The Pas has been fortunate to have donors give back to the community on various different levels to keep projects going in the community. One donor in particular has given back tremendously over the years to a variety of different charities and notable projects that have greatly benefitted the lives of citizens in the tri-community area.
“I was born and raised in The Pas,” said Evans Premachuk. “In 1963, my wife, Mardene and I left Lynn Lake to move back to my home community to set up my law practice. Eventually we went into owning an apartment complex in The Pas after the pulp mill was built. This led to us slowly getting into some more real estate development.

The fisheries branch of Natural Resources and Northern Development released an update on Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) for Foot Print and Cedar Lake recently. They have detected the Spiny Waterflea from five samples taken from Foot Print Lake during the 2022 open water season. The sample was confirmed in the laboratory in late November.
A total of 25 Spiny Waterfleas were found in five out of seven samples from Foot Print Lake. This detection indicates there could be an established or reproducing population of Spiny Waterflea in the lake.

A joint partnership between the federal and provincial governments, and Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) will provide affordable housing in Winnipeg for Indigenous students, elders and young families. The project is estimated to cost around $17.4 million, with the federal government contributing $15.6 million, OCN spending $1.8 million and the Province committed $105,000 through Efficiency Manitoba.

The Town of The Pas Council met last week and has lots on the go, in terms of managing projects and operations for the community. Every week the Council makes a point of recognizing the efforts of organizations or events within the community for the work they do either on a certain project, event or situation.
“We wanted to throw out some recognition to our local RCMP and all the local members they brought in to help with an incident that resulted in loss of life. I’m sure it was a difficult situation with lots of long hours of work involved.

Businesses and entrepreneurs are often challenged with maintaining a successful business and putting for an expansion of some kind. Most who are successful in business, love what they do or have a real passion for it. Former Valley resident, successful photographer and body image activist Teri Hofford has spent quite a few years living her dream. Hofford had a bustling boudoir studio, awards and accolades from some well-known photography communities, speaking at engagements and workshops all around the world and creating work that challenged the status quo. Although it was all Hofford could dream of, inside she was feeling overwhelmingly exhausted,
alone, stressed and unable to ask for help. Her fear of resting led her to believe her business and accomplishments would fail or fall behind. This led to her exploring and challenging the beliefs set forth by the hustle culture, which
is very similar to the diet culture, that has deprived so many people’s bodies of what they needed the most.
This has opened up a new door for Hofford and it’s one she’s going through, without letting anything hold her back. “Over the last three to four years I’ve been building up the education side of my business to work with photographers and other creatives on how they can make their business more inclusive, that way there can be more progress,” said Hofford. “As one person I can only do so much, but I figured if I could teach people what I know, then the more impact we can have to make sure others understand they are worthy of being photographed and that we start seeing bodies of all types.
“In building that up, while running my photography business in 2018, I hit a bout of burnout and the worst depression I’d ever had. I’ve never experienced depression before that. It was going on a trip to Norway and not remembering anything about the trip that was the revelation moment that something needed to change.
“That’s when I went back to school for positive psychology and learned all about the mindset behind it,” said Hofford. “What I realized most was a lot of creative people create businesses they are passionate about and want
to make a change in the world, but they are also human and don’t recognize the toll it takes on themselves personally to do it.
“I started to shift my work to include mindset work because, ultimately, body image is mindset work as well. That’s where I’ve been heading for the last four years. This type of work that is done in the empowerment world is so
important, but the people who do this type of work are usually empaths.
They are givers and often don’t give to themselves. I want to make sure I can help others build sustainable business practices, even if it is not in photography, so they incorporate that into their model and not run the risk of burnout.” During the pandemic, Hofford faced a lot of similar pressures and anxieties many entrepreneurs had. Most were unable to continue their business or services the way they had normally done due to public health restrictions.
This led to Hofford challenging herself in new ways and as a result, she published a new book. “This book actually came out of the pandemic, because I wasn’t able to utilize my creativity or purpose to the extent I was used to,” said Hofford. “I couldn’t photograph clients as a part of my normal business, so I had to challenge myself with a task. I decided to go with taking a new self-portrait every day and also writing a personal post or story to go along with it.
“That’s when I really started to notice that one of my gifts was through my own honesty and humility, I was able to connect with people. I gravitate to following my intuition on things, such as what to post and when to do that. This became a self-practice to dig up some old stories and talk about how I’m working through them or how it relates to business creativity or body image.
By being able to condense it down, it made people feel more seen, heard and understood in their own mindset or what their brain was telling them. A lot of times, people felt they couldn’t open up and share those thoughts and
feelings with others. This led to people suggesting I put this into a book. “Essentially 2,200 Characters or Less is a compilation of 2,200 different posts I had on Instagram and the whole intent was to put out there all the things
that make us human, the parts of ourselves that we feel aren’t great or have shame about, how can we move through it,” said Hofford. “That’s the premise of this book.” Lived experience is becoming something that more people are connecting with when it comes to personal growth and recovery. There’s something about reading or listening to someone who has gone through something similar to what a person is experiencing, that has a positive and inspiring
effect. Hofford has been able to channel this energy to help those going through similar situations that she has encountered or is going through.
“Every time someone shares their story, it’s going to be easier for someone else to share theirs, which is why it was so important for me to put myself aside when I had these thoughts,” said Hofford.
“I know there are a lot of people who have stories they want to tell, but their fear gets in the way. The way I would get myself to share my writing, is to remind myself that my passion for helping has to override the fear of
whatever I’m feeling. “When I keep that in mind, that it’s not about me, it’s about the people that are going to read this, or the one other person in the world that this is going to greatly impact, the more honest it’s going
to be.
“Which is why we are seeing a lot of pushback from people who hate change,” said Hofford. “This is a little too dramatic or feelsy for them and it’s scary and contrasting to the way these people have always been. The more we do
this, eventually they will get on board or the movement will happen whether they like it or not. I focus more on who I am helping, not who is offended by what I’m sharing.” Looking back at 2022, letting go has been one of
the biggest achievements Hofford has been able to do. She felt that she was tied to all these titles and her studio in order to be successful. Once Hofford embraced that these things don’t define who she is or her work, she
was able to take her work to a new and higher level.
“This past year I feel that one of my biggest accomplishments has been being able to walk the talk, so to speak,” said Hofford. “I’ve always been a believer of one following their dreams, but I was holding on to having a studio and
being just a photographer. I had become so attached to all these identities that I created for myself and this past year, I proved that I don’t have to be attached to those. 
“I’m growing, changing and adapting, and that has been my guiding principle. I want to be a role model for those who want to try something new, but are afraid to or letting things hold them back. I had to detach myself from all
these things I thought Ihad to have to be relevant, valued and successful.” 
Hofford has set another goal for 2023 and is focusing on healing. “For this coming year, I would like to personally focus on healing,” said Hofford. “After putting myself in a state of chronic stress while I was building my photography
business, my body took a toll. Now I have to show more appreciation for my body through movement, rest, and nourishment. I also want to heal relationships that I didn’t keep up with while I was running my business and other
aspects of my business. Healing is going to be the theme for this coming year.
“I also hope to reach more than just photographers with my mindset and body image work. I want to expand to anyone that is ready to do the work in challenging their body image and mindset, which includes breaking down
biases and beliefs.”
Hofford’s new book, 2,200 Characters or Less is available to order online or through her website.

