Development in Dauphin got a $350,000 boost over the weekend, thanks to the Province’s From the Ground Up - Safe Healthy Communities for All program.

The four community projects supported included Dauphin Recreation Services arena upgrades with $100,000, enhancement to the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum to the tune of $100,000, youth programming through Anishinaabe Agowidiiwinan Secretariat valued at $100,000, and career education programming for youth through Career, which received $50,000.

“These investments are a meaningful boost for our community and reflect the strength of our local partnerships,” Mayor David Bosiak said.

“From supporting seniors and enhancing recreation facilities to creating positive opportunities for youth, these projects directly contribute to a healthier, more inclusive Dauphin. We are grateful to the Manitoba government for recognizing the value of investing in community-driven initiatives that make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard announced the grants, Saturday.

“Our government is proud to partner with communities like Dauphin to strengthen the places where people come together, stay active and feel supported,” Simard said.

“These investments reflect what we hear from local leaders every day, that when we create safe, welcoming spaces for seniors, youth and families, the whole community thrives. From recreation upgrades to cultural spaces and youth programming, these projects will make a real difference for Dauphin residents for years to come.”

In 2025-26, From the Ground Up - Safe Healthy Communities is investing more than $12 million to support more than 200 community development projects across Manitoba.

The program’s approved grants will fund renovations at local legions and community spaces, as well as programs that help keep young people away from gangs and crime, improve public parks and support seniors looking to stay active.

“I’m proud to see these investments supporting the people and organizations that make our community vibrant and resilient,” Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn, member of the legislative assembly for Dauphin, said.

“Whether it’s creating opportunities for young people, strengthening cultural spaces or improving recreational facilities, these projects reflect the priorities we hear from residents every day. Our government is committed to building safe, healthy communities across Manitoba, and I’m pleased to see Dauphin benefiting from this important program.”

A new food store has opened up in The Pas and it’s providing a flavour and taste unique to most of northern Manitoba and even Canada. Graceland International Foods is bringing the authentic taste of Africa to the table. For many newcomers, it can be hard to find the foods they enjoyed in their home country, and Graceland International Foods is one way for people to do so and for other locals to broaden their taste buds.
“I’m originally from Nigeria, and I carry the values of hard work and hospitality that I grew up with,” said Graceland International Foods Owner and Operator Evelyn Okpe. “My family is my biggest support system; they are the reason I felt empowered to take this leap.

At long last, the SVRSS Cultural Arts Centre is officially open for use, with the grand opening being celebrated on Saturday (Jan. 24).
Among those in attendance were Swan Valley School Division staff and students, alongside council and band members of Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation (WSFN) and Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (SCN), municipal leaders, and provincial government representatives.
Keynote speakers for the grand opening included Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy, WSFN Chief Elwood Zastre, and SCN Chief Nelson Genaille, as well as guest speaker Caroline Quill, an elder from SCN who played an important part in the design of the facility.
Other dignitaries who were in attendance were Manitoba Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations Glen Simard, Swan River MLA Rick Wowchuk, Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko, and Northwest Metis Council Minister Peter Fleming.
SVSD Board Chair Gary Wowchuk took the audience on a journey through the historical timeline of the project, beginning from the days of the Glacial Lake Agassiz and the evidence of Indigenous peoples living on the shores of Lake Agassiz in what would now be the Swan Valley, all the way through the days when Treaty 4 was signed and how the culture of the Indigenous people of Manitoba informed the design elements of the space, and made room for traditional ceremonial practices that were otherwise lacking on the campus of the SVRSS.
The day started by making use of the new facility for that ceremony, with Firekeepers doing their best to keep a fire going outside in the fire circle on a morning that may likely be the coldest morning of the year. A pipe ceremony was also performed inside the space behind the main formal stage, a space that incorporates significant symbolism of Indigenous culture.
In his message, Kinew acknowledged the bus crash that stunned the community of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, the Swan Valley, and the entire province, which happened just over one week prior. Kinew had visited the three students that were sent to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
“We’re definitely going to be praying for these communities and for the broader community in the region,” he said. “We should also be grateful for resilient young people all across Manitoba.
“Let’s keep providing a good education and investing in wonderful facilities like this, and let’s build up this Province of Manitoba even more into the place we’re so proud of today, so our children and grandchildren can inherit a place that they’re proud of in the future.”
Following the program, the Cultural Arts Centre was open to the general public so anyone could come and view the much anticipated end product.
The $16.6 million investment into the project brought a 4,200 square foot cultural arts centre featuring a large auditorium with a raised stage, a 2,100 square foot multi-purpose room and an outdoor teaching area located adjacent to the cultural arts centre.
The space was developed in consultation with Indigenous community leaders to incorporate Indigenous learning and cultural practices. The cultural arts centre will celebrate Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, traditional values and worldviews, and will feature programming that incorporates oral traditions and storytelling, land stewardship and resource management presentations, medicine wheel teachings and smudging. Programming will also include jigging, drumming, powwows and hand drum singing.
“As mayor, I’m proud to see this investment in Swan River Valley that strengthens both education and community,” said Town of Swan River Mayor Lance Jacobson in a follow-up press release. “These new spaces will not only enrich student learning but also provide opportunities for cultural expression and collaboration that benefit the entire region.”

