The University College of the North, in partnership with The Pas Guest List, will display former astronaut, Dr. Roberta Bondar’s travelling exhibit, “Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive”.
Bondar’s exhibition is made up of selected high-resolution images from the project, Space for Birds. By integrating three perspectives of migratory bird corridors—space, aerial and surface—this global, emotional story encourages ethical protection of fragile, endangered, and threatened avian species and the habitats they need to survive.
The public is invited to the exhibit's grand opening and in-person presentation from Dr. Roberta Bondar on November 27, 2025, at 6 p.m. at The Pas Campus. It will remain on display and open to the public until March 14, 2025.

A new movement created to help children who are removed from their homes due to crisis circumstances such as abuse, neglect and other factors, has established a chapter in the Valley. Bags of Love is a charitable organization that provides the Department of Family Services with bags filled with items a child would benefit from having when being transitioned to a new living arrangement.
The Canadian Program was started in Alberta in 2009 and is making its way across Canada, and now here in the Valley.
“We recognize that certain children, upon being displaced from their normal or perhaps abnormal home life due to domestic violence and or drug or alcohol abuse, are left with nothing, not even their favourite toy or blanket,” said Bags of Love Volunteer Linda McCullough. “It is our intent that working through the Department of Families, to provide to each of these children, from newborn to age 17, a Bag of Love with age and gender appropriate items for their care and their enjoyment that they can truly call their very own.
“We believe that this small token of love and affection will go far toward helping these children adjust to a foster or adoptive home, whether temporary or permanent. We pray that these children will long cherish their Bag of Love and endeavour to remember other children who might be subjected to the same plight in their growing years.
“When given their very own Bag of Love, it can give them a sense of security, comfort and care to support their emotional and physical wellbeing,” said McCullough.
“While attending a Women’s Retreat in May of this year, Pauline Rogers from North Battleford, SK, spoke on this project that has been moving across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We were impressed to start a chapter in Swan River, as we believe there is a need in our community and we want to make a difference in a child’s life.
“We officially became a chapter in September and have delivered eight Bags of Love to the Department of Families,” said McCullough. “We plan on delivering more in the near future.”
Items that are new or gently used can be donated to go into the Bags of Love.
“Items suitable for donation could be a handmade quilt/blanket, stuffed toys, dolls, new toys and games or clean and like new condition, school supplies, books, coloring books, journals for older children, flashlights, nightlights, hygiene products such as shampoo, body wash or bar soap, deodorant, sanitary napkins, dental hygiene products, combs/brushes, hair accessories, Kleenex, socks etc.,” said McCullough. “Also, baby items such as diapers, bottles, pacifiers, baby shampoo, lotion, powder, blankets, knitted hats, toys, stuffies, etc.”
The Swan River chapter for Bags of Love is also looking for volunteers to either help put the bags together or to make handmade items to go into them. 
“It takes a village to raise a child, and it also takes a community to make a project for children work,” said McCullough. “It relies on volunteers of all ages and walks of life to meet the needs of displaced children by donating the above items as mentioned.
“If you sew or knit, we can use homemade quilts, baby blankets, bibs, pencil cases or makeup bags, hats, mittens and scarves. Please contact me or Donna Leming.
“We are a nonprofit organization and will be operating through the Swan River Seventh-day Adventist Church. If someone wishes to make a monetary donation, please make cheques payable to the Swan River Seventh-day Adventist Church and mark ‘Bags of Love’ and a receipt will be issued. Please contact me at 204-281-0483 or Donna Leming at 204-731-4553 if you have any questions or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”

The children of Rhonda’s Home Daycare went forth around Swan River for a little early daytime trick-or-treating on Halloween (Oct. 31), with an assortment of animals and Pokèmon taking advantage of some early bird picks of the candy baskets.

Thanks to the hard work and organization of Russell Legion Branch president Al Marshall, the Veterans Banner program has returned.
As an extension of the programs of the last two years, the number of banners have grown substantially over last year where families of veterans in Russell had started with 19 banners along with 21 banners gracing the streets of Binscarth. This year, there have been 15 more banners added in Binscarth and a further 25 banners in Russell, meaning that streets like Alexandria are now being utilized.

To find out more, pick up a November 4th, 2025 edition of the Russell Banner.

On October 15, 2025, at approximately 2 a.m., Manitoba First Nations Police Service officers in Opaskwayak Cree Nation attempted a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed into The Pas and eventually became stuck in snow. Along with the assistance of The Pas RCMP, seven adult occupants were taken into custody.
Investigation led to the discovery of a high-capacity magazine (prohibited device), ammunition, blunt weapons, and suspected cocaine.

The tri-community has a small dedicated niche of runners and joggers who strive to go the distance when it comes to running. It’s not only a daily form of exercise for them, but can also lead to competitive challenges and marathons.
Recently, Lia and Patti Marin travelled to Toronto to participate in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
Both Lia and Patti first developed their love of running during their final year of high school.
“I was active in sports growing up, but when I was in grade 12, I decided to join track and field,” said Lia.

