Sagkeeng’s Finest get ready for prime time

At last, some good news on homelessness

There is no shortage of reasons to be frustrated about homelessness in Winnipeg. But the latest numbers provide something that has been increasingly difficult to find — evidence that at least some things are getting better.

Sagkeeng’s Finest get ready for prime time

A trio of Manitoba teens are in Toronto this weekend preparing for the final of City TV's Canada's Got Talent.

Vince O'Laney and Brandon and Dallas Courchene from Sagkeeng First Nation danced their way into the finals this Sunday and Monday.

The group, called Sagkeeng's Finest, put together a routine based on traditional square dancing.

The Free Press caught up with the teens in Winnipeg this week as they perfected their routine in a local dance studio.

Carney’s defence of Lake Ontario carries enormous weight

For centuries on Turtle Island (North America), explorers, map makers, and political leaders have erased Indigenous place names and substituted them — more often than not — with political, ethnocentric, and self-aggrandizing names.

In recent years, a few places on the continent have had Indigenous names re-established, but as of today, few of the original names are “official.”

So, it was no surprise when U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of the Interior and Board on Geographic Names to take steps within 30 days to officially rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.”

The move may have been a result of the Canada-U.S. trade war and Trump’s pettiness and ego, but it also fits in perfectly with his career.

Dangerous offender status sought for convicted killer

Crown prosecutors intend to apply to have a convicted killer, who also admitted his guilt in an assault on a stranger at The Forks and a robbery at a local beer vendor, designated as a dangerous offender.

Daniel Christopher Dumas, who is in his mid-30s, pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm and robbery in front of provincial court Judge Donovan Dvorak on Monday for the attacks on June 6 and 7, 2025. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Prosecutor Monique Cam said the Crown plans to apply for a dangerous offender designation for Dumas, which, if granted, could result in him being given an indefinite prison sentence.

“The Crown does intend to make an application at a future date … for a remand for assessment to have Mr. Dumas assessed by a court-ordered assessor for the purpose of pursuing a dangerous offender application,” Cam said.

Today’s horoscope

MOON ALERT: After 3:30 a.m. today there are no restrictions to shopping or making important decisions. The moon is in Taurus.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

This is a poor day to achieve anything of substance at home or in dealing with family members. No matter what you suggest — or even what others proffer — will probably fall flat. Choose another time. In the meantime, just work hard and stay on track.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)