Thank you for your support

Biidaajimowin: News from the Centre is off this week but I’d like to thank readers of the Free Press for all of their support and engagement that led to me becoming a finalist for The Mary Ann Shadd Cary Award for Columns at the 2025 National Newspaper Awards!

For anyone who doesn’t know about the remarkable career of Mary Ann Shadd Cary — the first African-American woman to publish and edit a newspaper — check her out here.

Mary Ann Shadd Cary (Library and Archives Canada)

This is my third nomination for the award and I have won the award once, in 2018.

Miigwech and thanks to everyone for the support!

Niigaan Sinclair, Columnist

Dish sent every second Friday. The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney.

IN PICTURES

From left: Chief Joe Miskokomon, who helped advance First Nations self-governance and safeguard Indigenous rights and treaties, alongside Gov. Gen. Mary Simon as a Member of the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on March 19. (Spencer Colby / The Canadian Press files)

WHAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON

Niigaan Sinclair:

Most vulnerable will pay the most for federal budget cuts

As the federal government reallocates funds to deal with a $78 billion deficit, the loss of prison librarian positions threatens to undermine rehabilitation efforts for marginalized inmates. Read More

LOCAL NEWS

Gabrielle Piché:

NDP includes $10M for ‘unlocking opportunities’ in Manitoba’s North

The Manitoba government plans to to spark business investment in Churchill and drum up interest in an energy corridor via a $10-million fund. Read More

Carol Sanders:

Premier, NDP caucus pay tribute to northern MLA who left ‘very profound’ legacy

Premier Wab Kinew sang an honour song and paid tribute in the legislature Monday to Amanda Lathlin, the NDP MLA for The Pas- Kameesack who died Saturday at age 49 following an illness. Members of t... Read More

Dean Pritchard:

Accused cold-case killer pleads guilty to manslaughter

A former Winnipeg man arrested following a “Mr. Big” investigation into the cold-case killing of Crystal Saunders has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Kevin Charles Queau, 44, had been set to stand ... Read More

Devin Stevens, The Canadian Press:

Bridgewater teen in court after threats to schools in Nova Scotia and Manitoba

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA - A 15-year-old facing charges over threats to schools in Nova Scotia and Manitoba will remain in custody for at least another month. The teenager from Bridgewater, N.S., a... Read More

Carol Sanders:

Province still working on Crown corporation legislation to get Port of Churchill expansion going, Kinew says

Legislation needed to begin the work of turning the Port of Churchill into a national export hub with the potential to transform Manitoba’s economy is still being hammered out, says Premier Wab Kinew.... Read More

Chris Kitching:

‘A life-or-death program’: non-profit’s successful at-risk youth training awaits Ottawa funding decision

An inner-city non-profit that helps at-risk youth in Winnipeg has warned it will be forced to end an employment and training program March 31 unless government funding comes through. A year of fede... Read More