The Parkway Co-op held its annual general meeting via Zoom – and at under a half an hour in length it zoomed right along – Wednesday, with 14 people participating on line. The co-op had another good year, realizing record sales of $61 million and achieving $22 million in member equity.
The Parkway also paid off its loan to build the Roblin Food Store, more than four years ahead of schedule.

When it comes to Indigenous arts and handiwork, local Métis Elder Yvette Bouvier has spent a good portion of her life dedicated to her passion for it.

There weren’t a lot of resources available to learn from when she began so Bouvier developed techniques on her own.

A Roblin teacher has been honoured by Volleyball Manitoba with the 2002 Mary Jean England Development Coach of the Year award.

Josh Braaksma, who teaches at Goose Lake High and coaches several sports, was recognized for taking the 14U Predators club volleyball team to a silver medal at the provincial championships.

The Manitoba government has approved Manitoba’s first potash development, allowing the Potash and Agri-Development Corporation of Manitoba (PADCOM) to start extraction and production near Russell.

The announcement was made June 14 by Premier Heather Stefanson at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto.

Emotions were running high as the members of the Grade 10 Indigenous Studies class at Goose Lake High held the official opening Friday morning of their Reconcilation Park.

Members of the class and their teacher Brenda Neuhofer were joined by First Nation and Métis Elders; their fellow students and teachers; representatives of the San Clara/Boggy Creek and Roblin Manitoba Métis Federation locals, the Municipality of Roblin, and Mountain View School Division (MVSD); and members of the general public who came out to celebrate the occasion.

Rozzy and her mom Allexia were just one of the many vendors out at the Russell and Area farmers market.  They’re a summer thing were there’s vendors like Allexia’s new Lii Zoong business selling everything from soaps and bird seed wreaths to farm wives selling breads, jam and jellies and gardeners selling fresh vegetables and herbs. They’re in the courtyard beside the library right on Russell’s Main Street every Friday between 11 am to 2 pm.                                                                            

 - photo by Terrie Welwood

There’s a future leader in the making who is originally from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (SCN). Zoe Quill is currently studying at the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Science and she’s recently been awarded the 2022 Indigenous Award of Excellence for Student Outstanding Achievement through the university. Her academic pursuits in the field of science are opening doors to a promising future for her.
“I was awarded the BMO Financial Group Indigenous Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship to study at the University of Manitoba in 2018,” said Quill. “I entered directly into the Faculty of Science with interest in pursuing Genetics. Throughout high school, I was always interested in the sciences and wanted to explore these fields more in-depth at university.”
Quill has been contributing to researching internships, which has allowed her to combine her science background and work with Indigenous communities. This has allowed her to start her own journey as an Indigenous leader in the realm of science.
“While pursuing my degree, I have had the pleasure of participating in four research internships,” said Quill. “For two of these internships, I was given an opportunity to combine my knowledge of the sciences and work closely with Indigenous communities. I have come to witness the resilience of Indigenous peoples and their ambition in becoming self-determined in research.
“It was inspiring to my own journey to be able to collaborate with leaders of the community and take part in supporting their success. Indigenous representation is growing among the science community, and I hope to always empower Indigenous scholars and communities through research.”
Quill recognizes the challenges that many Indigenous students face while attending any schooling. She is focused on harbouring and fostering nurturing environments for other Indigenous students by being a leader and mentor to them.
“I recognize that there are barriers that Indigenous students still face and gaps in the supports that are available,” said Quill. “As an Indigenous student, it was important to me to create a positive and supportive environment.
“I achieved these efforts through community involvement. I became a mentor to first-year Indigenous students to provide guidance in facilitating a smooth transition into university life and participated in question and answer sessions as an UN Ambassador, sharing personal experiences to prospective students. I also became the Indigenous Students’ Representative for the Science Students’ Association to advocate and uplift Indigenous student excellence in the Faculty of Science. In this position, I have hosted culturally informed events for Indigenous students as a way to support their well-being.
Quill is persevering in the field of Science and has plans to attend graduate school. She has been determined and dedicated in her research, and gaining experiences that will help her to pursue that goal of obtaining a MD or PhD.
“I’m pursuing a Bachelor of Science, Genetics Major,” said Quill. “I have only one more year to go. Since I’m planning on attending graduate school, I sought opportunities to conduct research at both Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the National Microbiology Laboratory of Canada. These experiences will give me the opportunity to explore my interests in Public Health.
“So far, I have gathered four years of research experience in various fields. I have published two peer-review papers and am currently working on publishing three more by the time I graduate.
“I have always had the goal of becoming a doctor and recently, research has become a passion of mine,” said Quill. “After graduation, I’m planning to pursue a Master of Science in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases that combines aspects of Public Health. Then, I will pursue either a MD or PhD. In research, I hope to always incorporate collaboration with Indigenous communities.”
With National Indigenous Peoples Day happening, Quill has been advocating to see more positive changes for Indigenous people. She feels her experience can be an example for others to overcome any obstacles they may face and be leaders for Indigenous people.
“As an Indigenous student heavily involved on campus and in research,” said Quill. “I have had the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who are driven, resilient, and aspire to create changes that advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples. To be part of a community that seeks to empower the next generation of Indigenous leaders, I am always motivated to contribute to these efforts.
“There is evidence that despite the hardships we have endured, we have the power to not only overcome these obstacles but to thrive as a community. I believe National Indigenous Peoples Day promotes a positive message describing this very strength every Indigenous person carries within them.”
Quill realizes that the process has been slow when it comes to the reconciliation portion for Indigenous people in Canada, but she focuses on the Indigenous people who are achieving reconciliation and pushing forward for a better and brighter future.
“I recognize that we still have a long way to go in fulfilling the 94 Calls to Action, but action is happening,” said Quill. “There are many Indigenous leaders in the community whom I met that are breaking barriers in their fields and contributing to the efforts of reconciliation.
“I have had my fair share of hardships experiencing discrimination, but I am motivated to continue to uplift Indigenous voices and support our movements of self-determination.“

