Opaskwayak Detachment - Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba: Police are investigating an assault & forcible confinement involving an adult female in the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.
On November 13, 2023, the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) received a report from an adult female who said that she was held against her will and assaulted in Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Officers of the Manitoba First Nation Police Service attended to the victim, who reported that she was assaulted and held against her will for several days.
Police also discovered that her infant child appeared to be the victim of an assault by the same suspect. Both victims received medical attention at the local hospital and were held overnight for observation.
Police are investigating this matter and have issued a warrant for the person responsible for the assault. The victim and suspect are known to each other, and this was not a random act. An arrest warrant for Kavika Reeves CONSTANT has been issued for the following offences: Assault with a weapon; Assault while choking; Assault; Being unlawfully in a dwelling house; Forcible confinement; Utter threats against a person; Mischief under $5000; Fail to comply with Probation and Fail to comply with a release order.
If you have any information that could assist investigators, don't hesitate to get in touch with MFNPS Opaskwayak Cree Nation Detachment at 204-623-8200 or MFNPS TIPS line anonymously at 1-833-978- 0048 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The MFNP TIPS line is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year, and monitored regularly.

Flight Corporal Macyn Umpherville of 303 The Pas Elks, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, descends down a 16-foot tower at Camp Saskadet, near Kelvington, SK., on August 13, 2023.
Umpherville joined other cadets from rural Saskatchewan for an 8-Day Cadet Activity Program. During this experience, the cadets participated in fun, safe, challenging,and well-organized activities in their local area such as hiking, canoeing, and abseiling. Abseiling is a recreational activity that involves descending down a vertical, or near vertical structure, such as a mountain, cliff or, as in this case, a man-made structure. using a rope in controlled conditions.

The Legion Ladies Auxiliary has generously donated $300 each to four local Girl Guides who have registered for the first interprovincial camp of their girl guide careers. The weeklong Crocus camp will be held in Dauphin and is an elective option for girls in Guides, Pathfinders, or Rangers.
The camp will assist the girls in developing leadership skills, fostering independence, gaining confidence, sharing in the sisterhood of guiding and learning an appreciation for the outdoors and respect for the environment.

The University College of the North (UCN) is proud to announce its reaffirmed commitment to Indigenous education. UCN joins Manitoba's six universities, threecolleges, and the Manitoba School Boards Association in re‐signing the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint (the Blueprint) on Friday, April 14.
In 2015, the partners signed the Blueprint, a partnership to advance ten commitments informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action. The Blueprint's primary goal is to prioritize Indigenous education in Manitoba and address barriers Indigenous students face to achieve equitable education.
"UCN's participation in the Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint exemplifies our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment that respects and celebrates Indigenous knowledge, culture, and values," said Doug Lauvstad, UCN President and Vice‐Chancellor.

The Manitoba government is recognizing Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) citizenship cards as a primary form of identification to purchase liquor, cannabis and gaming products in Manitoba, Premier Heather Stefanson announced.
“The Manitoba government is continuing to advance reconciliation and honour the vital contributions of the Red River Métis in shaping Manitoba’s history and culture,” said Stefanson. “These changes will remove barriers for Indigenous Peoples to access products and services such as those regulated by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA).”

The Manitoba government will once again offer free park entry for the entire month of February so Manitobans and visitors can take advantage of the many winter activities available in provincial parks, Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton announced.
“In Manitoba’s provincial parks, winter is a season worth celebrating,” said Wharton. “Our government is pleased to make it easier for Manitobans to participate in invigorating, enjoyable winter experiences surrounded by our province’s natural beauty.”

The Pas Fire Department responded to a late night structure fire over the weekend.

On Saturday at approximately 12:49 am the department received the report of the fire on Bignell Ave.

According to Duty Officer Matt Pecar, the structure was fully involved with the adjacent structure starting to catch fire. 

“Crews brought the fire under control,” Pecar noted. He added the first structure was a wooden shed was a loss while the second structure had extensive damage to the side and roof.

By now I’m sure we at the Opasquia Times have thrown some of our readers and people we interview for a real loop. Not since Bill Bannock’s column have we had so much confusion as to who is who in the newsroom. Many of you may have picked up on the difference in last names that appear at the end of the columns; rest assured, we haven’t made another Jennifer up.
There are two Jennifers now at the Opasquia Times. Jenn Cook remains the General Manager and Jennifer Laviolette is the new Editor. We just felt that two Jennifers are better than one.
Jennifer Laviolette will be working as our new editor remotely from her home in Grandview, Manitoba. She also writes for our sister papers, the Swan Valley Star and Times and the Roblin Review. Laviolette has 15 years experience working in the media in both the newspaper and radio industry.

Spring is in full swing – which means that allergy season has arrived in full force for many in Manitoba. Just like many other facets of our lives, the pandemic has had a long-term impact on allergies. Over-the-counter allergy medicine demand in Canada has grown by 14 per cent in the last two years, indicating that the pandemic's ongoing stress may be affecting allergies. While I can't take your stress away, as a pharmacist, I can help you get through allergy season by helping you manage your specific allergy symptoms.
The last two years have been difficult — one-quarter of Canadians report high levels of stress on most days, and almost half report that their stress levels are worse than before the pandemic. According to research, stress hormones can amplify the already excessive immune system response to allergens, resulting in more frequent and severe allergy flare-ups.