As spring approaches and the snow starts to disappear, it reveals all kinds of treasures, some of them better than others, such as this antler that was likely recently shed by a deer, right in the middle of Swan River Legion Park...

A member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) was recognized and honoured in the Manitoba Legislature a couple of weeks ago. The Pas-Kameesak MLA Amanda Lathlin gave a special recognition statement in honour of Peggy Wilson. Wilson was acknowledged for her leadership and dedication to the Opaskwayak Culture and Healthy Living Initiative.
“After my husband and I retired in 2002, we both wanted to give back to the community,” said Peggy Wilson. “We would come back to OCN every summer after the university year was over and stay to do some work here before going back to work in the fall. One of the things I noticed was how many people had diabetes. When I realized over 60 percent of the people in the community had diabetes and I felt something had to be done.

University College of the North (UCN) is preparing to host their annual Carer Fair coming up this month. This allows people to learn more about a certain field of employment and what it takes to enter into the profession they want to work in.
“The University College of the North’s Journey to Your Future Career Fair serves as an excellent platform for employers and job seekers to connect,” said UCN Career Resources Coordinator Kelly Hause. “This event provides businesses with a unique opportunity to engage with job-ready students, recent graduates, and community members actively seeking employment. Attendees will be able to expand their professional networks and explore new career opportunities.”

The ball has dropped and a federal election has been called amid a potential trade war. Many federal candidates have hit the ground running and long-standing MP Niki Ashton is seeking re-election in the Churchill Keewatinook Aski riding. Ashton knows this is a very difficult and trying time for Canada as we fall out of the Free Trade Agreement and into some uncertain times.
“This is a very important election for our region and Canada,” said Ashton. “It’s clear that we need strong representation for our region as we face an unprecedented economic attack from the U.S. To face that attack from the U.S., it’s very clear to me that we need to reinforce what makes us proud to be Canadian and our economies, whether it’s in the mining, resources or manufacturing sectors. We also need to look at bolstering our healthcare, which is another thing that sets us apart from the U.S. We need to invest in housing and infrastructure, where there are still major gaps, especially in northern Manitoba. We need to invest in our young people.

Premier Wab Kinew and Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses joined Marcel Colomb First Nation, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation and Alamos Gold at a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction for a new gold mine near the town of Lynn Lake.
“Alamos Gold’s generational expansion project will benefit Indigenous nations and northern Manitoba with hundreds of good jobs,” said Kinew. “We’re proud to get a new mine to the construction phase within just 18 months of taking office. Now more than ever, we need to create economic opportunities in our province and lay the groundwork for new trade partnerships.”

