In 2010, the Red Dress Project was initiated by Metis artist Jaime (Jay-me) Black.

She created the powerful art project as a visual reminder of the staggering number of missing and murdered indigenous women across Canada.  

What started as red dresses hung up in public places in communities across Canada, has evolved to red ribbons and other red items being added to the landscape.  

While May 5th is officially Red Dress Day, Northern Health Region elders and Knowledge Keepers will hold an event next week in Flin Flon to mark the day.

Next Friday in Flin Flon,  events will be held in the PCH visitation room from 10 to 11 am.

Another event will follow from 11 am to noon in the front lobby of the Flin Flon General Hospital.

The Flin Flon Heritage Project has teamed up with the Northern Neighbours Foundation, to help finance an annual award to a local student - either from Creighton Community School or Hapnot Collegiate - with an interest in local history.

It is officially being named the Doug Evans Heritage Project Award for the Preservation of Flin Flon and District History. Evans began studying our communities past in order to learn more about his father, former Flin Flon Mayor George Wellington Evans.

Winning students have to plan to attend post-secondary school focusing on history, archaeology, anthropology, library and information science, museum studies, education or a similar field.

The fund sits at $18, 000 allow for several years’ worth of awards for students, with interest accruing on the money keeping it sustainable over time.

Connecting Northern communities, facility construction and donations to organizations was on the docket at Tuesday’s Flin Flon City Council meeting.

Crystal Kolt and Emily Roberts-Young made a presentation on the Imagine-northern project; spearheaded by the Flin Flon Arts Council. It strives to create a digital framework to connect communities together in Northern Manitoba through artistic growth and economic development. A key component is a group known as “Northern Champions” a network of arts representatives from Flin Flon, Snow Lake, Thompson, The Pas, OCN, Brochet and Churchill.

The city has entered into an agreement with RBC for short term financing to assist with cash flow towards the Aqua Centre project while its under construction.

The city has also entered into an agreement with RK Metal Construction for structural repairs on the Flin Flon Public Library.

Donations were made to the Flin Flon Fire Works Committee and for $1000 and the Flin Flon Trout Festival Fishing Derby for $500 And Mayor George Fontaine made an acknowledgment of Flin Flon Bomber Joey Lies who won the SJHL Community Ambassador award that comes with a $2500 prize that will be donated to Ruth Betts School.

The province is encouraging Manitobans to limit the amount of fish they consume from a lake in the northwestern part of the province.

Manitoba Environment and Climate Change said Friday that fish from Schist Lake — near Flin Flon along the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border — contain elevated amounts of selenium, an essential element that can be dangerous if too much is consumed.

The province said a safe limit is eating fish from Schist Lake no more than four times a month, and that aside from the elevated selenium levels, they’re otherwise healthy.

The selenium levels will continue to be monitored, and the province said it’s working with area industries to keep levels low.

More information will be made available if and when the selenium levels decrease.

AT THEIR MEETING EARLIER THIS WEEK THE TOWN COUNCIL OF CREIGHTON PASSED A MOTION TO GIVE THE THIRD AND FINAL READING TO BYLAW 1-2024 TO AUTHORIZE TAX LEVIES AND MILL RATE FACTORS FOR THE YEAR 2024 FOR MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL PURPOSES.

THEY ALSO PASSED A MOTION TO GIVE THIRD AND FINAL READING TO BYLAW 2-2024 TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM TAX FOR THE YEAR 2024.

COUNCIL APPROVED THIS YEARS REGIONAL TOURISM BUDGET,AND ALSO APPROVED THE FIVE YEAR CAPITAL GRANT FOR 2024-2028.

COUNCIL AGREED TO SUPPORT THE STARS RESCUE SERVICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $250 DOLLARS.

UNDER THE CREIGHTON NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION COUNCIL AGREED TO INCREASE THE CREIGHTON CONNECTION TRANSIT TICKETS TO PRINCE ALBERT FROM $105 DOLLARS TO $115 DOLLARS AND 50 CENTS, AND TO SASKATOON FROM $147 DOLLARS TO $157 DOLLARS AND 50 CENTS.

