Robertson’s reconciliation roadmap makes for timely book club fodder

Robertson’s reconciliation roadmap makes for timely book club fodder

The Free Press Book Club, McNally Robinson Booksellers are pleased to welcome back Winnipeg Swampy Cree author David A. Robertson to the next virtual meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. to read from and discuss his new work of non-fiction 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing.

Published by McClelland & Stewart in May, 52 Ways to Reconcile features Robertson’s suggestions for simple but impactful actions Canadians of all walks of life can take towards healing the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in this country.

The solutions Robertson offers — one for every week of the year — are each presented in their own short, concise chapters, with a mix of themes ranging from practical to educational to inspirational, and with Robertson’s own experiences sprinkled throughout. Suggestions range from supporting an Indigenous musician to attending a powwow to starting an Indigenous book club, speaking out and more.

In his Free Press roundup review of a trio of books on reconciliation, Joel Boyce said “The idea of 52 Ways to Reconcile is to take one step towards reconciliation every week, with enough chapters to fill a full year, though… the engaging style makes it hard to stop after one short chapter,” adding “Every chapter includes both a heartfelt case for why a given task is worth doing, another little bit of the author’s personal journey in advancing reconciliation and a number of specific examples of where you can get started on any given week’s suggestion.”

Dynacare workers provide essential services that must be maintained during strike, labour board rules

The Manitoba Labour Board has ruled Dynacare workers are essential employees and their services must be maintained during a labour dispute.

Brandonmeat packer thriving on its own

BRANDON — Canada Packers has strengthened its business and laid the foundation for future growth during its first year as an independent company, its president says.

The Brandon-based pork producer, separated from Maple Leaf Foods in October 2025, established its own leadership, strategy, systems, culture and identity while continuing operations across its hog production farms and regional hog barns in southern and eastern Manitoba.

The company’s first year was focused on building a successful standalone business while continuing to serve customers, communities and shareholders, president Dennis Organ said.

“Market conditions over the past year have been more challenging than we anticipated when we became a separate entity,” he said in an email. “Despite that, we continued to execute against our priorities, including increasing processing volumes, maintaining disciplined operations and strengthening the business.”

International flavour: Canadian investors may want to make like Ottawa, diversify beyond U.S.

Canada is learning the hard way about the dangers of putting too many eggs in its U.S. economic basket.

Much has been made about the need to diversify our economy away from the United States.

Diversification is understandably beneficial. The more varied streams of revenue a nation has, the less affected the economy will be when one of those sources is interrupted.

The same can be said about investment portfolios.