Multiculturalism in the city

Across Canada’s diverse cities, the country is preparing to celebrate Multiculturalism Day on Saturday, June 27. Winnipeg is no different.

Groups interpret and acknowledge the day in unique ways, reflecting the variety of cultures and their distinctive features found across neighbourhoods in the city.

“Multiculturalism day is a day that we bring all the community together to celebrate the beautiful mosaic of our beautiful city,” said Zita Somakoko, founder of the Black-Manitobans Chamber of Commerce (BMCC), doctor, business owner, immigrant from Guinea, and community advocate.

BMCC is hosting a barbecue community day to acknowledge the federal holiday. This is the fourth year BMCC has held the event.

Lions leaving lacrosse legacy

The girls’ lacrosse team at Glenlawn Collegiate recently finished its season in style – and will leave a lasting legacy.

Now in its fourth year in the program, the St. Vital-based team won its first Manitoba High School Field Lacrosse League division 1 championship, beating Sturgeon Heights Collegiate 8-7 on June 14 at Shaughnessy Park Field.

Grade 12 student Vayda Rigaux, a midfielder, said as the season — which started in April — progressed, she started to believe the Lions could go all the way and win the title, adding that in the championship game the team went two goals up with a couple of minutes to go, so it was a case keeping hold of possession until the final whistle.

“It feels great,” said Rigaux, 18, who was preparing to graduate at press time. “It definitely means a lot to us to be champions at the end of the season. This honestly makes it harder to leave high school now … because of all the people I’ve met and all the fun and success I’ve had.”

Comedy Showcase returns to Park Theatre

The Winnipeg Comedy Showcase marks its 43rd show this Friday, June 26 at the Park Theatre.

Twelve years and 43 shows in, one might wonder how comedians keep their material fresh for the crowd.

Emmanuel Lomuro, one of the show’s comics, said he was told a tip before on keeping his jokes original.

“If you tell jokes about yourself, then nobody can replicate them,” said Lomuro as he laughed over the phone.

Bannock for Binders aims to fill a gap in care

After being inspired by their own over comings, Sunday Queskekapow — a 25-year-old, two-spirit individual from Ohpáskowayáhk (The Pas) — has launched a new initiative called Bannock for Binders.

“It’s something that’s been brewing in my brain for a while now,” Queskekapow laughed.

Bannock for Binders is a pop-up community endeavor. Queskekapow, along with other 2SLGBTQ+ youth, will be selling bannock to raise money for Pride organizations in Northern Manitoba.

“I’m not two-spirit because I’m Indigenous, trans, queer, but because I’m a community member,” Queskekapow said. They explained how important engagement and contributing to the community is to them.

Village Music Fest returning to Osborne on June 27

It went so well last year, they’re doing it again.

The second annual Village Music Fest will be held at different venues throughout Osborne Village on Saturday, June 27.

According to a release, the free, all-ages event will run from noon until late and feature more than 30 live performances, interactive art installations, and hands-on cultural experiences.

The festival also dovetails with Canadian Multiculturalism Day, which makes it an all-around celebration of Osborne Village and life beyond its borders.

Local legends inducted into baseball hall of fame

The induction speeches at the recent Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony were poignant reflections on family and community.

Elmwood baseball legend Al Kinley received his honorary life membership in recognition of decades of contributions as a player, coach, historian and administrator.

“Al believes that community involvement is as important as success on the ballfield,” chairman Dan Giesbrecht said. “His knowledge of baseball history is vast and unmatched.”

Kinley introduced fellow Giant Ed Kulyk as a coach and builder, calling him “one of my boys.”

NGCC’s knight of celebration a royal hit

There was a lot happening at Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre (26 Molgat Ave.) on June 5, when the St. Vital-based facility held its Knight of Celebration event.

The annual, family-focused celebration included balloon animals, bouncy castles, a candy scramble, face painting, an obstacle course and a petting zoo.

There was also a dunk tank fundraiser in support of Grateful Friends Animal Rescue, and the evening ended with a low-noise fireworks display at dusk.

‘A matter of priorities and choices’

When it comes to building a more equitable transit network here in Winnipeg, a few pieces of the puzzle are no-brainers.

“More buses, more routes, more access to everyone,” sings John Samson Fellows on 50/50 Funding, a new Vivat Virtute track that was released on June 15, as part of the Climate Action Team’s Next Stop 50-50 campaign. “We need 50/50 funding for a greener, for a fairer, we need 50/50 funding for a friendly Manitoba.”

Easy-peasy, right? So, what’s the hold up?

To paraphrase the late Lefty Frizzell, it’s all about the money, buddy.

Ramblin’ with … Body Measure, again!

We’re going back to visit Melina Elliott and Erica Henderson at Body Measure, because recent ads I’ve seen on TV informed me of a few new procedures to sculpt and shape your body while also, I believe, aiding weight loss and control.

