Texas A&M’s Smith arrested on DWI, weapons, pot charges

Renaming schools a ‘teachable moment’ in Canada’s history

Niji Mahkwa School is an anomaly — not only because of its holistic programming or because it is one of few schools in the province’s largest division whose name is a nod to an Indigenous concept.

Nearly 30 years after the Winnipeg elementary school was given its name by a student who dreamt of it and elders who endorsed it, the values Niji Mahkwa represents still reflect ones held today by students, teachers and families alike.

The translation of the Anishinaabemowin phrase into English is, “my friend the bear,” or “brother, sister bear.”

“Our names tell us who we are and where we come from, and so when we look at this name, it tells us about the bear — it represents strength and healing,” said Helen Robinson-Settee, a former teacher-librarian who worked at the school when it was renamed in the mid-90s.

Public health rules protests highlight continued divisions

Two local rallies in two days against incoming public health orders have left some southern Manitoba leaders disavowing the method, with others stopping short at disavowing the message.

After the province announced proof of immunization would be required for health-care workers, teachers and correctional centre employees starting Sept. 3 — and without such proof Manitobans would not be able to take part in a variety of public activities — rallies Sunday and Monday drew more than 1,000 people each on Highway 32, just south of Winkler.

In nearby Morden, Mayor Brandon Burley didn’t mince words criticizing leadership that wouldn’t publicly reject the rationale behind the gatherings.

"I think right now there's a serious issue with regards to the voices that are being heard, and the voices that are being loud and the voices that are being most prominent. And right now, the voices we need to be establishing as municipal leaders is that vaccines are necessary, and vaccines are the only way we're going to get through this quickly and efficiently,” he said Tuesday.

Organ donation update a small step in right direction

About 200 people in Manitoba are on a waiting list for a kidney transplant. Too many of them will die waiting.

Manitoba has one of the highest numbers of patients in need of organ transplants, and one of the lowest rates of registration.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Cameron Friesen announced the province is retiring paper organ-donor cards and moving the process entirely online, via the signupforlife.ca website.

Mr. Friesen indicated the province is choosing to focus on educating people about registering as a donor before considering a presumed-consent model — recently adopted in Nova Scotia — where those who don’t wish to donate can opt out.

Churchill draws scientists from around the world researching impacts of climate change

CHURCHILL — There is something special about this town.

People who have been here know, though it is challenging to describe. Those who haven’t are told tales of a nearly mystical small community, the unique geography and the magnificent wildlife.

Exactly what makes it such a special place is hard to define, but whatever that intrinsic character is, it acts as a magnetic force for humans and animals alike.

Every summer — as if on cue — the sleek white backs of more than 50,000 beluga whales begin peeking out of the waters of southwestern Hudson Bay as they return to the estuaries of northern Manitoba. Their fidelity to this summer habitat is centuries old, passed on from one generation to the next. This loyalty to the region ensures for as long as this site is safe, these alien-like, curious whales will continue to return.

With Roe v. Wade set to fall, this doctor’s clinic and others like it may emerge as America’s safe havens for abortion

As the sun sets on abortion rights held up by Roe v. Wade, it’s a patchwork of determined medical providers who are holding up abortion rights for the U.S.

Klein’s entrance adds spark to ho-hum mayoral race

Until this week, Winnipeg’s mayoral race looked less like a democratic contest and more like a coronation.

It appeared Mayor Scott Gillingham was a shoo-in to win a second term. There were no obvious challengers with the political profile, organization or credibility to make his re-election bid uncomfortable.

That changed Tuesday: Kevin Klein is back.

The former city councillor and provincial cabinet minister is launching his second campaign for mayor, turning what looked like a sleepy election into something that resembles an actual race.