The Opaskwayak Cree Nation will be holding a community meeting tonight with the Lands and Natural Resources department to provide updates on the Land Exchange.

This meeting will cover various updates, including changes to PR 285 and Borrow Pits, the Stony Point Addition to the Reserve, and the OCN 21B Additions. Additional topics will include Provincial Trunk Highway 10 South and the Rocky Lake Access Road.

The meeting will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Constant Room at the Kikiwak Inn. Refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be given to attendees. For more information, please contact Lands and Natural Resources at 204-627-7148.

The grinning treat that can’t be beat is back at Tim Hortons — that’s right, Smile Cookies are here! Available from today until Sunday, May 3, these smiling frosted chocolate chip cookies aren’t just a sweet treat.

All proceeds from the purchase of Smile Cookies are donated to a local charity or community group by Tim Hortons! This year, the group receiving donations is The Pas and Area Animal Shelter, an organization that cares for stray animals and finds them their forever homes.

So, help support a great cause and satisfy your sweet tooth by purchasing a Smile Cookie (or two!) this week — and feel good knowing that you’re not the only one smiling!

After a water main break caused it to be postponed for a few weeks, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #19 here in The Pas is happy to announce the return of Legion Bingo next week!

 

Happening on Wednesdays at 7 PM, with four rounds—each featuring cash prizes and a jackpot—Legion Bingo has been a staple and beloved community event for many years. The Legion has been working hard to get it back up and running.

 

For those wanting to purchase bingo cards, they can be bought at the Christ Church Parish Hall, across from The Pas Regional Library, starting April 28th. Cards will be available on Tuesdays from 10 AM to 4 PM and Wednesdays from 10 AM to 6 PM, until the Legion is able to sell them from the hall again. Please note, there is no ATM on-site, so buyers will need to bring cash.

 

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #19 thanks you for your patience during this time and encourages you to check their Facebook page for any updates on Bingo or any other events.

Today is Earth Day, a day to show our love for planet Earth, and there are some local events to help you celebrate being green!

 

The UCN Sustainability Committee will be holding a plant and seed swap event in The Pas Campus’ Lobby from noon to 6 PM, with live demonstrations on how to care for plants, take and prepare plant cuttings, start growing from seeds, and much more to help you cultivate your green thumb.

 

OCN Jordan’s Principle will be holding a contest to see how you care for our planet. Simply send a picture of you and your family or friends caring for Earth—whether by cleaning up garbage, recycling, walking, biking, or other activities—to hailey.flett-chamberlain@ocnhealth.com. Entries close at 4:30 PM, and winners will be contacted on April 23.

 

So, help celebrate our beautiful planet and ensure a sustainable future this Earth Day here in The Pas and OCN!

An Orange weather alert was issued in Manitoba yesterday due to a strong spring storm expected to hit the province, covering from April 22 to April 25. The storm is expected to bring a mix of rain, snow, and freezing rain, starting Wednesday evening.

 

The effects will vary depending on your location in Manitoba. The south is expected to see more rain, while the north is anticipated to experience more snow. Heavy snow is expected on Thursday, with 25-50 cm possible in the hardest-hit regions, including Gillam, Flin Flon, and Thompson.

 

A band of freezing rain is expected Friday morning north of the Interlakes, with strong northeast winds likely to cause blowing snow. This will make travel hazardous due to poor visibility and slippery surfaces. Power disruptions are also possible due to the strong winds, freezing rain, and heavy snow.

Local hockey fans, it’s time to get excited—the final standings of 102.9 CJAR’s Free NHL Hockey Draft were released yesterday!

After making your picks and waiting through a long, tumultuous season, we finally have our top three winners, along with some fabulous prizes here at the station!

In first place, we have Abel Martin, who entered through Carley Bearing & Auto and has won the grand prize of $200! The two runners-up are R. Lavallee, who entered through The Pas Title Loans, and Braden Kerslake, who entered through Giant Tiger. Both have each won $50 and a radio alarm clock!

We would like to thank our sponsors: Carley Bearing & Auto, Funky Threadz, Gene’s Telecom, Giant Tiger, R.A.G. 1987 LTD., Shane’s, Super Thrifty Drug Mart, and The Pas Title Loans for making the Hockey Draft possible. You can find a complete list of the final standings at these locations and at 102.9 CJAR!

There is still time to sign up for The Pas OCN Chamber of Commerce’s exclusive Chamber After Dark event.

 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the event—promising relaxed conversation, idea-sharing, connection-building, and discussions on local businesses—has been moved to Thursday, April 23. As a result, the registration deadline has also been extended.

