Montrealer’s graphic novel a finalist for Shields Prize

Folklorama unites Canadians of all ethnicities

On Wednesday night, I found myself sitting at a cafeteria table with a bunch of strangers in an elementary school gymnasium, watching a high-octane tae kwon do demonstration set to Korean pop music.

Where else but Folklorama could you have such a surreal experience?

First, a confession: before I finagled my way onto Wednesday night's VIP bus tour -- which is kind of like a pub crawl for the older set -- I hadn't been to the festival since I was a teenager. Back then, it was mostly obligatory. I dutifully supported the pavilions friends were representing as proud and vaguely embarrassed youth ambassadors, decked out in resplendent cultural dress so far removed from the jeans and T-shirts I saw them in every day.

But once I got there, I was always struck by the strong sense of community. And I always had fun. I loved seeing the fruits of the dance classes they spent their evenings and weekends in. I admired how connected many of them were to their roots; it made me want to learn more about mine. Like many third-generation Canadians, I have roots in many countries: Italy, Austria, Ireland, Scotland and England, to name a few.

Pars a plenty in The Pas

North of Lake Winnipegosis, just on the Manitoba side of the Saskatchewan border, lies The Pas.

The town is one of the oldest of Manitoba’s northern communities and was once a thriving pulp and paper town. Most of the community is still in good shape, although showing its age.

Across the river is the impressive Opaskwayak Cree Nation, with its new mall and impressive hotel and casino. VIA Rail services these communities which makes for a nice mid-week or long-weekend getaway without the stress of driving.

If you do take the train, throw your sticks onto the platform. There are many activities to take in while you are there, and one of those activities is golf.

Jets’ Niederreiter looks for bounce-back season after return to full health

Nino Niederreiter called it the equivalent of playing on one leg.

Whether you’ve played one NHL game or more than 1,000 — like Niederreiter has — it’s not hard to quantify just how big a difference it is to be at full health. And after a season of reaching the millennium mark and suiting up for Switzerland at the 2026 Olympics, the Swiss forward is noticeably moving with a lot more spring in his step in what is his 16th NHL training camp.

Limited to just 61 games last season, Niederreiter’s production was also way down, with eight goals and 19 points — his lowest total since recording one goal in 55 games during his first full season with the New York Islanders in 2011-12.

“I mean, the biggest thing was definitely health,” said Niederreiter. “I mean, if you only have one functional knee, it doesn’t get you up to speed. So that’s something which I know I had a chance to repair and recover from. So, I feel great out there. So that’s something which I know I’m going to be better at.”

China keeps perfect record going in Olympic weightlifting

Correctional Services Canada is reopening prison farms. But in B.C., where it has no such programs, a wife and her late husband, who killed a man in a botched holdup, started Emma’s Acres, a unique prison farm she hopes to see expanded.

Sandy Hook parents: Alex Jones claims created ‘living hell’

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Fighting back tears and finally given the chance to confront conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, the parents of a 6-year-old killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting described being put through a “living hell” of death threats, harassment and ongoing trauma over the last decade caused by Jones using his media platforms to push claims that it was all a hoax.

The parents led a day of charged testimony that included the judge scolding the bombastic Jones for not being truthful with some of what he said under oath.

Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, whose son Jesse was killed at Sandy Hook, took the witness stand Tuesday on the final day of testimony in the two-week defamation damages trial against Jones and his media company Free Speech Systems. They are seeking at least $150 million in damages.

In a gripping exchange, Lewis spoke directly to Jones, who was sitting about 10 feet away. Earlier that day, Jones was on his broadcast program telling his audience that Heslin is “slow” and being manipulated by bad people.

Dynacare must treat workers fairly: health minister

Manitoba’s health minister defended the government’s contract with Dynacare, saying the for-profit company is expected to treat its workers fairly — but wouldn’t say if that expectation was spelled out in the deal.

The 350 private lab workers, who are represented by the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, have been without a contract since March 31 and went on strike on Sept. 8.

The Manitoba Labour Board ordered them back to work and they returned to the job one day later.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara was asked Wednesday about the lack of an essential services agreement and why the government didn’t intervene in March, knowing that a labour dispute could interrupt community lab services.