Greg and Charlotte Sauder, along with Community Wrap Around Services, invited everyone to the Swan River Legion Park for a walk in honour of loved ones who are missing or murdered. The event took place yesterday (May 5), on National Red Dress Day, a symbol that was coined by Metis artist Jaime Black as an aesthetic response to the critical national issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

SVRSS students displayed their abilities in their field of choice during the Skills Manitoba competition held on April 10 in Winnipeg, with four out of the 10 students from the Swan Valley coming back with medals...

Children and parents gathered at the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre on April 13 for the annual Easter egg hunt, where children aged 1-12 ran inside and outside to collect their springtime treasures. Here, the 1-3 age group gets let loose onto the area of ‘hidden’ Easter eggs.

On the fifth anniversary of Melinda Lynxleg’s disappearance, RCMP Major Crimes Services says it is closer than ever before to providing the Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve woman’s family some answers as to what exactly happened to her.

Lynxleg, 40, had been missing for over three years when her body was located on June 7, 2023, at an abandoned property in San Clara.

Police located Lynxleg’s body after searching the property, which contained a small house and several outbuildings.

RCMP Forensic Identification Services, RCMP Search and Rescue and a Forensic Anthropologist were all on scene assisting with the search.

An autopsy confirmed her death was a homicide.

“The RCMP does not give up on missing people,” Sergeant Laura LeDrew, a Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services investigator said at the time.

“More than three years of searching, conducting interviews, collecting evidence. We never stopped. Finding Melinda is an important part of this investigation. She can now go home. But our work is not done.”

Since that time, RCMP Major Crime Services, with assistance of the Roblin RCMP, have been working tirelessly to find answers as to what happened to Lynxleg.

More than 130 people were spoken to by police, as investigators followed up on every lead, while canvassing the entire community.

Police say thousands of hours have been spent looking for answers, including a complete review of the entire investigation, which recently led to new information coming to light.

This development has given the investigation forward momentum and officers are confident they’re even closer to finding those answers.

RCMP Major Crime Services continues to seek out any information someone may have.

If you have not reached out to police before, speak up now.

The RCMP Major Crime Service Tip Line is 1-431-489-8042.

The Swan Valley Stampeders held their Spring ID Camp this past weekend (April 4-6) with 40 players from all over Western Canada competing and showing their skills in front of the Stampeder coaching and scouting staff.
“The camp as a whole was very successful,” said Stampeders Head Coach Josh Tripp. “The level and pace of all of the games was super high and I was pleased with what I saw.”
The Stampeders welcomed six goaltenders, eight defenceman, and 24 forwards to the weekend for two practices, two off-ice workouts, a player seminar meeting held at the Elks Hall, and four games to test their mettle and see who could adjust the best to the junior level.
“There was a good number of kids that stood out,” said Tripp. “We had great conversations with every player that attended and I am hoping to get a good number of guys back in the fall for main camp.
We had nine players from Swan participate and they did very well. I love seeing the local products come out and showcase themselves.”
The 40 players were split up into two teams, where team Grey won three out of the four games throughout the weekend. The Stampeders had some help from former Stampeder defenceman and captain Ashton Fishley to spread some insight and keep a keen eye on the talent during the weekend.
“My biggest takeaway was how hard every guy played in every game,” said Tripp.
“Spring camps can be a bit generic with the way they are run. We tried to keep our camp smaller so we could make a more personal connection with the players and their parents. That also ensured the high level of play in each game which we saw all weekend.”
The pace of play during was most impressive throughout the weekend. All four games were competitive and had a very good pace of play. Compared to last season’s booming numbers, this year’s camp was felt to be more organized and structured.
“Going into next season I am super excited for the direction the team is heading in,” said Tripp. “We return an unbelievable group of players from last season and we saw a very high level of players in the spring camp. We are going to be competitive from day one and I think all the fans have a lot to look forward to.”
Now that spring camp is in the rearview mirror, the Stampeders officially begin their off-season mode, where they’ll be searching for new, young, and upcoming talent to join their already talented roster for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.

As spring approaches and the snow starts to disappear, it reveals all kinds of treasures, some of them better than others, such as this antler that was likely recently shed by a deer, right in the middle of Swan River Legion Park...

