Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - January 20, 2025, Winnipeg, Manitoba MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025 B2 ● WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM NEWS I MANITOBA Manitobans of Italian heritage share life stories for preservation project History in the making C ATERINA Sotiriadis wished she had recorded her parents’ history when they were alive. The idea inspired a five-year vol- unteer project in which she and three friends interviewed more than 100 Manitobans of Italian descent. “My mother and father died and I never recorded their stories. It’s one of my regrets,” Sotiriadis, a longtime volunteer at Centro Caboto Centre on Wilkes Avenue, says. “We have an active 55-plus program. We noticed these people were dying — and as they were dying, their stories were dying. I phoned these three friends and said, ‘Let’s do an archival project.’” Sotiriadis partnered with Cristina Campomanes, Eliana Handford and Anna Dell’Acqua — all four are Italian immigrants themselves — to form the Manitoba Italian Canadian archival committee. They interviewed 101 Italian Manitobans from 2018 to 2024. The interviews, which ranged from 30 to 90 minutes, were recorded on video and most took place in the centre’s library. The committee donated the inter- views to the Archives of Manitoba for preservation last spring. The donation included a 35-minute documentary produced by the committee that uses some of the interviews as well as a dozen boxes of textual material that includes publications and meeting minutes from Italian Manitoban clubs and associations. “It was a very high learning curve,” Sotiriadis says. “We didn’t realize the thousands of hours it would take.” The committee sought to interview as many people as possible. The first interviewees, some of whom were older than 90, were selected based primarily on their age and fragility. The committee aimed to record immigrants whose talents, vision and hard work contributed to Manitoba. Many of the oldest interviewees shared stories about hardships and challenges they faced leaving Italy and their families and friends, and the frustration about arriving alone, with no knowledge of English. Several of the women interviewed talked about trudging through snow in winter to work in dust-filled textile factories. Sotiriadis says one woman recalled that in the 1950s, she would save the 10 cent bus fare — the same cost as a loaf of bread — and walk many kilometres to buy groceries and carry the bags home. “They came from a warm country; they didn’t know 40 below,” Sotiriadis says. “Here she was, plodding through the ice and snow of Canada, because she knew 10 cents meant food for her family.” Sotiriadis notes the numerous contributions Italians have made in Manitoba. The Mariaggi Hotel in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, for example, was built in 1903 by Frank Mariaggi, one of the first Italians to arrive in Mani - toba in 1870 as part of the Red River Expedition. The white horse monument in the Rural Municipality of St.François Xavier was created by George (Gior- gio) Barone, who came to Winnipeg in 1951 after spending 10 years as a sculptor in Rome. The Speakers’ chair in the Manitoba Legislative Building was carved by Carlo Fusetti. Four immigrants from Sicily built the Marlborough Hotel in 1913 and the Italian community built two seniors homes, Villa Cabrini and Villa Nova. “One of the hardest parts was decid- ing where to stop,” Hanford says about the project. “We had to stop because we couldn’t go on forever.” “We encourage young people to continue doing something like this,” Campomanes says. Dell’Acqua says the best part about working on the project was hearing amazing stories of courage, hard work, optimism and gratitude. “I really appreciated the fact that we could allow them to be told and record- ed for posterity,” she says. “Their voices will always be heard now.” If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@ freepress.mb.ca. Volunteer opportunities THE following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the or- ganization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteer- manitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180. ● Do you know an extraordinary volunteer, community group or organization making a difference? Nominations remain open for the 41st annual Volunteer Awards, presented by Volunteer Manitoba, after a deadline extension. The awards celebrate those who go above and beyond to cre- ate positive change in our communities. Submit your nomination at wfp.to/Aa7 by Jan. 30. ● FortWhyte Alive needs school program lead- ers to guide nature field trips for students from kindergarten to Grade 12. With nearly 40 guided programs available, the role enhances students’ learning in science, social studies and physical education. No expertise is required, but enthusi- asm and customer-service and time-management skills are essential. Comprehensive training and ongoing workshops are provided. The commit- ment is half a day per week. Apply at wfp.to/ADn by Jan. 30. ● The Manitoba Fencing Association needs volunteers for armoury support and other roles at the National Fencing Competition. The event is happening at the Sport for Life Centre from Feb. 14 to 16. Tasks include testing and certify- ing equipment, maintaining a clean venue and managing inventory. Training will be provided. Volunteers of all ages, especially those fluent in Mandarin or Japanese, are encouraged to apply. The time commitment is the evening of Feb. 13 and during the event days. Apply at wfp.to/ADc or jstruch@gmail.com by Feb. 5. ● Willow Place needs cultural support volun- teers to lead informal activities at its violence-pre- vention shelter for adults and children, focusing on cultural engagement through crafts and games. People from all backgrounds are welcome to apply. Candidates should have experience with groups, show patience and demonstrate cultural competency. The role offers valuable skills for fields such as social services and psychology and insight into family violence and recovery. The hours are flexible and training is provided. Email pamh@willowplace.ca by Feb. 7. ● Festival du Voyageur needs volunteers for Western Canada’s largest winter celebration, which is happening from Feb. 14 to Feb. 23 at Whittier Park. Volunteers will help create mem- orable experiences, greet visitors, support artists and ensure smooth operations. No experience is necessary and training will be provided, so anyone with enthusiasm can help. Volunteers will enjoy exclusive perks. Apply at wfp.to/AaH by Feb. 10. ● Shelter Movers — a national charity provid- ing free moving and storage services to people and families fleeing abuse — needs movers and drivers. Move co-ordinators, who work remotely, are also needed to plan and co-ordinate the details of a move and provide on-call support that day. Must be 18 or older. Email volunteer. winnipeg@sheltermovers.com by Jan. 30. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Cristina Campomanes (from left), Eliana Handford and Caterina Sotiriadis took part in a project that involved interviewing 101 Italian Manitobans from 2018 to 2024. AARON EPP VOLUNTEERS Conference delves into colonization, racism AT first glance, Muslims and Indigen- ous people in Manitoba might not have much in common. However, the two groups have experi- enced racism and the effects of coloni- alism, including efforts to convert them to Christianity. “We are all living with the history and trauma of colonization,” Shahina Siddiqui, executive director of the Is- lamic Social Services Association, said. “We have much in common from that experience.” The association will hold the first national Muslim-Indigenous Solidarity Conference, which is happening at the Hilton Suites Airport Hotel on Jan. 25 and Jan. 26. Siddiqui said the goal is to “strength- en the bonds between the Muslim and Indigenous communities through learning, sharing and healing circles.” Indigenous elders, Muslim imams, community leaders, academics and ac- tivists are scheduled to make presenta- tions. Topics to be discussed include the legacy of colonialism for Indigenous people and Muslims in North America; the role of colonialism in gender-based violence; the role of the church in as- similation, education and Christianiza- tion of Indigenous people in Canada and Muslims around the world; the spiritual commitment of Indigenous people and Muslims to peace, justice and human rights; and the role of spirituality in healing for members of both groups. In addition, there will be space for smudging and to speak to counsellors. “The legacy of colonialism is still with us today in the form of racism and dehumanization,” Siddiqui said, noting many countries in the develop- ing world that are home to Muslims — Egypt, Syria, Sudan, India, Jordan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Indonesia — were colonized by European powers such as Britain, France and the Netherlands from the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. “This is an opportunity for mem- bers of both communities to hear from each other how they are addressing the colonial legacy and racism, so we can share and learn together and build re- silience,” she said. Diane Redsky, a member of the con- ference planning committee and CEO of the Kekekoziibii Development Corp. at Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, said the event is also an opportunity to highlight positive aspects Muslim and Indigen- ous communities share. That includes the importance of pray- er, fasting, ceremonies, storytelling, community and respect for elders. “We share many values,” Redsky — who is Ojibwe — said, noting both Mus- lims and Indigenous people believe in the importance of peace, harmony and healing. The conference will be a time to “share food, teachings and stories,” she said. The conference, the last in a series of events designed to promote under- standing between the two groups, is being held with support from the Win- nipeg Foundation. Registration is $200. For more information, go to wfp.to/ solidarity. faith@freepress.mb.ca JOHN LONGHURST Court orders Nigerian man deported A Nigerian man who came to Canada to study will be deported after a judge on the province’s highest court said he waited too long to appeal his sentence for fleeing from police in a high-speed chase. Manitoba Court of Appeal Justice Anne Turner rejected Efua Oribhabor’s request, saying appeal extensions are not granted automatically. “The onus is on the applicant to show why they should receive an extension… while the accused asserts that he had a continuous intention to appeal and that he has a reasonable excuse for the de- lay, there is a dearth of evidence to sup- port this claim and his actions indicate otherwise,” Turner wrote. Oribhabor also argued the trial judge didn’t understand the immigration con- sequences he was facing and made an error by not ordering an “impact of race culture assessment report” be- fore he was sentenced. Turner said that would not have made a difference in whether he was deported or not. “The sentence imposed by the (prov- incial court) judge had no impact on the collateral consequence of the accused’s immigration status,” Turner wrote. “It was the conviction, for an offence of serious criminality, not the quantum of sentence, that triggered the depor- tation proceedings and deportation or- der… Even if a panel of this court re- duced the accused’s sentence on appeal, the immigration consequences would not be remedied.” Oribhabor could not be reached for comment over the weekend. His law- yer, Jean-Rene Kwilu, said he could not speak on the matter unless his client gave him permission. Oribhabor was given a bachelor of en- vironmental studies degree at a Univer- sity of Manitoba graduation ceremony on June 7, 2023. A few months before, on Jan. 3, he was charged with flight while pursued as well as drug posses- sion and firearm-related offences. Winnipeg Police Service spokes- woman Const. Dani McKinnon said there was also “a collision involving a police vehicle.” Oribhabor was convicted of flight from a peace officer after a trial in April, with the judge finding the ac- cused led the police on a chase through the icy streets of downtown. “The chase ended only after the ac- cused’s vehicle crashed and after a short foot pursuit,” Turner wrote. Oribhabor was sentenced to three months in custody and one year of supervised probation on July 24. While in custody, the Canadian Border Servi- ces Agency issued a report that ultim- ately resulted in a deportation order being issued. Turner said Oribhabor had 30 days to launch an appeal after the sentencing, but he didn’t do that until two-and-a- half months after his release from cus- tody on Sept. 23. The judge said the only evidence Ori- bhabor had to support the claim he had asked his original lawyer to file an ap- peal was his own affidavit. kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca KEVIN ROLLASON Eggs in Alberta, B.C., Ont., Man., Sask., recalled over salmonella concerns The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall because of a possible salmonella contamination of certain brands of eggs in Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia and other possible provinces and territories. The agency said the recall covers Compliments, Foremost, Golden Val- ley Eggs, IGA, no name and Western Family eggs. The expiry dates for re- called eggs are Feb. 16, Feb. 22 and March 1. The recall said not to consume, use, serve or distribute the recalled prod- ucts. Consumers are advised to throw the eggs away or contact the retailer that sold them. The agency said food affected with salmonella might not look or smell spoiled but can still make people sick. For healthy people, short-term sal- monella symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdom- inal cramps and diarrhea, while the infection can be more serious or fatal for young children, pregnant women, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. — The Canadian Press ;