 

Registration now closes tomorrow, April 21. Chamber After Dark will take place in the Sam Waller Museum’s Multipurpose Room from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

 

Spots are limited, so reserve yours at thepasocnchamber.ca and join fellow Chamber of Commerce members at Chamber After Dark.

The Pas Skating Club has been working hard to prepare for their Year-End Skating Review tomorrow, and they’re inviting the community to come and enjoy performances from their talented young skaters.

 

The event will take place at the Roy H. Johnston Arena this Saturday, April 18th, at 1 PM. This hour-long show will showcase the dedication and practice that The Pas Skating Club members have put into their craft, featuring music inspired by various classical hits.

 

In addition to the performances, there will be a 50/50 draw, a penny parade, and a raffle offering a variety of great prizes, including the grand prize—a Nintendo Switch 2. The Year-End Skating Review is free to attend, but raffle tickets are $2 each, and it’s $20 to enter the penny parade.

 

The Pas Skating Club would also like to extend their thanks to the local community sponsors and volunteers who helped make this skating season possible.

Yesterday’s heavy snowfall brought life in The Pas to a halt, as many local events scheduled for April 15th were either postponed or cancelled due to dangerous travel conditions.

 

Among the affected events were the Storytellers Film Festival at The Pas Regional Library, which was set to showcase local short films, as well as multiple activities at the Beatrice Wilson Health Centre. These included a Falls Prevention and Foot Care Workshop, Well-Being Wednesday (an event focused on spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional wellness), and Besties for the Resties, a fun activity for friends to enjoy together.

 

Some of these events may be rescheduled, so be sure to keep an eye on the Beatrice Wilson Health Centre’s Facebook page for updates.

Due to flooding at the Royal Canadian Legion caused by a water main break, many beloved community events were postponed until repairs could be made. However, one Legion event will still take place this weekend, just at a different location.

 

The Legion Ladies Auxiliary Meat Draw will be held at The Alouette Hotel on Saturday, April 18th, at 5 PM. It will follow the same format as the usual Meat Draws at the Legion, but will be hosted at this alternative location until repairs are finished.

 

The Legion Ladies Auxiliary extends their thanks to Jen and Jeremy at The Alouette Hotel for generously allowing the use of their space, enabling the continuation of fundraising efforts while the Legion Branch is under repair.

Whether your child has created a product for sale or has a service to offer our community, they can showcase either at the second annual Children’s Business Fair.

It takes place Saturday, May 9th, from 10 am to noon at the Roy H. Johnston Arena.

Sandra Shapiro with Community Futures Cedar Lake Region says they hope to fill all ten spaces and shares that they have provided some advice for participants this year.
 

Shapiro reminds us that registration wraps up today at 4:30 pm.

To sign up, go to the Community Futures Cedar Lake Region Facebook page or scan the QR code on the posters around town.

The registration period for one of the most anticipated annual Opaskwayak Indigenous Days events, the Indigenous Days Princess Pageants, is almost closed! Taking place annually in August, and held in Opaskwayak Cree Nation, this keystone traditional event invites young girls to celebrate the diversity, strength and beauty of Indigenous traditions, leadership, and community pride, while empowering their own voice through displays of talent and self-expression.

 

Girls ages 5 to 18 are invited to participate in one of three categories, Tiny Tot, Junior, and Senior Princess divisions, with the addition of their non-competitive Angel Princess position. The winners in each category are crowned and serve as cultural ambassadors for the year. Girls of all personalities are encouraged to apply.

 

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, April 7^th, so if your child wants to take part in one of the Pageants, contact Princess Pageant Director Nicole Ducharme-Chief at 431-355-0476. Further information can also be found on the Opaskwayak Indigenous Days Facebook page.

The Pas OCN Chamber of Commerce is launching a member-exclusive event, Chamber After Dark.

 

This event promises a relaxing evening for chamber members, giving them a chance to unwind, share ideas with other members, build connections, and have some genuine discussions about the opportunities and challenges in our local business community.

 

Chamber After Dark will take place in the Sam Waller Museum’s Multipurpose Room on April 15^th, from 6:30 to 8 PM. Light refreshments will be served during the event.

 

Spots are limited, so RSVP yours at thepasocnchamber.ca by April 10^th to ensure you can spend time with the Chamber After Dark.

The Opaskwayak Cree Nation will be hosting their Annual General Assembly next week, and is inviting those within OCN to come and take part.

 

During the Assembly, they will be discussing the 2024/2025 Audit Report with Baker Tilly HMA LLP, as well as holding an open house with the service branches in OCN.

 

The meeting will take place in the OCN Veterans Hall on Wednesday, April 8^th, starting at 10 AM. Breakfast will be held at 9, lunch at 12, and supper at 5. There are also door prizes to be won.

 

For more information, you can email executive@opaskwayak.ca.