If you need a little healthy variety in your mealtime, a great thing to pick up is some fresh and delicious microgreens, which Barefoot Farms has in spades – despite the fact that the hydroponic greenhouse doesn’t use dirt.
Owner/operator Dale Mohr has been experimenting a little bit with different species of microgreens, in which the premature sprouts of different plants get harvested early and add a concentrated pop of flavour and nutrients to whatever you decide to add them too.
“You can mix them in a salad or put them on a sandwich, anywhere you want to add a boost of flavour, and they’re super healthy,” said Mohr. “There is three times the goodness on average of the fully grown plant, so that speaks to the amazing goodness in the seeds themselves. I grow them on hemp fibre mats that I get from Edson, Alta., and the seeds from Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds in Saskatoon, Sask..”
On average, microgreens only take between 10 and 14 days, whereas Mohr’s other leafy greens in his greenhouse can take between 30-50 days.
“Borage microgreens can replace a cucumber in a salad, with little need for prep,” said Mohr. “And, I’m never going to need to grow garden peas again. In my mind, the microgreens have way more flavour and half the effort.
“The radish microgreens also come out tasting like a radish, but not like when you sometimes eat a radish that can be woody or bland sometimes. The microgreens nail it every time with great flavour and finish with a burn. I don’t think I’ve made a sandwich in the last year without putting some on.”
Mohr also has some broccoli, onion chives and garlic microgreens on the go.
The remainder of his greenhouse is still well stocked with the variety of different green heads in his completely hydroponic setup, powered by the natural energy of the sun much of the time with some support from artificial lights when needed.
“My dill and arugula is really taking off,” said Mohr. “There’s amazing benefits and great flavour. The arugula has basically gone from being an addition to a salad to people making whole salads out of it. Now, I’m offering a younger and older variety so you can get different textures and taste profiles.”
Mohr continues to grow beet tops, bok choy, swiss chard and kale, along with the different lettuce varieties like romaine and tropicana.
Mohr is also nearly three years deep into his Barefoot Farms business, having started it soon after moving back to his home region of Minitonas, from his lucrative career in the western Prairies.
While he began his business for the love of growing food and being able to work for himself to make a living, he finds that he has even grown as a person in that time.
“I thought the people would be my least favourite part of the process, and I’m learning that it is becoming my favourite as I explore that side of my personality,” said Mohr. “I’m seeing if I can grow what my customers need.
“This has taught me how to be a member of the community, which is the part I’m most excited about diving into. And, this community is awesome with the variety of people that come through my door.”
Mohr has also learned – with first hand knowledge – about operating a small business, about where it is worthwhile to spend money, and about not feeling bad if he is to charge a bit more for an item if it makes sense for his business, as compared to a grocery store.
He’s also had to reduce the hours that he is open, down to Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., to allow for more time off and a better work/life balance.
“I’m better functioning when I’m here if I take a break,” said Mohr. “And, I’m usually always here because my controls are manual and things can heat up in a hurry if you don’t watch (the temperatures). The lettuce is the biggest tattletale, where the tips will burn if it gets too warm.
“I used to be a cog in a machine and now I’m the whole machine. It’s fascinating what you learn as a small business. I’m hoping that if I can get the product right and the people right, the end of the month will take care of itself.”
Barefoot Farms is located just outside of Minitonas, about 1.5 miles west of the Minitonas Hotel.

Members of MGEU who work for Michif Child and Family Services (CFS) in Swan River have been participating in the strike action that union members have taken in protest of the projected layoffs of members around the province, particularly in light of millions of dollars in increased funding from the Manitoba government. MGEU is also calling for fair wages for these workers, in order to be able to retain and attract the professionals they do have, in order to reasonably retain services. The contract for Michif CFS expired Jan. 31, 2023...