With the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) still at the forefront, there is a need now more than ever for Indigenous female role models and advocates to come forward to spark change. An Indigenous female advocate, from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (SCN), has been creating a movement through her actions that speak to the issues Indigenous women are facing today.
“I’m from SCN and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe,” said Chante Speidel. “I currently reside in Saskatoon, where I am studying at the University of Saskatchewan. I plan to graduate in Spring 2023 with my Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies. I currently work at the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority as a Human Resources Assistant.”
Speidel started as a youth entering Indigenous pageants as a means to advocate for MMIWG. With each pageant she entered, a new opportunity presented itself and she was able to further establish herself as an advocate and role model for Indigenous women and girls.
“In 2017, I was 15 years old vying for the title of Miss Manito Ahbee,” said Speidel. “This title is a youth ambassador role to advocate for MMIWG. Every four years the Manito Ahbee celebration selects a family that lost a loved one to this reality and honours them by sharing their story and allowing the youth ambassador to represent them.
“In April 2022, I was in the Miss Indian World Pageant in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This title is a chance for young Indigenous women from ages 18 to 25 to showcase themselves as a cultural ambassador. This pageant is showcased at the largest powwow in the world. I received Second Runner Up in the pageant.
“In October 2022, I ran for Miss He Sapa Win at the He Sapa Wacipi in Rapid City, South Dakota,” said Speidel. “This title is for women ages 18 to 25 to run as a cultural ambassador representing the Oceti Sakowin –Dakota, Nakoda and Lakota peoples also known as the Seven Council Fires. I received First Runner Up in this pageant.
“I ran for Miss Manito Ahbee because I had a passion for being an advocate, especially in regards to MMIWG. I ran for Miss Indian World and Miss He Sapa Win because of my passion to be a leader, advocate and demonstrate myself as an Indigenous role model. I always wanted to run, these roles are prestigious in Indigenous communities.
“I got involved because in Indigenous communities for young people there aren’t many leadership titles; more are coming along now, but I have always been interested in leadership and speaking,” said Speidel. “My parents are leaders and my Kunsi (grandma) is my hero. They all have been in many leadership roles and I guess from observation and travelling with them to speak, dance or sing, they have inspired me to do it too.”
Participating in the pageants has helped Speidel stay connected to the issues many young Indigenous people are facing. She has also built bonds with other contestants to create a very close network.
“In pageant I have learned about what other young people are doing and connected with the girls very closely to create a sisterhood,” said Speidel. “Now I have over 30 sisters all over Turtle Island creating change, being leaders and cultural ambassadors. It was an experience I will never forget. I have always aspired to be the women who held these titles in the past.
“There is something different about the uplifting feeling you get when you are surrounded by powerful Indigenous women, who are proud of who they are and move beautifully. I’m interested though in maybe doing something mainstream such as the Canada Globe Pageant or something.
“I have been speaking forever, but was confident in my voice when I was 15 and I started to speak more often,” said Speidel. “After holding the title of Miss Manito Ahbee, I travelled more often to conferences and events across Canada and the United States. After about three years of doing that I had to focus on school, so I slowed down, but also COVID-19 happened.
“I started to join youth councils and committees in Saskatoon and National boards. I was just eager to keep speaking and getting practice. Now I’m an Office of the Treaty Commissioner Speakers Bureau member, and use this service to get organizations and councils to book me for presentations. I got into speaking after holding the title to continue advocating. I just didn’t want to stop being an advocate, because my reign was over. I still feel that way, I have to keep speaking and doing the work to initiate change and make a mark. I always felt that was my duty on earth, to speak and lead.”
Recently Speidel was asked to be the keynote speaker for Cultural Conversation: The Legacy of Indigenous Womanhood and Culture, hosted by the Saskatchewan Health Authority. This was an excellent opportunity for Speidel to share her experiences and to get the message out to others.
“The presentation went great and I loved the questions I received and the energy I felt when I did it,” said Speidel. “I talked about my perspective of culture and womanhood, using a Lakota prophecy story, Pte San Win- White Buffalo Calf Woman and medicine wheels translated into Lakota. Talked about the resiliency and dynamic of Lakota culture and womanhood. I shared history and connected it to colonial issues that have impacted the traditional ways of doing things for all Indigenous people. I then got into the topic of MMIWG2+.
“I shared the story of Lorna Blacksmith, the young woman I represented while being Miss Manito Ahbee. I talked about the history and factors that lead to sexualization, racism and discrimination of Indigenous women, which also are factors to MMIWG and violence towards Indigenous women. Because I know it is important to stay hopeful, I shared Chris Scribe’s Framework to Change, an eight-step process to create change in the community. My last slide was dedicated to Indigenous women heroes and leaders.”
With the recent news of a serial killer in Winnipeg murdering four Indigenous women, it’s hard to not feel the pain. Speidel knows the threat towards Indigenous women is real and that the need for change, in terms of creating safe places for Indigenous women, is greater now than ever.
“Hearing this news hurts, but yet does not surprise me, for we are unfortunately used to this treatment,” said Speidel. “Everyday Indigenous women walk with targets on their backs in society. Walking to your car alone at night is scary. Even walking around the city in daylight is scary. You never know the situations and possibilities that could happen so a lot of us live in fear. We have extra safety measures and avoid doing certain things. It has impacted our choice of clothing or recreational activities, I can speak from experience I will not go anywhere without anything showing even if it is hot outside.
“This issue is real; we live in fear every day. When I log into Facebook, my timeline has at least five missing posters or a family members' post announcing their loved one has been murdered. That is the reality of being Indigenous today.
“In regards to this news, I feel that this shows that Indigenous people are in need of allies and support,” said Speidel. “They need to investigate these cases and murders like they are human beings. We deserve an investigation and attention from the media on this case. Every social system should have training on truth and reconciliation, and the calls to justice for MMIWG enforced for all employees. No more numbers and statistics; we are people. We are missed, we have people who love us, and we have people who mourn our death. It is time for this issue to be treated as such.”
Speidel hopes to continue her advocacy work once she has completed her education and through her business.
“My plans are to transform curriculum,” said Speidel. “I definitely want to work with curriculum developers to create accurate Indigenous content with my Indigenous studies degree. I also aspire to expand my business, Techa Oaye, to support Indigenous youth in becoming leaders through hosting conferences and events to cater to mentorship for Indigenous youth. I also plan to use the business to go into Indigenous communities to develop language plans and strategies to bring back our languages for Indigenous youth.”