Local snow sculptor Derryl May continued his work on his latest front-yard piece on a frigid Saturday afternoon (Jan. 24). In about a week’s time, he expects the final piece to be revealed.

Darryl Fuz and Dave Maglahus Co-General Managers of the Paterson Grain Terminal in Binscarth presented a cheque for $10,000.00 to the Russell Health Centre.
Stacy Falkevitch - Charge RN - accepted this generous donation.
The donation is from the Paterson Family Foundation; the funds are to be utilized towards emergency care and services provided by the Russell Health Centre.
Annually for six yearsthe Paterson Family Foundation has donated $10,000.00 to the Health Centre.
This year’s donation will be used to purchase furniture for the Spiritual Care Room at the Russell Health Centre. This room will give families a private and comfortable place to gather in emergency situations and receive spiritual care if they choose. It will also be used for patients that need to see specialists using virtual technology.
All donations made to the Russell Health Centre are used to enhance the services, care and comfort of the patients and clients that access the Health Centre and the Paterson Family Foundation donations have been appreciated greatly.

By Ed Doering
The Roblin Review
Russell clinical psychologist Dr. Amy Wendell has made a major investment in her practice to continue to help as many people as she can.
Wendell, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, established Parkland Psychology and Wellness in offices in the Smellie Block in 2019 offering counselling services with a special emphasis on adults dealing with trauma.
She also supervised students – who were also available to provide counselling – working on their Master’s degrees.
In 2025, she began expanding her practice with the addition of four wellness practitioners.
That fall, with her lease coming up for renewal, a house just down the street that she’d been “called to for a long time” came up for sale – the historic “Storey (Elliott) House” located just up the street at 219 Westbourne.
She had always envisioned having her practice “in a home” as opposed to a commercial space and made an offer as soon as she could.

Want to know more? See page 2 in this week's Russell Banner.

“I like to see what Archery does to a child - they come out of their shell. I see them gain confidence. They meet new people and develop new friendships - especially if they attend local archery shoots outside of Asessippi. The focus that is needed for archery really helps - it is stress releasing.”
- Roseann Yaremchuk

Daryll Stelmach, Neil Caldwell and Tim and Roseann Yaremchuk from Rossburn have been bow hunters for decades.
Around 2008, they were looking for a way to continue to shoot more in the off season so they started looking into forming a club that would allow exactly that.
“We talked about forming a club, and when Tim wants to accomplish something, he does,” Stelmach said.
“He made contact with ABAM (Archers and Bow Hunters Association of Manitoba) now known as Archery Manitoba.
Tim and Roseann then did up all the necessary paperwork, found grants, acquired targets, netting, and other equipment needed. The senior gym at Major Pratt was secured and weekly shooting started.
“At first, it was a dozen or so adults shooting,” Stelmach said. “And that’s changed over the years to the point that we now have a consistent membership of members from six year of age and up.”

Get the whole front page story in this week's Russell Banner.

Widely regarded as the perfect bridge between the past and the future, the freshly renovated Dauphin Courthouse was celebrated during a special ceremony, last week.

While the facility has been open and operating for several months, Manitoba Justice officials, local dignitaries and members of the community gathered in the building’s lobby for an offical grand opening, Jan. 15.

“What an incredible opportunity it is to be here today to open this amazing facility, Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said,

“This is a beautiful space and one that I’ve had a chance to watch throughout the different iterations, seeing the old jail, seeing the old courthouse and seeing where it was going. Now to be here in person, what an incredible journey.”

Having heard what the facility means to the community, Wiebe added the renovations reflect the Manitoba government’s commitment to the community and to the region as a whole, through a modern, safe, accessible and technologically advanced facility

“It includes expanded courtrooms, expanded administrative space, the enhanced security features which folks know about, the upgraded video conferencing technology, which supports remote hearings,” Wiebe said, adding one of his department’s guiding strategies is ensuring access to justice is fully supported.