COUNCIL ALSO PASSED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION TO THE CANADA COMMUNITY BUILDING FUND FOR REMAINING GAS TAX FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,287 DOLLARS AND 60 CENTS TO ASSIST IN THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AN AUTOMATIC SWING  DOOR FOR THE SPORTEX MAKING EASY ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL.

AT THEIR MEETING EARLIER THIS WEEK THE FFSD TRUSTEES PASSED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2025/2026 TO 2029/2030 FIVE YEAR CAPITAL PLAN TO BE SUBMITTED TO CAPITAL PROJECT PLANNING AND DELIVERY BY THE DEADLINE OF MAY 15th THIS YEAR.

SECRETARY TREASURER HEATHER FLEMING MENTIONED THE DIVISION IS NOT RECEIVING ANY MONEY AS THE PLAN IS JUST A WISH LIST AND IF ANY PROJECTS ARE APPROVED THE GOVERNMENT WILL LET THEM KNOW AT A LATER DATE.

THE DIVISION HAS ALSO RECEIVED $40,000 DOLLARS FROM THE NORTHERN MANITOBA SECTOR COUNCIL FOR THE SUPPLIES NEEDED TO SET UP TWO POWER MECHANIC COURSES AT HAPNOT FOR THE 2024/2025 SCHOOL YEAR.

BOARD CHAIR JACKIE HUCALUK REPORTED THAT STUDENTS ARE ALREADY PREPARING FOR NEXT FALL WITH COURSE SELECTIONS BEING MADE. CONGRATULATIONS WENT OUT TO GRADE TWELVE STUDENT KAITLYN FIEBER WHO WAS SELECTED TO PLAY IN THE GRADUATING ALL STAR BASKETBALL GAME IN WINNIPEG EARLIER THIS MONTH. LAST WEEK DURING THE SPRING STORM RUTH BETTS HELD THEIR SPRING FEAST. AFTER THE CELEBRATION STAFF TOOK FOOD TO THE FAMILIES THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT DUE TO THE CONDITIONS WHICH IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF STAFF GOING OVER AND ABOVE THEIR USUAL DUTIES.

102.9 CFAR will be presenting their Annual Trade and Leisure Show starting today at the Creighton Sportex. Sales Consultant Raphael Saray  tells us there will be a little something for everyone.

"For over four decades, CFAR is bringing in this event to kickoff spring, everything from home renos to delicious treats, health and wellness, vehicles, as seen on TV items. The big Island drive-in will be running their concession there. So it's an exciting start to the spring time that we're bringing to the Sportex."

The show hours are 4 to 9 on Thursday, noon to 9 on Friday and 10 to 4 on Saturday. The show is free and open to everyone.

The 2328 Royal CDN Army Cadets will be holding their annual ceremonial review on Monday May the 13^th  at the Flin Flon Community Hall starting at 7.

Commanding Officer  Laurel Mymko  gives us the details:

"That evening, we're celebrating their accomplishments throughout the year. There is four star levels which are green, red, silver and gold. We also are giving out awards and trophies for different achievements throughout the year. The rifle team which will be getting their trophies and their D levels and their cross rifles and crowns, If they have qualified for that. During the year, we are celebrating our 75th anniversary for cadets in this year. So we're joining that with our anniversary cake and we're encouraging the parents to come and witness their and join in with their kids and their achievements."

This year cadets from Flin Flon, Cranberry , Creighton and Denare Beach will all be receiving awards and there are 26 total.

If you would like to join the cadets you can join any time you can register any time if you are between 12 and 18. You can sign up by going to www.joincadets,ca, then type in 2328, 21 field engineer and all the necessary information will pop up.

Members of Flin Flon City Council recently attended the Association Of Manitoba Municipalities meetings in Brandon . Mayor George Fontaine was there with councillors Alison Dallas Funk, Judy Eagle and Mike Slipp.