The Swan Valley Student-led Genders and Sexuality Alliance Group (SVSGSA) hosted the Valley’s first-ever Pride event last Saturday and it was an overwhelming success...

Dauphin Kings goalie Carson Cherepak is taking his game to the next level after announcing his committment to play NCAA Division 1 hockey at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY, next season.

The Winnipeg native enjoyed an outstanding year in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, posting a 2.21 GAA and .921 save percentage while compiling a 30-7-0 record with the Kings.

Cherepak was named a first team all-star and received the Ed Belfour Award as the MJHL’s top goaltender. In the postseason, Cherepak was named playoff MVP after helping Dauphin win the Turnbull Trophy.

His stellar play continued at the Centennial Cup in Estevan, Sask., where he was named Top Goaltender and MVP of the national championship.

RPI plays in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).

In other Kings news, forward Jeriah Shantz was dealt to the Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in exchange for defenceman Anthony Bax.

Shantz scored five goals and 16 points in 49 games with Dauphin last season. The Fergus, Ont., native added two goals and five points in 15 playoff contests, helping the Kings win the Turnbull Trophy.

Bax, who stands six-feet, and weighs in at 192 pounds, had one goal and five points in 26 games with the Blues last season. He added one assist in 11 games with the Connecticut Jr. Rangers of the National Collegiate Development Conference.

The Parkhill, Ont., native turns 19 in November.

Collingwood also receives future considerations in the deal.

Above, Aiden Wojciechowski (6) of the Dauphin McMunn and Yates U13 baseball team gets into a run down against the Roblin Stars in the AA provincial qualifier at the U13 regionals in Dauphin, Sunday morning.

Roblin scored a 20-6 win to qualify for U13 provincials in Morden, July 15 to 17.

Below, Bohdi Bloomer of McMunn and Yates slides safely into home before Dauphin Reit-Syd Equipment’s Cameron Carefoot can make the tag in the A provincial qualifier, Sunday afternoon.

McMunn and Yates won the game, 20-19, to qualify for A provincials, July 8 to 10 in Winkler.