The Swan Valley Animal Protection League (SVAPL) has some incredible people who go above and beyond the call of duty to rescue, care for and most importantly, love animals that have been either surrendered or abandoned. One of these remarkable people is Dan Grazier. If you know Grazier, you know he is a true animal lover and has dedicated many hours to the shelter.
“Pets are great companions,” said Grazier. “They are always there for you with a wagging tail and a wet nose. They don’t ask for much and offer unconditional love in return.
“When we can save an animal from an unfortunate situation or circumstance, and offer them safety, love and hope, you can tell they understand and appreciate it. Once we put in the work, time and effort to get them to trust people again, you can tell they are ready to begin the next chapter of their lives with their new forever families.”
Many pet lovers are either a dog or a cat person. Grazier loves all animals, but he has a favourite type.
“I grew up a dog lover, but as I grew older, cats seemed more aligned with my personality,” said Grazier. “I’ve got three of my own at home: Dagger, Dart and Dash. We are the DA Gang. In addition to that, we have nearly 50 cats and kittens at the shelter that I consider my unofficial children as well.”
Grazier started getting involved with SVAPL by watching his father help out the organization. Between the love of animals and being able to use his skill set for volunteering, it became a natural thing for him to do.
“My company, Grazier Custom Manufacturing, has built things for the SVAPL for a number of years, and my late father Cliff was always very happy to help them out,” said Grazier. “I started by just bringing food and donations to the shelter. I saw that the volunteer base was extremely female-heavy. I noticed things that could be helped with my skill set.
“We started by building and donating catios that give the cats access to the outside, fresh air, bird watching etc. It’s grown to now have three different catios, catwalks, pedestals, wall crates, and bridges. A real cat paradise. It’s become a very unique place in the world of animal rescue.
“We have worked hard to create a wonderful and fun, stress-free, comforting atmosphere for the animals to enjoy as they wait to meet their new families,” said Grazier. “Many shelters cannot do this, and lots of times the animals are confined to smaller individual cages, which is the unfortunate reality. We are doing our absolute best to try to maximize the space for them.
“I also use the time there as my form of therapy. I dealt with some pretty tough times after my father passed away, and this has given me something positive to channel my energy towards. I’ve become very attached to every animal in our care and know every one of their names.”
Grazier has seen the Swan Valley come together and help out the SVAPL. People are more than willing to help the shelter provide quality care for those animals until they find their forever homes.
“We have some amazing sponsors in this community, and are very lucky that they are big animal lovers,” said Grazier. “The big one I can think of this past year was the Swan River Kinsmen Club, which I am also a member of and recently elected the Vice-President. They voted to fund the Kinsmen Kennel, a functional dog run behind our facility, so we will be able to handle dogs that come into our care as well. We are almost near completion.
“Before this, we could only take in dogs if a foster home could be arranged. This will give us a few more options in case of emergencies. That is just the start of the amazing group of sponsors that we have. Come to the shelter and look at the huge list on the wall sometime and see for yourself. “
Grazier has seen the shelter expand over the years in terms of space and features, as well as in need and animals that need homes.
“The shelter has evolved over the past few years, growing from a few rooms with cat trees, to an amazing playland with items and features changing and being added constantly,” said Grazier. “The number of animals coming in never seems to decrease, especially coming into the winter months when animals are seeking shelter. We are always operating at or beyond our capacity when it comes to felines.
“We have been lucky to be able to have dedicated foster homes for the dogs currently in our care. Near 50 cats and eight to 10 dogs are currently in our care and foster homes. We have an unbelievably dedicated, caring and compassionate group of volunteers who never let a day go by without all chores being done, every animal fed and cared for. They are the real unsung heroes of our shelter, and the place would not run without them. I am so proud of them for their work every day.”
Grazier has been part of a few comedic fundraising campaigns to help bring much-needed dollars to the SVAPL. Usually, he finds humour not only the best medicine but a good way to engage with people when it comes to fundraising.
“The ladies and I like to have an unofficial, good-spirited competition when it comes to selling tickets,” said Grazier. “We always have some amazing prizes and a large 50/50 draw for our Spring banquet, which is coming up on March 22, so the more eyes we get on the draws and our event the better.
“The more ridiculous the posts we make, the more engagement and sales for these tickets. The real winners in the end are the animals, and deep down, I have the utmost respect for my fellow sales competitors... but mostly because they know I am going to win.
“They also talked me into doing a 2025 fundraising cash calendar featuring myself this year,” said Grazier. “It sold out all 250 copies very quickly, becoming one of our best fundraisers to date. It’s not what I would choose to hang up in my house to look at every day but to each their own. I have somewhat leaned into the role of being one of the faces of the shelter. I can certainly be a character, and anything that brings eyes to our adoptable friends and our shelter is a good thing. I decided to go with the flow while people still find it entertaining. Strike while the iron is hot, as they say in my industry.”
The list of needs is never-ending for the shelter. Whether it be food or money, both go to good use.
“As you can imagine, food is always the highest in demand,” said Grazier. “The animal’s mouths never stop, so we are constantly going through food. If you have one or two animals at home that you feed, you can imagine the volume that 50 cats and 10 dogs would require per day.
“People have been so generous to us with their donations. We even have a bin for donations at the Co-op, and an Amazon wish list for those out-of-towners. Donations can always be dropped off directly at the shelter as well, or we can arrange a pickup.
“Alternatively, money is always useful to help with our monthly bills, supplies or whichever food or treats we are requiring that month,” said Grazier. “Any cash donations over $25 are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
“Our next major project is installing another window in one of the cat rooms. Grazier Manufacturing will donate a fourth catio once it is installed, but we could always use the money for that or things such as these that pop up.”
Grazier does a lot around the shelter to help out, from building things to bottle feeding. He encourages people in the Valley to give in any capacity they can, whether it be through donating or volunteering.
“I assist directly with the animals quite often, helping to administer vaccines and medications; take weights; give baths, that’s always fun; bottle feed; play with the cats to help socialize them; comforting cats that are new and scared or feeling under the weather and giving them some company while they are in the quarantine section,” said Grazier. “I try to stay useful, from lifting heavy things to building and fixing, right down to cleaning the gunk out of the cat’s eyes.
“I’m working hard to try to break misconceptions that men can’t be involved with animal rescue. You can be young and male and also have compassion for animals. Caring for animals is cool, and I can always use more guys’ help because I am definitely outnumbered.”
“If people are looking to help us out, we are always looking for donations of either cash or supplies,” said Grazier. “If you are unsure what to buy or what we need, I would encourage you to send a message to the SVAPL Facebook page. We would be able to tell you in real time what we are in most need of.
“If you are interested in volunteering, also contact us through the page or email us through our website at SVAPL.ca. Visit our site to see current animals looking for a new home if you are considering one. Fill out an application. Book a meeting with the cats and see which one speaks to you. Support us. Come to our events. We are an entirely volunteer-run non-profit organization kept alive by a group of people with big hearts and I’m very honoured to call them all my friends. And also, as one of my heroes always said, ‘Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.’ RIP Bob.”

An early spring sun rises on the Swan Valley, peeking behind one of the vintage tractors on display at the Swan Valley Historical Museum.