Slipp mentioned there were a lot of topics that got covered.

"  These meetings we have twice a year , this is the spring one and they are very important for a lot of reasons. We are able to connect with the Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, Bernadette Smith and Ian Bushie who is the Minister of Municipal of Municipal and Northern Relations. The meetings are quick but you get your mission in. There is networking with other municipalities, we are part of the cities caucus as Flin Flon is still considered a city. We pass ideas and solutions back and forth, it is a great networking and very important conference that we go to twice a year."

Some of the other topics that were covered included infrastructure, addictions, governance, the Stars Ambulance program and 911 service. Council will be sharing other information from the meetings on up coming City Beat programs on 102.9 CFAR.

The City Of Flin Flon has submitted two applications to the Public Utilities Board for a public hearing to be held on Monday May the 27^th at the Flin Flon Community Hall.

Doors will open at 5 and the meeting will begin at 5:30. The first application will be the approval to recover a deficit which has been going on for a number of years. The second application is to increase the water rates which haven’t gone up since 2021.

Any questions concerning the City’s rates and recovery of the operating deficits can be sent directly to the city.  If you are interested you can attend the public hearing and make your views known to the board with a public presentation.

You can also send an e-mail to publicutilities@gov.mb.ca on or before May the 20^th.

The Flin Flon Aqua Centre Volunteer Committee continues to work hard on raising funds for the new building with construction starting up again this week.

Corine Kerfont  from the committee   says they will be teaming   up with some other organizations to help raise money.  "  On May the 5th, the Flin Flon Community Choir along with the Hapnot Choir and Children's Choir are doing a show. I spoke to Angela about doing something for the pool and she suggested doing an auction for people getting a chance to conduct one of our pieces. I am also looking to do a bake sale and am waiting to hear back from people. We will definatelt be doing some type of ticket option for something."

If you would like to make a donation, volunteer or need any information you can go to the City’s website at flinflon.ca and click on the Aqua Centre tab.

UCN through the Northern Mining Academy will be offering first aid courses to anyone who is interested .

Kelsey Farkus who is the acting Co-ordinator for the Northern Mining Academy explains what is going to be covered.  "  Our first aid programs include a one day and a two day, taught using face to face delivery of ST John's Ambulance corriculum. The primary focus is the CPR Level C for adults, infants and children with defibilater and emergency situations. The Intermediate First Aid is a two day course that is more in depth than the basic first aid and covers all the same things but is more in depth . This is good for anybody to take with a lot of people taking it for work , a lot of people take it just to have and it is good training that you can't go wrong with."

The courses will be taught by Kari Lentowitz and you can sign up going to the website at nmma@ucn.ca or calling the Northern Mining Academy at 204-687-7038. There will be a cost of $126.00 for Basic First Aid and $ 194.25 for Immediate First Aid.

On Tuesday , as a result of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking, Nelson House RCMP, along with assistance from the Manitoba North District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST), executed a search warrant at a residence located in the community of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

As a result of the search, officers seized approximately 85 grams of cocaine, 24 grams of crack cocaine, over $3,000.00 in cash and other drug-related paraphernalia.

Jeffery Lee Linklater, 45, and Megan Kobliski-Dumas, 32, both of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, were arrested on scene and charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

Linklater was remanded into custody whereas Kobliski-Dumas was later released for court scheduled August 21, 2024, in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

Nelson House RCMP continue to investigate.

Progress continues to go well for the City Of Flin Flon who are working very hard on opening up the brand new Aqua Centre with fundraising efforts, donations  and work  has begun on the structural part of the building.

Flin Flon Rec Director Cait Bailey says this is very exciting.  "  It has been a long time coming project , and I know some of these volunteers that are on this committee really got going with other prevelent community members. Colleen McKee who we really miss dearly was instrumental on this project back in 2016. They have been at it for a long time and it is nice to see shovels in the ground and real movement."

