This past weekend there were lots of red dress and MMIWG2S+ events in the tri-community to raise awareness, and to show support and love for those who have experienced this injustice. The Pas Family Resource Centre organized a Red Dress Round Dance last Friday at the intersection of Edwards and 2nd Street, to show support for National Red Dress Day.
“We had such a huge turnout and it exceed our expectations, and what we had hoped for even,” said The Pas Family Resource Centre’s Renee Kastrukoff. “There were over 150 people in attendance for the Red Dress Round Dance and lunch. It was absolutely fantastic and beautiful to see so many community and family members come to honour their MMIWG2S loved ones. Even if people didn’t have a MMIWG2S+ individual they were directly connected to, lots still came out to show their support.

All lakes in Manitoba are at risk for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) such as zebra mussels. Sadly, some lakes in the province are already plagued with AIS, which cannot be reversed. In an effort to ensure Riding Mountain National Park remains free of AIS, a new program has been implemented.
“Parks Canada appreciates the strong connections people have to Clear Lake, in particular the people of the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation and members of the Coalition of First Nations with Interests in Riding Mountain National Park,” said Parks Canada Riding Mountain National Park Public Relations and Communications Officer Mireille Kroeker. “Parks Canada learned of a positive test result for environmental DNA for zebra mussels at the end of January. Even a single test result is a warning that must be taken seriously.

After having a successful community Pride Parade and Festival, Tri-Community Pride is in the planning stages for the event’s return. Tri-Community Pride wants to continue the valuable awareness and work done by groups in the past that organized the Pride crosswalk and bridge painting, Pride floats in the Canada Day Festival and Pride gatherings pre-pandemic.
“We are trying to plan our second annual Pride Parade and Festival, and so far we’ve got it scheduled for June 10, in the afternoon,” said Tri-Community Pride Vice President Derrick James. “For the parade, people will gather at The Pas Royal Canadian Legion at 1 p.m., and we will start the parade at 2 p.m.

An event to celebrate and commemorate missing and murdered Indigenous people will be held in the tri-community this week. The event is open to all and will include a sacred fire in the Kinsmen Park, some entertainment and snacks.
“KB Memorial in partnership with MKO MMIWG Liaison Unit is hosting a Celebrate and Commemorate Vigil on May 5, for family and friends to respectfully celebrate and remember the lives of their missing and murdered loved ones around the sacred fire,” said Gloria Ballantyne-Packo. “It will be a candlelight vigil and we will provide the candles and red glow sticks for children.”

Just before Christmas, Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute (MBCI) received a grant to provide every family that had students in the school, a holiday food hamper. The project was a huge success and led MBCI to be on the radar to receive additional funding to create another project to help students’ families.
“The original hamper project we did at Christmas was from funding we received through Northern Manitoba Food, Culture and Community Collaborative,” said MBCI Principal Trevor Lane. “The organization reached out to us again, because they were so happy with the project that we did and they had some remaining funding left. They wanted to know if we had any projects we wanted to do, so I was thinking how can I encourage and entice more parents to come to parent teacher evening?

The Pas Health Complex Foundation has been busy raising funds again to improve health services for the community. The organization was started back in the late 90s and has been raising and managing donations give to improve medical equipment and services for patients and the healthcare facilities in The Pas.
“The Pas Health Complex Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to the provision of equipment and services that will provide care and comfort for patients in the health facilities in The Pas,” said The Pas Health Complex Foundation Chair Sue Lambert. “It was instituted and incorporated in 1999, when the RHA took over the St. Anthony’s Hospital Board and attached all the assets. The endowment fund, which consists of donations from people in The Pas, was moved to another bank and was retained for use in The Pas only.

The 2023 Skills Canada Manitoba Competition was held last month and showcased the trade talents of Manitoba post-secondary and high school students. This year two Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute (MBCI) students placed in the competition.
“The Skills Canada Manitoba competition was held on April 13th, 2023, where over 475 high school, post-secondary and apprentice students compete in 42 skilled trades and technology categories in six industry sectors,” said MBCI instructor Lisa Gibb. “MBCI had two competitors competing this year, and it is an honour to announce that Namirembe Afatsawo won a gold medal in Public Speaking, and Kali Gibb won a silver medal in Job Search.

Upcoming graduate of Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute, Alexis Marlow, has had her hard work on the basketball court pay off. Recently Marlow signed a letter of intent to play basketball with Bethel College in Kansas this fall and last weekend received the Ron Meyer Leadership Award at Basketball Manitoba’s Awards.
Marlow started playing basketball at an early age due to the influences of her brothers and her dad being involved in the sport.
“I started playing basketball in the first grade with my brothers at their after school sports program,” said Marlow. “In elementary school, my dad helped out with the program while my brothers were in it and because I would sit on the sidelines and watch until they were done, the gym teacher just told me to grab a ball and join them.
“My brothers and cousins all played basketball, and my uncle had coached them throughout their schooling, so it has definitely always been something that reminds me of family. I started to get more serious about the sport in middle school when I made the school travel team in the sixth grade.

The members of The Pas Helping Hands 4-H had the opportunity to showcase their skills earlier this month at the Manitoba 4-H Council’s Communications Extravaganza. The members had been working on presentations and delivering them, leading up to this event.
“The Pas Helping Hands 4-H Members traveled to Brandon on April 15th to compete in the Manitoba 4-H Council’s Communications Extravaganza,” said The Pas Helping Hands 4-H Leader Cheryl Antonio. “The 4-H program in Manitoba, and across Canada, delivers opportunity for youth to develop personally in areas of self-confidence, responsibility and leadership. Life skills are gained through many hands-on project offerings, in addition to communication, leadership, problem-solving and goal-setting skills.

Last week The Pas Rotary Club honoured one of their members for his 40 years of service by presenting him with the Lifetime Member Award. Gary Morrish has dedicated many years to serving as a member of The Pas Rotary Club, along with other members of his immediate family.
“My father, Clarence, had served as a rotary member here in the Pas for 40 years,” said Morrish. “It was through his example which led me to joining. I remember my dad being a faithful member as I was growing up.
“At one point and time, my dad, myself and my son, Brent, were Rotarians with the The Pas Rotary Club. It was my dad’s proudest moment to see three generations serving the same Rotary Club.”