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International Day of Happiness sparks fundamental question: What makes you happy?

International Day of Happiness sparks fundamental question: What makes you happy?

CBC20-03-2025

Winnipeggers answer: What makes you happy?
55 years ago
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We could all use a little more happiness, right?
With global uncertainty, market upheavals and a trade war between Canada and the United States, it's enough to cause even the most affable and joyful person to take pause.
Today is International Day of Happiness. Held every March 20, the day was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to recognize "happiness as a fundamental human goal." To that end, the UN called for "a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples."
With that in mind, Sisler Create filmmaking students, assisted by Red River College Polytechnic student Sean Monfero, hit the downtown campus of Red River College Polytechnic to ask students, staff and passersby: What makes you happy?
From great grades, to trips away, to their art and favourite cookies, Winnipeggers shared their simple joys.
The result? A new short three-minute documentary by students in the Create program at Sisler High School, which they made in collaboration with CBC Manitoba.
CREATE students Joseph Huntington, Raiden Dumaran, Ewan Webster and Semira Abolore, along with Sean Monfero, produced the new short video.
Meet the filmmakers
More about Project POV: Sisler Create
CBC Manitoba's Project POV: Sisler Create is a storytelling collaboration that partners filmmaking students with CBC Manitoba journalists to produce short docs. You can see past projects here.
The Winnipeg School Division's Create program is hosted at Sisler High School and trains post-high students in the creative digital arts.
During fall 2024, CBC journalists taught storytelling to filmmaking students and led producing workshops at Sisler.
Create focuses on education and career pathways into the creative industries. Students can take courses in animation, film, game design, visual effects, graphic design and interactive digital media.

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Hundreds mark Vyshyvanka Day at the Forks
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  • Winnipeg Free Press

Hundreds mark Vyshyvanka Day at the Forks

Winnipeg On May 11, the Forks turned a little Ukrainian, as hundreds marked Vyshyvanka Day with music, sweets and souvenirs. The celebration was highlighted by artists using chalk to create a Ukrainian vyshyvanka pattern on the sidewalk. 'It employs three classic colours — red, white, and black,' organizer Mila Shykota said. 'White is for wisdom, red is for love, and black is for sadness.' Held every May, Vyshyvanka Day celebrates the traditions of Ukrainian clothing. Some credit its origins to university student Lesya Voronyuk, who in 2006 encouraged her classmates to wear an embroidered shirt, or 'vyshyvanka'. In two decades, Vyshyvanka Day has spread to more than 70 countries. Photo by Tony Zerucha Hundreds celebrated Vyshyvanka Day at the Forks on May 11. The celebration was highlighted by artists using chalk to create a Ukrainian vyshyvanka pattern on the sidewalk. 'Vyshyvanka Day is a significant holiday for Ukrainians,' Shykota said. 'All Ukrainians and those who support Ukraine around the world wear embroidered shirts and host significant events.' Shykota thanked Winnipeggers and Manitobans for warmly embracing the many thousands of Ukrainians who have come to Manitoba. Winnipeg and Lviv are sister cities, and the region has a strong Ukrainian presence dating back generations. 'It is the Ukrainian capital of Canada,' Shykota said. 'It is only natural that Winnipeg is the first city in Canada with a Ukrainian Vyshyvanka Boulevard.' Shykota thanked the Forks for allowing her to host the event and the City of Winnipeg Public Works Department for organizing the venue. Freshco Pembina Highway provided treats for the kids. 'Much of the Ukrainian community gathered,' Shykota said. 'They sang Ukrainian songs, took pictures and talked. I'm excited and so glad that a lot of Ukrainians came together.' In August, Shykota, her husband and daughter will mark three years in Winnipeg. They both have good jobs, and their daughter is enrolled in French immersion. One year ago, they bought a house. They have permanent residency. This is their second time in Winnipeg. Shykota's husband studied at the University of Manitoba almost a decade ago, and she joined him here before they returned to Ukraine. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. 'We have a good life in Winnipeg,' she said. 'We were initially scared to start a new life in a different country and a different language.' Their parents remain in Ukraine, so the war is never far away. Shykota's daily calls to friends and relatives revolve around who has recently fled to a shelter. 'Every single day, Russia bombs and attacks Ukrainian cities,' she said. 'They say they only attack military targets, but it is not true. They attack hospitals, children's play yards, and civilian objects. 'Everyone in Ukraine is focused on helping the Armed Forces and civilians raise money. We're constantly donating to organizations.' Vyshyvanka Day celebrations also had a practical component, as Shykota and her team sold puzzle pieces for $5 each. Proceeds were used to buy a reconnaissance drone for a regiment fighting the Russians near Kharkiv. Donations can be e-transferred to Shykota at mila655@ Tony ZeruchaEast Kildonan community correspondent Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at tzerucha@ Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Stroke by stroke, Winnipeg paddling enthusiast became a master of his crafts
Stroke by stroke, Winnipeg paddling enthusiast became a master of his crafts

Winnipeg Free Press

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Stroke by stroke, Winnipeg paddling enthusiast became a master of his crafts

Myron Sawatzky has two reasons to be thankful for canoeing. For starters, Sawatzky is the owner of Paddle and Hum, a home-based venture that turns out lightweight solo canoes in a variety of bold colours. Secondly, the married father of four can't say for certain whether he and his Winnipeg-born wife Cyndi would ever have tied the knot, had it not been for a soul-searching canoe ride he took almost 30 years ago. Sawatzky grew up in Abbotsford, B.C. In the summer of 1997, the then-21-year-old was camping with friends at Kenyon Lake, in the lower mainland. Unable to sleep the first night there, he went for a paddle by himself under the stars. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Paddle and Hum owner Myron Sawatzky builds lightweight solo canoes in a backyard shed he converted into his workshop. 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BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Paddle and Hum — a play on the 1988 U2 album Rattle and Hum — was founded in 2019. 'For the first five years I was only making two canoes a year, mostly because with four kids life can get pretty busy, right?' Sawatzky says. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'That said, this spring I started doing public markets for the first time, as a way to determine how much mileage the business has in it if I was to invest a little more time and effort.' Then again, there are ramifications to be wary of, if Paddle and Hum truly sets sail, he acknowledges. 'The Canadian Shield is one of my favourite places on Earth — I take people there all the time — so yeah, I'd never want to get so busy building that I'd lose the opportunity to get out there myself.' For more information go to David Sanderson Dave Sanderson was born in Regina but please, don't hold that against him. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Documentary details fall of former broadcaster once dubbed ‘sexiest man in Winnipeg'
Documentary details fall of former broadcaster once dubbed ‘sexiest man in Winnipeg'

Toronto Star

time09-05-2025

  • Toronto Star

Documentary details fall of former broadcaster once dubbed ‘sexiest man in Winnipeg'

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