If you need a little healthy variety in your mealtime, a great thing to pick up is some fresh and delicious microgreens, which Barefoot Farms has in spades – despite the fact that the hydroponic greenhouse doesn’t use dirt.
Owner/operator Dale Mohr has been experimenting a little bit with different species of microgreens, in which the premature sprouts of different plants get harvested early and add a concentrated pop of flavour and nutrients to whatever you decide to add them too.
“You can mix them in a salad or put them on a sandwich, anywhere you want to add a boost of flavour, and they’re super healthy,” said Mohr. “There is three times the goodness on average of the fully grown plant, so that speaks to the amazing goodness in the seeds themselves. I grow them on hemp fibre mats that I get from Edson, Alta., and the seeds from Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds in Saskatoon, Sask..”
On average, microgreens only take between 10 and 14 days, whereas Mohr’s other leafy greens in his greenhouse can take between 30-50 days.
“Borage microgreens can replace a cucumber in a salad, with little need for prep,” said Mohr. “And, I’m never going to need to grow garden peas again. In my mind, the microgreens have way more flavour and half the effort.
“The radish microgreens also come out tasting like a radish, but not like when you sometimes eat a radish that can be woody or bland sometimes. The microgreens nail it every time with great flavour and finish with a burn. I don’t think I’ve made a sandwich in the last year without putting some on.”
Mohr also has some broccoli, onion chives and garlic microgreens on the go.
The remainder of his greenhouse is still well stocked with the variety of different green heads in his completely hydroponic setup, powered by the natural energy of the sun much of the time with some support from artificial lights when needed.
“My dill and arugula is really taking off,” said Mohr. “There’s amazing benefits and great flavour. The arugula has basically gone from being an addition to a salad to people making whole salads out of it. Now, I’m offering a younger and older variety so you can get different textures and taste profiles.”
Mohr continues to grow beet tops, bok choy, swiss chard and kale, along with the different lettuce varieties like romaine and tropicana.
Mohr is also nearly three years deep into his Barefoot Farms business, having started it soon after moving back to his home region of Minitonas, from his lucrative career in the western Prairies.
While he began his business for the love of growing food and being able to work for himself to make a living, he finds that he has even grown as a person in that time.
“I thought the people would be my least favourite part of the process, and I’m learning that it is becoming my favourite as I explore that side of my personality,” said Mohr. “I’m seeing if I can grow what my customers need.
“This has taught me how to be a member of the community, which is the part I’m most excited about diving into. And, this community is awesome with the variety of people that come through my door.”
Mohr has also learned – with first hand knowledge – about operating a small business, about where it is worthwhile to spend money, and about not feeling bad if he is to charge a bit more for an item if it makes sense for his business, as compared to a grocery store.
He’s also had to reduce the hours that he is open, down to Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., to allow for more time off and a better work/life balance.
“I’m better functioning when I’m here if I take a break,” said Mohr. “And, I’m usually always here because my controls are manual and things can heat up in a hurry if you don’t watch (the temperatures). The lettuce is the biggest tattletale, where the tips will burn if it gets too warm.
“I used to be a cog in a machine and now I’m the whole machine. It’s fascinating what you learn as a small business. I’m hoping that if I can get the product right and the people right, the end of the month will take care of itself.”
Barefoot Farms is located just outside of Minitonas, about 1.5 miles west of the Minitonas Hotel.

Members of MGEU who work for Michif Child and Family Services (CFS) in Swan River have been participating in the strike action that union members have taken in protest of the projected layoffs of members around the province, particularly in light of millions of dollars in increased funding from the Manitoba government. MGEU is also calling for fair wages for these workers, in order to be able to retain and attract the professionals they do have, in order to reasonably retain services. The contract for Michif CFS expired Jan. 31, 2023...

Local resident 18-year-old Landon Froese has been focused on competing in contact sports for quite some time. He got his start with jiu-jitsu and has now transitioned to wrestling.
“Last spring, I went to Montreal, competed there and won gold in jiu-jitsu,” said Froese. “I went up against some tough opponents. Then I also went to some jiu-jitsu competitions in Winnipeg and Saskatoon last year and won gold at those.
“I started doing a lot of wrestling and won three golds, two silvers and one bronze in those competitions. I recently competed in the Manitoba Provincials Tryouts for Team Manitoba and won gold there. I also earned a spot on Team Manitoba for wrestling as well.

Students in schools had the opportunity to connect with Fred Fox, brother of Terry Fox, and hear about how the Terry Fox Run has grown and what it has done for cancer research.
“It was amazing to be up in The Pas talking with the students,” said Fox. “I do a lot of travelling throughout the year across the country and I’ve always said, we can’t just go to the big city centers. We need to get out and about to all the smaller communities in between. The Pas has been as far north as I’ve ever been in Manitoba, so it was great to be there.
“To this extent, this will be my 16th year of doing this. I’ve been speaking at schools since the mid-90s, but travelling across the country now, as my mom used to do, it’s been about 16 years. This is the 45th Anniversary of the Terry Fox Run. Terry started his run in 1980, and then the very first Terry Fox Runs happened in 1981.”

The Province announced their 2025 budget last Thursday and is forecasting a deficit. Right now the Manitoba government is predicting a deficit that could range from $800 million to $1.9 billion, due to the uncertainty of a tariff war with the United States.
The Province is preparing to provide up to $500 million in support to businesses and jobs impacted by the tariffs. This is part of its strategy to prepare for the tariff war.
The 2025 Budget is focused on rebuilding health care, lowering costs for Manitobans, growing the economy, creating healthier families and safer communities, protecting Manitobans from tariffs and creating a government that works for the people. The Province is also investing $3.7 billion in capital projects that include new schools, emergency rooms and personal care homes in rural areas.