Emergency five turns into regular gig

First Nations’ concerns overshadowed by talk of major projects

The contrast could not have been more stark in Ottawa — unceded Algonquin territory — this week.

On one side, hundreds of chiefs and their proxies met at the annual summer meeting of the Assembly of First Nations to debate resolutions focused on issues — primarily crises — in their communities.

Of the 53 policy resolutions and two emergency resolutions proposed by the chiefs, pressing topics such as child welfare, housing, drinking water, poverty, Alberta separatism, citizenship, and online attacks from deniers of the atrocities of residential schools were all on the agenda.

On the other side, over seven cabinet ministers from the federal government showed up basically to argue the case for the fast-tracking of “major projects.”

‘Weather whiplash’ leaves Winnipeg businesses sore

A spring and summer of intense weather has wreaked havoc on southern Manitoba, slamming it with torrential rain, tornadoes, intense heat and, now, wildfire smoke.

The Beer Can, a popular summer patio located next to the Granite Curling Club, had to close early Thursday due to a thunderstorm. Prior to that, customers had to deal with a blanket of smoke that rolled into town from wildfires raging in Ontario.

“We’re just keeping (staff) on standby and adapting to the weather as the days come,” said supervisor Kisis Angeconeb.

Winnipeg has seen its share of “weather whiplash” — the phenomenon of violent swings between extreme conditions in a short period of time.

WEL Manitoba investment fund signs on with Canadian company in push to meet province’s menstrual products mandate

An all-women, angel investment fund in Winnipeg is opening new doors for a Toronto-based company that produces organic, toxin-free tampons and pads.

WEL Manitoba recently voted to fund Marlow, a health startup that aims to revolutionize period care with the first-ever lubricated tampon designed for smoother and more comfortable insertion.

The fund’s investors were so impressed with Marlow they started linking the company with employers and retailers in the keystone province even before investing in the company, said Katie Hall Hursh, managing partner.

Those connections are being made in the lead-up to Sept. 1 — the day when all provincially regulated companies must provide free menstrual products to their employees.

Fringe reviews #1: Choose your fighter, then your venue

Absolutely not a cult, Afeni, #Black Eye, Chekov Shorts, Fakespeare, The Ghost of a Flea, A Sexy Pigeon Show, The Shelter, Things That Go Bump, Viento.

Emergency five turns into regular gig

Kaitlynn Brightnose’s first foray into standup comedy was what many people would categorize as a waking nightmare.

Home residents turn to agency after operator lays off 70 staff who unionized

Residents of a Winnipeg retirement home have taken matters into their own hands after the majority of the facility’s home-care aides were laid off following their unionization.

A committee of residents have banded together to work with a private agency to staff Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence after many of its existing aides complete their final shift on Monday.

“It is heartbreaking because there are a lot of vulnerable people here who are not capable of advocating for themselves,” said Joelle Robinson, who has lived at the home since 2023 after she suffered a brain aneurysm. “We’re trying very hard to make it so that our residents aren’t completely up the creek.”

Robinson, a retired lawyer, joined Terry Hopkinson and several other residents of the South Tuxedo home to create a committee and send out a request for proposal to eight companies that specialized in seniors care.