Truth and reconciliation, a new world map, quirky science and more

And…exhale.

That’s the first week of school in the books! With the late start to the school year, we’re already heading into the second week of September!

As we approach Truth and Reconciliation Day, we’re delighted to share Niigaan Sinclair’s thoughts on the month of September that include suggestions of specific ways to explore topics related to residential schools all month long.

We have two geography stories about map representations of our country and world this week. First, the well-known map of Canada on the cover of Hilroy notebooks has been missing something pretty important. Another major cartography story this week looks at the newly approved Equal Earth Projection map, which is set to replace the Mercator Projection as the official likeness of our planet.

And you may have heard of the Nobel Prizes, but have you heard of the Ig Nobel prizes? These honour the quirkiest research and discoveries in the year of science. Use this story as a launch point for teaching research skills through challenging your learners to discover other quirky peer-reviewed research online.

Read on for this week’s subject-specific news and events from the Free Press!

—Rebecca Chambers

For the youngest learners

One young figure skater came to love the sport when her mom was her coach. What things do you like to do with the grown-ups in your life? What is one important activity a grown-up has introduced you to that you still enjoy doing?

Grace Penner:

The skate doesn’t fall far from the tree

Love of the rink came differently for mother-daughter figure skaters Read More

Here’s a short story of the first two Ukrainians to settle in Manitoba. What is your own family history? Where did your ancestors live?

Peter John Manastyrsky:

Canada’s first Ukrainian pioneers

On Aug. 24, Canadians of Ukrainian descent and Ukrainians throughout the diaspora celebrated the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence. This jubilant occasion identified Ukrain… Read More

You can use plants to create dyes for crafts! Which of these plants have you heard of? What colours can they make?

Colleen Zacharias:

Are you dyeing to try?

Learn to make natural plant dyes and more at the Manitoba Fibre Festival Read More

See our full collection of news for young children here.

News for debate and discussion

Should Winnipeg make 30 km/h school zone speed limits permanent year-round?

Tom Brodbeck:

No more playing around, make 30 km/h school zones permanent

Winnipeg has already decided that 30 kilometres per hour is the right speed around schools. It’s time to stop pretending that decision should expire every summer. Read More

Should U.S. ambassador Pete Hoekstra be uninvited to 9/11 commemorations in Gander, N.L.?

The Canadian Press:

Gander, N.L., defends invitation to U.S. ambassador Hoekstra to 9/11 commemoration

ST. JOHN’S – The Town of Gander, N.L., says its invitation to United States Ambassador Pete Hoekstra to attend a 9/11 ceremony this month was protocol, not an endorsement.

Hoekstra is among a list … Read More

Should politicians leverage their opponents’ past choices to gain the upper hand during elections?

Tom Brodbeck:

Politicians who harp on Klein’s history with Nygard do so at their own peril

It was probably the easiest prediction to make in Winnipeg politics this week: the moment Kevin Klein officially entered the mayoral race, someone would bring up Peter Nygard.

Sure enough, they did… Read More

Dan Lett:

NDP minister needs lesson in political civility

Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine’s decision to intercede in Winnipeg’s mayoral election may be surprising to some political observers. To others, however, it is entirely on brand.

On Tuesday, Fon… Read More

See our full collection of topics for debate and discussion here.

News by school subject

A round-up of the latest Free Press news articles, with suggestions for use in the classroom. Click on any subject name below to access our full online archive of stories related to that subject.

APPLIED COMMERCE

The impact of independent business (good and bad) on a neighbourhood — a tale of two corner stores:

Gabrielle Piché:

‘Part of the neighbourhood’s history’: Minto staple B.C. Grocery shutters

Gary Achtemichuk stopped at his favourite Winnipeg corner store for relish.

Unlike similar trips over the last four decades, he left with a surprise: B.C. Grocery, a Minto neighbourhood staple, was… Read More

Morgan Modjeski:

Neighbours relieved after fire strikes Quickie Mart

As Janina McNaughton watched the Quickie Mart on River Avenue go up in flames on Tuesday, she felt relieved.

“The first thing I see is flames, like a fireball of flames inside,” McNaughton said abo… Read More

Retailers are merging their rewards programs to benefit one another:

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press:

Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons launch partnership to boost loyalty programs

TORONTO – Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. and Tim Hortons are hoping to perk up their customer bases by linking their loyalty programs.

Under a partnership launched between the home goods retailer and caf… Read More

ARTS

A lawsuit against American AI-powered song machines getting their data from Canadian culture, and producing shockingly similar material:

Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press:

SOCAN sues Suno, alleges AI company copies Canadian music without paying creators

Canada’s largest member-owned music rights organization is suing U.S. artificial intelligence company Suno, alleging the AI music generator copied songs in its repertoire — including Nickelback’s 2005 hit “Photograph” — without permission or compensation. Read More

The power of community and creativity through comic art in Winnipeg:

Sheldon Birnie:

Panel power

Comic creator unleashes talent with book bound for festival Read More

An ambitious and must-see piece of theatre that redefines audience experience:

Ben Waldman:

Peek behind the curtain

Complex dual production ‘R+J: Closing Night’ brings theatre audience in on panicked process of putting on a show Read More

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Turning a part-time high school job into a full-time entrepreneurial endeavour:

Aaron Epp:

‘Soapy disco’ for your ride

Flamingo car wash promises express customer service Read More

From science to food service: careers and experiences in Manitoba provincial parks:

