Travis
A celebration of our Journey to Home
Once again, thanks to the efforts of our colleagues, neighbours and friends, the community celebrated the impressive ethnic diversity of our area with our 2026 Culturama. This year’s theme was Journey to Home. In preparation for the event, residents of the area who hail from Austria, Germany, Egypt, Maritius, Mexico, Morocco, India, Philippines, Scotland, Ireland and Ukraine along with Metis, Waywayseecappo Treaty Four and Gambler First Nation spent weeks preparing the cuisine of their nations to share with all of us.
June 16, 2026
Slim's Cabins
Caretaker
Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve - Jordan's Principle
Various Positions
June 16, 2026
Manitoba government improves recreational trails
To celebrate Manitoba Trails Day, June 6, the Manitoba government and Trails Manitoba are improving recreational trails across the province with more than $200,000 in funding, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes announced.
“Trails are spaces where families can enjoy and experience the incredible landscapes and wildlife that make Manitoba so unique,” said Moyes. “Our government understands that trails are an affordable way for families to connect with nature and are essential for the health and well-being of Manitobans. We are proud to partner with Trails Manitoba to invest in the maintenance and enhancement of trails across the province.”
In all, 19 projects will receive funding through the 2026 Trails Manitoba Grant Program, including:
Winnipeg Trails Association – winter trail making and maintenance capacity boost;
Beausejour Active Transportation Committee – Rail Trail West enhancement;
Crow Wing Trail Association – stewardship and maintenance;
Boyne Valley Trail Committee – Trailhead enhancement project;
Steep Rock Cottage Owners Association – Steep Rock Trails enhancement project; and
Rossburn Subdivision Trail Association – general trail maintenance.
“Trails are critical infrastructure, providing all Manitobans with pathways to health and well-being, reconciliation, economic development, tourism and environmental stewardship,” said Jeana Manning, board president, Trails Manitoba. “We are honoured to partner with the Manitoba government, municipal and Indigenous governments, and trail organizations in delivering trail projects across our gorgeous province.”
The Winnipeg Trails Association will be among the beneficiaries of the funding, the minister noted, adding the organization has worked with numerous municipalities, community-based partners and school divisions to help develop, connect and promote active transportation across the city.
“Trails make it possible for hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and abilities to experience something magical,” said Anders Swanson, executive director, Winnipeg Trails Association. “Trails help connect us all to nature in this place we call home. We are pleased to see this support to help grow our capacity to try to do more.”
For the complete listing of 2026 Trails Manitoba Grant recipients, visit www.trailsmanitoba.ca/grants.
Manitobans are invited to celebrate Manitoba Trails Day, which takes place annually on the first Saturday in June, this year on June 6. Manitobans are encouraged to visit one of the province’s trails or join park interpreters for a guided program in provincial parks. For more information, visit www.manitobaparks.com.To mark 2026 Manitoba Trails Day, the Manitoba government is announcing the opening of two new backcountry campsites on the Black Wolf Trail in Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park.
“We know Manitobans love the challenge of multi-day hikes and to support the demand for more of these opportunities, we are excited to announce the development of new backcountry campsites on the Black Wolf Trail,” said Moyes. “This will allow people to experience this beautiful trail in a new way and try backcountry camping in central Manitoba.”
The new backcountry campsites are first-come, first-served, the minister noted. Visitors are reminded to practice ‘Leave No Trace’ principles and make sure they share their trip plan with an emergency contact. For more information on how to camp in the backcountry and about other multi-day hikes in Manitoba, visit www.manitobaparks.com.The Manitoba government recognizes the value of high-quality trails and supports the inaugural Canadian Trail Summit, which is being organized and hosted in Winnipeg by the Trans Canada Trail. The conference takes place from June 16 to 19 and presents an opportunity for the Canadian trail sector to come together, the minister noted.
To learn more about the Canadian Trail Summit, visit www.canadiantrailsummit.ca.
677 Royal Canadian Air Cadets host their annual Ceremonial Review
On May 26th, 2026 the 677 Royal Canadian Air Cadets hosted their Annual Ceremonial Review. They had an amazing crowd of approximately 70 spectators supporting the event. Major Terrence Henry generously joined the squadron as the reviewing officer for the evening. During the event, the cadets were presented with the year-end awards capping off a great training year.