This will be our third Body Measure column, which speaks to the dynamic nature these ladies bring to their business and helping their clients with a multitude of body and health related ways to feel and look their best. Following our usual routine, I’ll posit a few questions and let their replies write the column…

Recent TV advertisements, and your website, introduced us to a new and exciting procedure. Could you please share some information about this procedure with us?

At Body Measure, we’re always looking for ways to bring the most advanced, evidence-based technology to our clients — and one of the treatments you may have seen recently is Emsculpt Neo. This is a completely non-invasive treatment that helps build muscle and reduce fat at the same time. It uses a combination of high-intensity electromagnetic energy and radiofrequency to stimulate powerful muscle contractions — far beyond what you can achieve in a traditional workout — while also targeting stubborn fat.

The summer of reconnection

What an incredible summer it’s already been in River Heights. With beautiful weather and so many opportunities to gather, reconnect, and talk about the future of our neighbourhood, this season has already reminded me how strong, caring, and engaged our community truly is.

For me, summer always begins in one of the very best ways — with graduation ceremonies at our local schools. These moments remind us just how bright the future is. As a former theatre teacher, graduation season carries special meaning for me. I know how emotional it is to watch students you have cared about, and learned from, head off to new adventures. I’ve often said that graduation is both the happiest and the saddest day of the school year. More than anything, it’s deeply moving to see the genuine affection and gratitude shared between students and teachers, and to be reminded how much they shape one another along the way.

Early summer is also picnic and barbecue season, and I’ve been lucky to take part in many of them. These events don’t happen by accident — dedicated volunteers spend weeks planning, organizing, and showing up for their neighbours. Whether it’s the energy on Academy Road, the free concerts presented by the Corydon BIZ, the Corydon Community Centre barbecue, or school picnics and fairs, each event creates space for people to come together and celebrate what makes River Heights such a special place to call home. They’re also powerful reminders that community is built through participation, generosity, and shared effort.

There may be no better example of Winnipeg at its summer best than Folklorama. Since 1970, the festival has given us a unique chance to experience the rich cultural diversity of our city through food, music, dance, and conversation. What stays with me most, however, is the spirit of connection that runs through it all — the conversations with pavilion organizers and festival-goers, and the shared sense that we are strongest when we continue building a community that is closer, kinder, safer, and more welcoming. Community isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we build, one conversation, one shared experience at a time.

Meet Portia

Hello there. My name is Portia and I’m a mature, big-hearted gal — literally and figuratively — with a whole lot of love to give.

Here’s what you need to know about me: You won’t find me chewing your shoes or having accidents on your rug. I am fully crate and housetrained, and once we’ve had our morning walk and breakfast, I am very happy to settle down quietly and just… be with you. I’m calm, quiet, and I don’t make a fuss.

By the way, my absolute favorite things are our walks! I am very attuned to my people. However, I do pull a bit so we will need more practice together. I am very responsive to treats, though, which is super motivating. I’ll check in with you on our walks, and I’ll curl up nearby when you’re reading or watching TV. I just want to be your loyal companion.

However, I would like to be your only pet, as I do not like other dogs, cats, or any small furry creatures. And while I’m sweet and affectionate with adults, a home with children is not for me. I will thrive in a calm, predictable home where I can relax and know I’m safe.

All our relatives

There is so much for us to learn during Indigenous History Month and some of the best lessons originate at the grassroots level.

Bear Clan Patrol Inc. hears the stories and the personal histories of all our relatives when patrolling the streets of Winnipeg. “We listen, we don’t judge,” says executive director Kevin Walker. Likewise, lead co-ordinator of West Broadway/Downtown Bear Clan Patrol, Angela Klassen, says “we make sure our relatives are taken care of.”

Caring for the most vulnerable involves many facets of compassion and skill. While volunteers came from a variety of backgrounds, individually or as part of workplace teams or interest groups, a common thread is the desire to help.

The Winnipeg Bear Clan model of helping has been emulated in cities such as Brandon, Man., and many locales in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The highest compliment an organization can receive is recognition by one’s peers and Ottawa did just that. Their Odawa Native Friendship Centre is learning from Winnipeg’s Bear Clan with their Makwa Dodem Patrol initiative. When the heart of the country teams with the political capital a caring community can spread across the nation with First Nations leading the way.

Butterflyways connect communities

Butterflies. Beautiful little creatures with meanings and stories. Popular in art and poetry. Symbols of transformation. Butterfly season brings out those who want to make sure that butterflies continue to thrive for a long time.

Jennifer Engbrecht has lived in Wolseley for more than 25 years, but some of her Red River Métis ancestors have lived in the area for generations along the Assiniboine, so she’s always felt a connection to the neighbourhood.

For the past 31 years, the music teacher has been employed at École St. Germain in the Louis Riel School Division, where there’s a lot going on related to her interest in connecting learning on the land with music and the arts and deepening the love and care for nature.

“We have a pollinator garden, a vegetable garden that we grow to give back to Harvest Manitoba, and a medicine garden,” said Engbrecht, adding that for the last 11 years an environment club has been part of transformative learning at the school.