“All of these pieces are so important to delivering that kind of access to justice that Manitobans expect. Improvements ensure that the courthouse meets the needs of all Manitobans, whether they’re seeking justice, whether they’re providing legal support in the courtroom, or whether they’re working at any level within our system.”

The facility, he added, is also a symbol of the government’s commitment to walking the path of reconciliation, highlighted by an Eagle Feather Renewal Ceremony prior to the formal agenda led by Michael Pierre, Manitoba Justice’s executive director of Indigenous Services.

Eagle feathers were introduced into Manitoba courtrooms in 2019 as an option for Indigenous people swearing their oath prior to giving their testimony, rather than affirming of swearing on a bible.

For the full story, read this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.

Manitoba Hydro recently announced its new chairperson for Manitoba Hydro and it’s a familiar face to the tri-community area. Jamie Wilson was recently announced for the role before the end of the year. Wilson has an accomplished background when it comes to creating movement and change in various sectors.
“I’m from Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) in Treaty 5 territory and passionate about building bridges between First Nations and business communities, as a pathway to a strong and prosperous economic future for all,” said Wilson. “With a background as a Deputy Minister, educator, a member of the US Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment and as Manitoba's Treaty Commissioner, I work with innovative organizations looking to tap into Canada’s hidden potential.
“I think my greatest leadership strengths are as a facilitator and relationship builder, where I have been told my calm and thoughtful demeanour enables me to navigate complex and often highly charged situations to positive and successful outcomes. I am currently the Vice President of Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development with Red River College Polytechnic in Treaty 1 territory.