Melissa Martin:

All that’s done for fun in the sun

St. Malo’s summer hot spot relies on a dedicated community of professionals, entrepreneurs and devotees to make sure park-goers can kick back and relax Read More

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

Examining an issue through detailed storytelling about people directly affected:

Marieke Glorieux-Stryckman, The Canadian Press:

Schwartz’s Deli swaps black cherry soda for local alternative as U.S. tariffs bite

On a typical summer day at Schwartz’s Deli, in Montreal, there’s a lineup at the door as tourists and locals wait to get their smoked-meat sandwich. But now, something has changed. Read More

Using storytelling and personal perspective in memoir-style writing:

Deborah Schnitzer:

Picking berries, sharing wonders in a muted woodland

This summer, Manitoba suffered prolonged periods of extreme weather. While eager to pick berries with my grandson, as is our habit, the temperatures were forbidding.

My grandson, 5, remained intrep… Read More

FRENCH COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

Monolingual elections materials stir up conversations about language rights in Quebec:

Erika Morris, The Canadian Press:

Élections Québec says it’s too late to print voter documents in English

MONTREAL – Élections Québec says it is too late to make changes to the unilingual French documents it is mailing to voters ahead of the Oct. 5 election despite facing backlash from the anglophone comm… Read More

HUMAN ECOLOGY

The implications of daycare costs for low-income families:

Nicole Buffie:

Province announces free daycare for low-income families

Eligible parents will have their child-care fees waived come Sept. 13. Read More

Specialty fabrics for specialty uses:

Gabrielle Piché:

‘One-stop powwow shop’

Trail Creations opens doors to traditional, ceremonial clothing Read More

Some of the many ways in which children with additional needs learn and access information:

Audrey Sanikopoulos, The Canadian Press:

Quebec school finds creative ways to help students with visual impairments learn

MONTREAL – At Jacques-Ouellette school, learning can mean reading braille, making out large print, or relying on touch — and no two students learn quite the same way.

The hallways of the Longueuil … Read More

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION

Targeted recruitment increases Indigenous post-secondary participation:

Abiola Odutola:

Indigenous enrolment up 12.5% at Brandon U

Brandon University has recorded a 12.5 per cent increase in enrolment by Indigenous students from last year. Read More

A plethora of ways to promote and understand Truth and Reconciliation every day:

Niigaan Sinclair:

How to make National Day for Truth and Reconciliation personal

Throughout September, there will be thousands of opportunities to participate in the interests of truth, reconciliation and building a Canada that is inclusive and just. If you run out of ideas for taking part, here are a few things you can do. Read More

MATH

The realities of family finances and strategies to save for post-secondary education:

Joel Schlesinger:

‘It’s rough out there’

Back to school means increased costs for parents, post-secondary students for everything, everywhere, all at once Read More

Poll results of Canadian priorities:

Emily McMillan and Akaash Maharaj:

Canadians do not want to sacrifice nature for development

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pledge to build faster — “Build, baby, build” — helped propel the Liberals to victory, but his government’s push to fast-track major development projects by cutting enviro… Read More

PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION

The genesis and success of girls’ soccer in Manitoba:

Grace Penner:

Paving the way for a league of their own

Tweed a historic figure in Winnipeg’s women’s soccer scene Read More

Navigation tips and reasons to lean into difficult conversations:

Tory McNally:

Discourse we’d rather avoid

What Crucial Conversations can teach us about handling difficult situations Read More

SCIENCE

The Nobel prizes honour the best in research an innovation, while the Ig Nobel Prizes honour the quirkiest and most outlandish research questions and discoveries:

Adithi Ramakrishnan, The Associated Press:

Scientists studying cockroach milk and nose-blowing win Ig Nobel prizes for quirky science

Ten research teams were honored last week at a satirical science awards ceremony that was hosted outside the U.S. for the first time due to travel concerns. Read More

SOCIAL STUDIES

Oops! Hilroy notebooks mysteriously drop Newfoundland and Haida Gwaii from the map of Canada on their covers:

Lyndsay Armstrong and Eli Ridder, The Canadian Press:

Hilroy says sorry for leaving Newfoundland, Cape Breton off notebooks’ Canadian map

Hilroy has apologized for leaving Newfoundland and Cape Breton off the Canadian map on its glossy notebooks, after the mistake led to backlash online.

Hilroy’s pastel-coloured paper exercise books … Read More

The most commonly-used world map is changing to better reflect the actual size of land masses, especially Africa:

The Associated Press:

UN General Assembly endorses a new world map that shows more accurately Africa’s size

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday endorsed a new world map that represents Africa more accurately in its larger size, a culmination of a recent campaign led by African countries and advoca… Read More

The legacy of artwork stolen by the Nazis during the Second World War and the long reach of justice for those it was stolen from:

Sergio Farella And Almudena Calatrava, The Associated Press:

Argentine court clears return of Nazi-looted portrait to Jewish dealer’s heir

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A long-lost Italian portrait looted from a prominent Jewish art dealer during World War II was set to be returned to his heir after an Argentine court on Friday approved… Read More

TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

Five of the best Canadian films at the Toronto International Film Festival:

Nicole Thompson and Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press:

A closer look at five standout Canadian titles headed to TIFF 2026

TORONTO – When writer-director David Bezmozgis set out to adapt his 2014 novel “The Betrayers” for the big screen, he wasn’t just changing its format. He also had to adjust to a new geopolitical lands… Read More