Latest news with #OpaskwayakCreeNation
CTV News
20-05-2025
- CTV News
Manitoba man who died fighting for Ukraine to be honoured
Austin Lathlin-Bercier poses in this undated family handout photo. A northern Manitoba man who went to fight alongside the Ukrainian army has died, the chief of Opaskwayak Cree Nation said Tuesday. (Handout, Faith Lathlin-Bercier/The Canadian Press)
Winnipeg Free Press
10-05-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sponsored Content How Vertical Farming Is Strengthening Food Security in Manitoba
The Problem For decades, food insecurity has plagued Manitoba's isolated northern communities. In these areas, high transportation costs make healthy food harder to find and more expensive for individuals and families. Dr. Miyoung Suh, professor in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences at UM Now, rising tensions – including U.S. threats to place tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports – are exposing vulnerabilities in Canada's food supply chains. If trade is disrupted, it could become even more difficult to get affordable produce into remote areas. 'Food security is increasingly tied to global trade dynamics,' says Dr. Miyoung Suh, a professor in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba (UM). 'When access to affordable, high-quality foods is restricted, we see rising rates of diabetes and obesity, especially in northern Indigenous communities. The Solution In response, a team from UM is working in Northern Manitoba with Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) to address health challenges and support local food sovereignty. Together, they identified a local solution: Smart Vertical Farming (SMART-VF). This innovative, space-efficient system uses computer-monitored lighting and climate control to grow fresh herbs and vegetables year-round. By producing food directly in the community, SMART-VF reduces reliance on costly imports and ensures a steady supply of fresh food. Suh says the concept is showing promise. Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) Smart Vertical Farming 'The ability to grow food locally – regardless of what's happening south of the border – offers communities a measure of sovereignty and stability,' Suh says. 'We're not just trying to improve fresh vegetables access; we're trying to change the trajectory of chronic health conditions to help combat disease. Initial research with these vegetables has already shown encouraging results in reducing blood pressure and obesity, with further data on diabetes expected by the end of 2025. The Impact By supporting communities to produce their own food, this research reduces dependency on imports and creates year-round access to fresh, nutritious food. 'For generations, colonialism has disrupted our connection to the land and traditional food systems. SMART-VF gives us the tools to grow food on our terms, provide food security and build a healthier future within our community', explains Stephanie Cook, Smart Farm Manager at the Opaskwayak Health Authority. 'We're not just trying to improve food access; we're trying to change the trajectory of chronic health conditions' This local supply helps lower costs and barriers, while strengthening local economic development. 'The produce will be cheaper, making it more affordable. It will also be more accessible, making it easier for people to buy vegetables and incorporate them into their everyday diet,' Suh says. 'Additionally, the facility will provide employment opportunities in crop management and tech-driven agriculture.' For nearly 150 years, the University of Manitoba has transformed lives through groundbreaking research and homegrown innovation. We push the boundaries of knowledge and do the hard work here in Manitoba to move our community and the world forward. Our researchers tackle society's most pressing challenges, from healthcare and sustainability to Arctic accessibility and security, delivering solutions that make a real impact. With a spirit of determination and discovery, we are shaping a better future for our province and beyond.
Winnipeg Free Press
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hundreds evacuated because of Peguis wildfires
A house was destroyed and 340 people were evacuated because of wildfires in Peguis First Nation this weekend. Peguis, which has the biggest population of Manitoba's First Nations, said 217 evacuees were registered in Winnipeg and 123 were registered in Selkirk. The Interlake community declared a state of emergency at about 4 p.m. Sunday. In addition to the home, several garages and outbuildings were destroyed, Peguis stated in a Facebook post late Monday morning. High winds, hot temperatures and dry conditions threatened homes across the community, and power outages were widespread because of downed power lines. The main wildfire was under control late Monday morning, but small bush fires continued to burn, Peguis said. Damage is still being assessed. Fire crews and other people from several other First Nations helped in the effort, Peguis said. The First Nation previously said it has temporarily banned the use of off-road vehicles in the community to reduce the risk of more fires. Peguis had earlier asked community members to stay away from roads leading to areas affected by fire. The Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, a partnership composed of Peguis and six other First Nations, said two other Interlake communities — Kinonjeoshtegon (also known as Jackhead) and Pinaymootang (also known as Fairford) — are also affected by the fires. 'Tragically, homes in both Fairford and Peguis have already been lost to the flames,' the council said in a news release Monday. Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. Further north, Opaskwayak Cree Nation said late Sunday that a mandatory evacuation order for residents of the Bracken Dam area because of wildfires remains in effect. Residents of the Big Eddy and Carrot River areas, who were also evacuated Sunday, were allowed to return home but told to remain 'on high alert.' Two schools and a child care centre on OCN, which is located near The Pas, were closed Monday because of the situation. In Winnipeg, fire crews extinguished two grass fires Sunday. Crews were sent to the 300 block of McPhillips Street at 8:08 p.m. and declared the fire under control by 8:55 p.m. At 8:29 p.m., crews were sent to a blaze in the green space behind Dakota Community Centre at 1188 Dakota St. The fire was about the size of four football fields and was threatening nearby structures. Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service had the blaze fire under control at 9:57 p.m. fpcity@