Local artist and metal sculptor Dan Jones recently displayed his artwork during Culture Days at an event held at Opasquia Trails. Visitors got to see his detailed and intricate artwork up close and personal. For Jones, his work has been something he stumbled upon and has felt a deep connection to from the beginning.
“My original background is in automotive, so I am mechanically inclined,” said Jones. “Anyone who works in this field dabbles in a bit of welding for exhaust systems and other stuff. I was a bit familiar with welding already, even though I never took any official training on it. I already owned a welder.

Even when the local public library isn’t open, a new book to read might just be a walk down the street away.
The Swan Valley is currently home to a few Little Free Libraries (LFL) – two in Swan River (First Street North and Duncan Crescent) and one in Kenville being some examples.
LFLs are outdoor (and sometimes indoor) libraries that are free for anyone to use – take a book, leave a book, welcome for anyone to borrow or keep what’s inside.
“If you love reading, it’s a chance to see what others are reading, and to encouter random books from the neighbourhood,” said Kendra Thiessen, who has a LFL set up in her front yard on Duncan Crescent.”
While LFLs are conceptually connected – and the website littlefreelibrary.org providing plenty of resources – each library is up to individuals what kinds of books or other materials they wish to stock inside, and what each LFL looks like. In Thiessen’s case, her expectation is that her library remain child and teen friendly, rearranging the revolving collection so the child-friendly books are on the bottom shelf. Thiessen also decorated her LFL with a Dr. Seuss theme, highlighting the intention of a family-friendly space.
Naturally, of course, with every LFL, parent discretion is needed for children using an LFL, because of the double-edged sword of a free-to-use, free-to-access common good.
“I think it’s a good idea to be aware of the books that are going in and out of your library, so I try to check up on it every so often,” said Thiessen. “I haven’t had to remove any so far, but I really want my library to be child friendly, so I’m keeping an eye on it.”
Thiessen also has a guestbook in her’s as well, and has taken joy in hearing people’s comments and book suggestions.
“Sometimes I’ve been surprised at how many people have visited the library when I haven’t noticed,” she said. “The response has been very positive.
“If you love reading, and have spare books laying around like I do, this is a great chance to do something fun for our community. All you need is a little library. There are plenty of ideas online of how to make them yourself. For me, I’m not a very handy person, so my parents made it for me. My dad loves making little projects such as this, and I’m sure he’d be willing to be hired to make others – he also made the one my sister-in-law’s LFL in Kenville. And, my mom is a great painter and she painted mine and my sister-in-law’s.”
Of course, Thiessen loves the local North-West Regional Library, and believes there is plenty of space for a full-featured public library as well as multiple LFLs.
“Our librarians are so friendly and helpful and we have a great selection there,” said Thiessen. “I think the difference of having a LFL is you don’t have to return them if you don’t want to, and it’s along the road so it can be a very quick stop.
“The public library also has has hundreds of times more books than any of the LFLs, so you don’t go to a roadside library for your favourite author or a new release, but instead you go to it to be surprised and maybe discover a book you’ve never heard of before.
“Swan River is a beautiful town, with so many wonderful people here, and something I’m passionate about is community spirit,” Thiessen continued. “I want our town to be known for positive things, and I believe that comes from people creating the kind of culture that we want to have here. We shouldn’t ignore our challenges, but I don’t think that should be our everyday focus. Instead, I want to create a safe and fun experience, and I’ve seen how the little library is a place for people to pause their busy lives, discover a new book and maybe even meet some other people.
“It’s been so encouraging seeing people of all ages stopping at my little library, I think it can feel a little bit like discovering a treasure box, because you don’t know what you will find. At one of the other little libraries in town, I found a children’s book that I absolutely loved when I was younger, and I’m so excited that I could take it to read to my nieces and nephews.”
Visit littlefreelibrary.org for tips, kits to build, best practices, or frequently asked questions. With just a few handfuls of books available that can generally be stored in each location, there’s plenty of room for book-lovers to add a bright spot in their neighbourhood.

Little Free Libraries are a great community resource for people to have in their neighbourhoods, accessible to anyone, at any time. Pictured here, the Little Free Library in the heart of Kenville holds treasures for readers to discover.

By Terrie Welwood
Russell Banner

The family of a 40-year-old mother of six was finally given a measure of peace with the announcement of the arrest of three men from Russell, Roblin and Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve - formerly known as Valley River.
The arrests come as part of the five-year investigation into the disappearance of Melinda Lynxleg by the Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services, with assistance from Roblin, Russell, and Dauphin RCMP detachments.
Kirk Kenneth Allarie, 42, from Roblin, Myles Malcolm Allarie, 38, of Russell and Billy Jay Lynxleg, 46 from Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve Valley River First Nation have been charged with Second Degree Murder along with Offer Indignity to human remains.
All three men were arrested at their respective area homes between Oct 14 and 16, 2025 without incident and will remain in custody until they face trial at a later date.

Read the full story in the October 28, 2025 Russell Banner.