a better position. What we don’t know is what will come.”

“As the modelling is indicating, we could be in a position where we will continue to see a decline in cases over the coming weeks. We could see a rebound. We could see something in between. If we all do our part to decrease unnecessary risks, we will start to emerge and see the other side of this very soon.”

While not wanting to raise people’s hopes that COVID-19 will be in our rear-view mirror any time soon, Dr. Piggott expressed “a lot of faith that the vast majority of people in this community and in our region will continue to do their part.”

“I think we’re on the right track and we will continue to see this decline (in cases) progress,” he added. “But my crystal ball broke a while ago. We need to be nimble and adapt to the evidence as it comes out.”

As of late Wednesday afternoon (February 2), there were 249 PRC-confirmed active COVID cases in the Peterborough region — a drop of 87 since the last health unit media briefing on January 27. To date this week since Monday, 74 new COVID cases have been confirmed locally. According to the health unit, the number of active cases is “the tip of the iceberg” due to changes in PCR testing availability.

As encouraging as those numbers are, a grim milestone has been realized with the number of local COVID-related deaths having surpassed 50, now at 51 — an increase of five over the past week. There have now been 25 COVID-related deaths since just before Christmas.

There are 14 active outbreaks. Five outbreaks are ongoing at congregate living facilities while others continue at Extendicare Lakefield, Riverview Manor, Fairhaven Long-Term Care, St. Joseph’s at Fleming, Rubidge Retirement Residence, Sherbrooke Heights Retirement Residence, Kawartha Heights Retirement Living, Peterborough Retirement Residence, and Centennial Place (Millbrook). Meanwhile, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is also dealing with a unit outbreak as it cares for 20 COVID-ill in-patients.

Meanwhile, the local vaccination picture shows that, as of late Wednesday afternoon, 87.1 per cent of those 18 and older eligible for a vaccine had received two doses with 59.4 per cent in that same group having received three doses. Meanwhile, 52.8 per cent of children aged five to 11 have received one dose and 17.1 per cent have received two shots. As for booster shot uptake, 51.8 per cent of all residents eligible aged five and up have rolled up their sleeves.

All Healthy Planet Arena clinics are now open for walk-in appointment for all ages and doses. Visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics for more information regarding clinic locations and hours.

Dr. Piggott spoke at length about Paxlovid, a newly approved oral treatment for COVID-19. Individuals who qualify for the five-dose regimen are those who are immune-compromised, those 60 years or older with a medical risk factor and are unvaccinated, and Indigenous residents who are 50 years or older and are unvaccinated.

Those hoping to benefit from the drug must start on their regimen within five days of their confirmed COVID diagnosis, and can only do so once assessed and referred by PRHC.

“At this stage, there’s an extremely limited supply of this medicine,” Dr. Piggott said. “The closest clinical assessment centre to Peterborough is Lakeridge Health in Durham Region. People in our community will start to become eligible for this medicine, which may save many lives.”

Asked if he has any concerns over Paxlovid’s emergence in terms of the effect it will have on those opting to not get vaccinated, Dr. Piggott said he’s not overly concerned there will be a resulting adverse effect on vaccination uptake.

“Just because you can get a blood transfusion after a car accident, that doesn’t mean you’re not going to wear your seatbelt and drive safe. Right now, the access to this medicine is extremely limited. People should not be thinking of it as a panacea. Beyond that, there’s a fairly limited group of individuals who can qualify for this treatment.”

Also on the media briefing call were Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith and Selwyn mayor and Board of Health chair Andy Mitchell. Peterborough-Kawartha MP Michelle Fererri was not in attendance.