A petition has popped up on Change.org calling out Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute (MBCI) for creating a strict rule about students not being allowed to have backpacks and jackets in class and that those items must be kept in students’ lockers.
Within the petition that was sent to MBCI Principal Trevor Lane, a student had made comments about the unfairness of not allowing students to have their backpacks or jackets with them in class. Issues of carrying all the books needed was brought up and the inconvenience of having a locker located on the other side of the school from the classroom a student may be in, was another. The petition goes so far to say that if things are not changed, there will be a peaceful protest.
What seems to be forgotten in all of this is the actual reasoning behind it and the fact that this is not a new rule.
“There has been a lot of misunderstanding and inaccuracy surrounding the policy that MBCI has around not allowing backpacks or jackets in class,” said MBCI Principal Trevor Lane. “I will accept responsibility for not incorporating this policy back in to action when school started in September. This would have been brought up back then during the orientation meetings with students. I also should have gone around to each classroom and explained why this had to go back to the way it was before.

There’s nothing like a good scam to catch people off guard and ruin the holiday season. For some reason, there never seems to be a shortage of scams going around, but this latest one is more deceptive than the average run-of-the-mill ones.
If you’re thinking about giving a gift card this holiday season, you need to be aware of the latest gift card scam that is hitting Canadian retailers all over. Retailers who have racks of gift cards to different department stores, restaurants, and online gaming platforms seem to be the hot spot for this scam. Scammers have been tampering with these gift cards by placing a sticker that has a fake barcode on it over top the original.