The community of Benito has had an excellent start to the new year. While most small town rural municipalities are struggling with infrastructure, dwindling population, services and businesses, Benito seems to be an inspiration.
Earlier this month, the Municipality of Swan Valley West (MSVW) announced it would be reopening the municipal office in Benito. This would allow ratepayers in Benito to pay their water and tax bills, as well as have an in-town point of contact for anything municipal-related.
“This has been on our radar for three years now,” said MSVW Reeve Bill Gade. “After the election, we talked about it and it was put on a list of things we wanted to see happen, but we weren’t sure how. We didn’t want to just open an office for the sake of opening one; we wanted it to be open for a reason. It’s easy enough to hire someone to sit there, but what do they do all day? There had to be more to it.
“We came up with some more work for that person to do, besides the municipal stuff. Water bill and tax payments, building permits and all the other municipal office-related stuff that were in place years ago will come back to Benito. The staff at the Benito office will also spend their time providing support to various committees in the Valley.
“The Swan Valley Planning District has no one to do the administrative work, so this person will be making the minutes and agendas for meetings, doing the bank deposits, checking the mail and paying the bills,” said Gade. “This kind of work will get farmed out to the Benito office to do, as well as assisting residents.
“The time that the administrative staff spends on committee work will be paid by all four municipalities, instead of just Swan Valley West. This means that the whole Valley is supported and I think that is a great thing. It’s easy to spend tax dollars and get nothing, so we want to make sure this isn’t a waste.
“For some people, it doesn’t matter, but for a lot of people in Benito, especially the elderly, they want to pay their bills in person and speak to someone,” said Gade. “We are hearing that people are excited for the return of the municipal office in Benito. Many have expressed that it’s nice not to have to drive to pay a water bill or mail in a cheque.
“The Benito office will be open three days a week. We will start from there and see how it goes. I think this is a doable thing. The hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and it will be closed over the lunch hour. The person hired is currently undergoing training and we are estimating that the municipal office in Benito will be opened by the end of the month.”
Like other municipalities, Swan Valley West has been battling with aging infrastructure and the rising cost of replacing and maintaining it. Every municipality in Manitoba struggles with utilities, whether is managing or replacing them. All municipalities have been dealing with reading water meters and finding economical ways to collect that data and bill it out to users. The majority of municipalities in the province use Neptune to provide automated meter readings, but the cost of that has also significantly increased, but Gade has found an alternative method.
In the past, Benito, like other municipalities, paid once for the setup of the Neptune Water Meters, and was able to read the meters with no extra cost
“The current system we use to read water meters is not a bad one; it can do a lot of things,” said Gade. “Going back in time, municipalities bought a handheld device that they would use to read water meters and there were no fees or subscriptions bought to use it. A few years ago, there was an upgrade offered and Swan Valley West was hesitant at first. We felt that what we had was working fine and didn’t see the need to spend $8,000 to upgrade.
“Over time, the company was more adamant that we needed to upgrade and that if we didn’t do the upgrade, they would not help us if something went wrong. It was a matter of doing the upgrade or else. We agreed to pay $8,000 for the upgrade, with the hopes that we would get 20 years use out of it.
“The money was paid and we received a paid invoice that stated an expiry date on the subscription,” said Gade. “When we called for clarification to ask why there was an expiry date for a year from now, we were told that it was a yearly fee. Swan Valley West was not told it was an $8,000 yearly fee for this upgrade, so every year we would be paying that amount. The municipality tried to cancel it and the company would not do that. We didn’t want a subscription, so we told the company the moment it expires that our municipality wanted out of it.
“We were told that we would be the only municipality in Canada to cancel this contract because there was no way to read the water meters without this subscription. We just felt there was a more cost-effective method for this. Now the subscription does some wonderful things, such as reporting the water meter reading every three minutes. This would allow one to look at how much water is being used. It would let people know if there was a small leak detected through the water usage, which is pretty cool, but not worth $8,000 a year.”
This led to Gade relying on his background of tinkering with radio frequencies and finding a more affordable and accurate solution.
“We did our own experimenting and found out that for $63, we made our own device that read the water meter readings,” said Gade. “I used an antenna from a software-defined radio and programmed it to read the Neptune meters and have the reading ready for import into Munisoft.
“The way it works is that the Neptune meters have a battery in them that is good for 20 to 30 years, and it transmits a reading, with a serial number, and indicates if there is a leak happening. It always sends that information out through radio frequency. So if you have the equipment to pick that up and are within 1,000 to 2,000 feet of the water meter, you can receive that information.
“We connected this all to a laptop, and the higher I put up that antenna when driving around, the further it will pick up a reading,” said Gade. “I drove around and every time it picked up a water meter reading, it would beep. We were able to come up with a list ahead of time of the places that had water meters, so it would also show me which ones were not read. I would then drive closer to that location and wait to pick up the reading.
“We are getting a 100 percent read rate on the device we built, whereas with the other one, we weren’t getting more than 90 percent read rate with Neptune. Also, with the Neptune system, it was suggested to put their device on and have someone walk every street in town to get a reading. That would take a couple of hours. With this new device we created, we put it in the vehicle and drove around, and it took almost 40 minutes to read the entire town.
“Also, with the Neptune system, you have to tell it everyone’s water meter serial number, otherwise it ignores it,” said Gade. “So if there is a mistake in a meter serial number, it won’t pick it up, but this new one will.
“There is a new radio tower up in Benito and this summer, we are hoping to find a way to use it to report any water leaks. That is phase two. Right now, we just wanted to find a cost-effective way to read the water meters and we have done that.”
This innovative discovery has also caught the attention of other municipalities struggling with the same issue.
“We have had other municipalities reach out to us to borrow our laptop to try it,” said Gade. “There are other companies out there making water meters and systems to read them that are more in the $200 to $300 range, so we will look into those options as well. For now, we will continue use Neptune meters until they die out.”
Benito also caught a media slurry of attention with its proposal to sell the old M & M Café building $1.
“It was a nice restaurant and the problem was the CRA got involved,” said Gade. “Once they put a lien on it, it was pretty hard for anyone to fix that, except for municipalities. Municipalities have the ability to get rid of those leans, which is what we did. This all took some time and over that time span, there was a bit of damage that happened to the building.
“We could have fixed up the damage and tried to lease it to someone, or we could tear it down. Council didn’t want to put money into the building and no one uses it, but the other option of tearing it down would cost around $50,000.
“I asked council if they would allow me to see if I could try something different,” said Gade. “I asked if we could try selling it for $1, rather than the other two options, which would cost us money. Personally, I felt this could be done and I didn’t want to tear down another building in Benito. Council agreed to try it.
“We had to market this concept of selling this building for a dollar and in order to do that, we had to get the Winnipeg media interested. We had almost every major media outlet in Winnipeg publish a story about Benito selling a building for $1. In the promotion of these stories, it was talked about how Benito had a new splash park and new businesses starting up and the potential development of new lots. In each story that was run, it talked about Benito being a nice place to live.
“When I look at the coverage we got from that, we got about $100,000 worth of free advertising from that for Benito,” said Gade. “Plus, we got applications from several places to purchase that old restaurant building for $1. Some were from Winnipeg and all over, and we even had a few come and look at it.
“We had Stuart Matheson from The Pas, come and check it out. He had this idea to do a cricket farm with a pet supply and food store. It would be one equivalent full-time job to run this place. In the end, we have a new business being established, created a full-time job in the community, sold the building for $1 and it will generate revenue and tax revenue for the municipality. This was a win-win-win situation.
“Now we have the media doing follow-up stories on this transaction and saying what a wonderful place Benito is,” said Gade. “I can’t imagine what the cost would have been to put that kind of advertising out there.”