Earnst Hunch has been hired out of Winnipeg to look after both the engineering and construction and have started working on the site. They don’t expect the snow to slow them down to much and will be back on the site next week. You can follow all the updates with the new Aqua Centre by going to the city’s website at cityofflinflon.ca and clicking on the Aqua Centre tab.

The Flin Flon Recycling Centre will be hosting their AGM and general information meeting coming up on April the 30^th starting at 7 at Council Chambers.  Deb Odegaard is the Recycling Centre administrator and is looking for the community’s support.

"  Well our AGM will be on April the 30th at City Council Chambers. AGM'S are usually boring but we usually have a more exciting meeting in the first part and this year we are facing some challenges as a recycling program so we want to hear from the community if they think it's important. What is working and what they think we should do better or different,  and we invite everybody to come out and participate. If anyone is interested we also need some board members so they can stay for the AGM which will be the second half of the meeting."

The AGM will also include a report on finances and reports from the Chair and Administrator. Feel free to show up and ask questions or feel free to just listen in. The Recycling Centre will also be at the CFAR Trade and Leisure Show starting next Thursday at the Sportex, so you can stop by and ask questions then.

The Progressive Conservative  Party of Manitoba will choose a new leader on April the 26^th but not til 2025.

The leadership committee led by Winnipeg lawyer Brad Zander  said the long lead time will benefit prospective candidates and ensure the race, the first to be conducted under new rules approved in January, will run as smoothly as possible.

Zander also said that Manitoba PC’S should benefit in 2025 from the leadup to the federal election that the Conservative Party hopes to win that  fall.

The new PC leader will be the first to be chosen by party members since Heather Stefanson won a race to succeed former Premier Brian Pallister in October of 2021. Stefanson served as Premier from November of 2021 til October of 23 when the PC’S were defeated by Wab Kinew’s New Democratic party.

Stefanson stepped down in January, when party members selected Lac Du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko as interim leader.

It is a trip down memory lane tonight with the Flin Flon Archives Board who are presenting a Fire Side Chat.

Les Oystrik is helping put on tonight’s event and  tells us what we can expect and some of the artifacts and stories that they will be highlighting.

"  What people can expect is an opportunity to ask questions and to learn a little more about the Flin Flon Heritage project. The history of it, what is in the collection which is an online collection that we would like help to explore. We will be sharing some information on how this all started and where it is today, particularly  how we are transitioning this collection to the city and community. We are going to go pull up the website and to go through some searches to familiarize people and answer some questions."

This will take place tonight at Council Chambers starting at 7 and is open to everybody.

Make your way to the Hapnot Theatre tonight for the last movie of the season as the Central Canada Film Group will be showing MR Dressup The Magic Of Make Believe.

Colin Davis says it will be a great way to relive your childhood. "  If I mention the names Casey and Finnigan, who does that make you think of? If you said MR. Dressup, then you were watching the CBC between 1967 and 1996. MR Dressup was and still is a Canadian icon, beloved by millions and sadly taken from us in 2001. We are honoring this great man tonight at the Hapnot Theatre with our very special presentation of the documentary MR Dressup, The Magic Of Make Believe. If you want to have a special look behind the scenes of one of your happiest memories  of your childhood, you owe it to yourself to come and join us."

Today is also recognized as Canada Day Of Film and the Central Canada Film Group is happy to be offering this Canadian masterpiece.  Doors  open at 7 and the movie is 7:30 and it  will be the last movie shown til September.

On Friday  at approximately 6:00 p.m., Sandy Bay RCMP performed a routine traffic stop in Sandy Bay, SK.

As a result of investigation, during the traffic stop officers located and seized approximately 107 grams of crack cocaine, 19 grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of ecstasy, a large number of knives, axes, baseballs bats, an imitation handgun, a sum of cash, and drug trafficking paraphernalia.

An adult male was arrested at the scene.

34-year-old Kelvin McCallum from Prince Albert is charged with multiple offenses including three counts, possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Kelvin McCallum will appear in court in Sandy Bay on Thursday 

Registration is now being taken for the 22^nd annual Flin Flon Poetry reading coming up  on Friday April the 19^th.