The awards presented were: Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Excellence Awards for cadets who completed their respective level and obtained a 90% or better attendance. The Excellence in Fitness Award which is sponsored by the Russell Lion's Club and was presented by Kevan McCarthy. The Distinguished Marksmanship Award which is sponsored by the Russell Game and Fish and was presented by Ken Schmitz. The Lord Strathcona Medal presented by Major Henry and the Legion Medal of Excellence presented by Earl Smith of the Russell Legion.
The cadets had a successful training year and volunteered numeous hours with various community organizations.
The Russell 677 Air Cadets would like to thank all of the individuals and community organizations that supported us this year and made this year a success. The squadron has grown from 3 Cadets to 15 Cadets in the last 3 years and a large part of that is in thanks to the community, sponsorship committee and the local squadron staff. We look forward to our upcoming training year and an even more impressive Annual Ceremonial Review next year.
Air Cadet fall registration will be on September 8th, 2026 at the George P. Buleziuk Centre in Russell at 7:00 p.m. for youth ages 12-19.
Pickleball camps coming here soon
COMING AUGUST 14! Roadshow Pickleball Manitoba will be running a youth pickleball camp for ages 12-17 years in Russell! Details coming soon! Mark your calendars!
The Russell Town wide Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 20th from 9 am-3:30 pm. If you would like your address added to the map, please contact the recreation office: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. From out of town? We will be offering in space inside the rink for $20.
Summer Camps are back! The camps are 1 week and meet daily from 9am until 3:30 pm! Come join us for outdoor activities including arts, crafts, hiking, science, swimming, games, etc. The cost is $50 for the week! Dates and ages are as follows:
Russell July 13-17 ages 9-12, Russell July 20-24 ages 7-11, Russell July 27-31 ages 6-10 and Binscarth August 4-7 ages 7-11. Please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register!
There is a new story on the Storybook Trail! “Cool Canadian Dinosaurs” Fun Facts from Teeth to Tracks! by Canadian Girl. The trail starts just off Alexandria Ave by the Russell grain elevator on the Trans Canada Trail. Follow the trail, stopping at each story pedestal and learn about 14 different types of dinosaurs that once lived in Canada!
Healthy Baby is Tuesday, June 23rd from 11am-1pm upstairs in the Bunge Room located in the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance. This is a free program for expecting parents and those with babies under the age of one. Come join us!
Pickleball is at the GPB Hall in Russell (106 Shell River Ave S)! Tuesdays from 1-3 pm and Thursdays from 9-11 am and again from 7-9 pm! Pickleball is FREE and we have all equipment needed. Clean, indoor shoes required. Never played before? We’ve got you covered! We will teach you!
Badminton is in Russell at the GPB Hall on WEDNESDAY evenings from 7-9pm. It is FREE and we have all equipment needed. Clean, indoor shoes required.
Zumba is Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance, $5 drop-in!
Coming soon! The disc golf course will be set up again this summer as well as the PlayBoxes in Russell and Binscarth. Stay tuned for more information!
Follow us on Facebook: Recreation Department Municipality of Russell Binscarth Not on Facebook? Check out our community bulletin board located on the front of the Russell Memorial Multiplex (Main St).
Beautifying the area for 20 years
By Terrie Welwood
Russell Banner
It’s probably safe to say that Shannon and Newell Johnston are among the busiest people in the area.
Especially in the spring and summer when they prepare both of their Prairie Gardener locations in Russell and Roblin.
This year, the pair have something to cheer about aside from the ongoing success of their two locations as this year, they celebrate their 20th anniversary in business.
Shannon Johnston says every year, they look forward to the opening of their two locations
“We are happy to be able to continue to provide plants to the local area, and it really does feel like we are a part of the community in both Roblin and Russell,” Shannon said.
“We open our gates in town each year and are always so grateful to be shown again how great our customers are - they come in to say hi and are so excited to see everything we have grown.”
After several years of assisting with the business, Shannon and Newell Johnston purchased it with the help of financing from the local credit union, and began the process of disassembling and rebuilding the production farm on a newly cleared property near the edge of Riding Mountain National Park east of Inglis.
“It was quite the task to take down and reset-up the buildings and infrastructure, but we managed to make it happen and we were able to produce a nice crop the following spring despite still finishing heating and ventilation work, building benches as we went, and somehow keeping just slightly ahead of the space needs as we grew that first crop at our new location.”
Read the whole front page story in this week's edition of the Russell Banner.