Harry Hobbes from the Flin Flon Toastmasters  invites everybody  to take part.

"  April is national poetry month and every year we celebrate in Flin Flon by having a poetry reading with members of our own community,  as well as guests from as far away as Malaysia and the States. We are always interested in having people to come out just to listen so don't forget to register and enjoy the evening."

The event is hosted by Flin Flon Toastmasters, Flin Flon Writers Guild and the Flin Flon Public Library. Readers are welcome from all over the world for this event which will be held online. You can read your own work or something submitted by someone else.

Once you sign up they will send you the link. You can also get information by going to the Flin Flon Poetry facebook page.

The Manitoba government is warning about the possibility of overland flooding in the northwestern part of the province.

Forecasters are monitoring a system that could bring up to 50 millimetres of rain and snow in the coming days.

Among the affected communities are Flin Flon and the Pas.

People in the affected areas are being advised to stay off waterways and keep away from flooding areas and dams.

On Friday , at approximately 4:30 am, Nelson House RCMP received a report that a youth had pointed a firearm at another youth before running off in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. Officers obtained a warrant for the youth’s residence.

A search of the residence located a rifle and ammunition.

The 16-year-old male suspect was arrested and charged with Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm in the Commission of an Offence, and Pointing a Firearm. The youth had been on conditions that included a curfew and not owning, possessing, or carrying any weapon. He is also charged with Breach of Release Order. He remains in custody.

You are invited to come out to the Flin Flon Pentecostal Church to hear the good news this Wednesday through Friday as evangelist Mark Davie will be in town and will help transform your life with stories on what his ministry is doing world wide.

The pastor from the Pentecostal church, Mikael  Mantyla tells us it will be a very inspirational  experience.  " He will be sharing  stories from the ministry of what he has been doing,  including some awesome things like people being healed, some miraculous things that are taking place. Not only will he be sharing testimonies and stories from his ministry but the bible as well. If anyone needs prayer for anything that they are going through including sickness are  more than welcome to come out."

Each service will start at 7pm Wednesday through Friday at the Flin Flon Pentecostal church at 180 Green street. Doors open at 6:30.

Raj Sewda  who is the  CEO of the NRHA stopped by the CFAR studio to update the public on Friday that they will be participating at all the trade shows happening around the North this spring.

Sedwa outlines what they will be sharing at these trade shows.  "  We will be featuring a lot of career information, public health programs and we will talk about our Northern Health Foundation and a there is a lot of prizes to be won. So stay tuned with these locations and dates as  we have a job for everyone. We always look for people to fill our vacancies and their may be jobs that we can fill with your skills."

The trade shows will be taking place in Flin Flon and Creighton April the 25^th to the 27^th, Snow Lake April the 30^th to May the 1^st , Thompson  May the 3^rd to the 5^th and the Pas May the 9^th to the 11^th.

You can also get information by going to the website northernhealthregion.com.

The Flin Flon Archives board want to take you down memory lane with a Fire Side Chat which will take place this Thursday at Council Chambers starting at 7.

Crystal Kolt stopped by the CFAR studio last week and invites everyone to come out for a great night in Flin Flon’s history.  " I am so excited about this little group that I have come to love. What we decided to do is form the Flin Flon Archives Board and it has been under the city for about a year and a half. We all know that this is an amazing town with all the great stories and we wanted to have Fire Side Chats. I started it during Culture Days where people could show up and talk about the history of the town. We are going to be holding this at City Council Chambers but it will be more with a big screen and pictures from the Flin Flon Heritage Project. There is going to be artifacts and stories with our local historians, Les Oystryk, Ken Pawlachuk, Don Peake and Frank Feiber. It will be a really good chance to get together as a community."

It will be a chance to enjoy an evening of memories including photos and stories about Phantom Lake, Early mining and the start of the town.  Kolt also went on to say they will be having more of these sessions in the future. It is absolutely free and all are welcome.