It's a busy day at the 61st annual Opaskwayak Indigenous Days, with a full lineup of family-friendly events taking place throughout the community today.

The day gets underway with the Tomahawk and Little Bigfoot clues and the Grocery Scramble posted online, while Elder and Pre-Elder races, the 50-plus Mountain Bike Race, Angel Races and Children's Races keep participants active throughout the morning.

At noon, everyone is invited to a free Children's Barbecue at OID Park, followed this afternoon by the free Elders Feast and Bingo at the Veterans Hall and the Gladys Munro Memorial Jigging Competition at Otineka Mall.

Tonight, the celebration continues with Couples Night, Call of the Wild, the live Princess Draws and the OID Princess Pageant.

The Rod McGillivary Memorial Care Home is calling all artists; they are holding a logo design contest to find a new, original logo. They are looking for a logo that reflects the Seven Sacred Teachings, their culture, community, and residents.

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Artists are encouraged to incorporate as much of the following as possible into their design. The Seven Sacred Teachings, the Four Directions, or Medicine Wheel colours, land, water and nature, holistic wellness- including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual- as well as respect for Elders, culture and community, and a place where everyone feels welcome and respected.

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All designs must be original and can be hand-drawn or digitally created. Artists are asked to include their name, phone number, email address, and a short description explaining the meaning of their design in their submission.

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A review committee will select the winning design. The artist who creates the winning logo will receive a $1500 cash prize. Logos must be submitted no later than September 4th, and all submissions must be emailed to breanne.cowley@opaskwayak.ca

If you're heading to OID celebrations this week, Otineka Mall is introducing some fun new competitions with a chance to win cash prizes.

A youth jigging contest is taking place this afternoon.

Tomorrow, the mall will host two new cultural contests beginning at noon. Men can compete for the Best Beaded Medallion, while women can show off their creativity in the Biggest Auntie Earrings competition. Entries must be homemade and cannot use someone else's work. Registration opens at 11:30 a.m., with the first 10 contestants accepted in each age category.

Children’s games will be running in the afternoons from Tuesday to Thursday.

Wednesday elders games will take place, including bingo, dice and card games, and movin’ on up.

Then on Thursday, the popular Chug-A-Lug Contest and hot wing eating contests will take place at noon.

And Friday, a traditional leather outfit contest will wrap up the Otineka Mall celebrations.

Next week, the 61st Opaskwayak Indigenous Days will be held in The Pas and OCN, celebrating Indigenous heritage. Events will take place each day from the 9th to the 16th, ranging from cultural activities, sporting events, entertainment, traditional celebrations, and community gatherings.

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Here, Vice Chair for Opaskwayak Indigenous Days, Jennifer Dionne, talks about some of the things to look forward to next week.

The theme this year is Year Of The Chiefs, honouring the leaders of the past and recognizing those carrying the responsibility today. Jennifer says a kids and youth triathlon and princess pageant will kick off the festivities on August 9th.

Strong mental health is an important part of living a healthy, balanced life, and local residents have an opportunity to learn valuable skills through a series of free workshops offered by The Pas Friendship Centre in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Upcoming sessions include Understanding PTSD, a two-part online workshop on August 19 and 26, designed to help participants recognize trauma, understand its effects, and explore treatment and self-help options.

On August 25, participants can attend Welcome to CMHA OCD and Hoarding Services, an online session introducing available supports and resources for people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder and hoarding disorder.

The series concludes on August 27 with Addiction and the Brain, an online workshop exploring how addiction affects the brain and highlighting practical strategies for recovery and well-being.

All sessions are free, available online through Zoom, with an option to attend in person at The Pas Friendship Centre. Preregistration is encouraged, and everyone is welcome.

Supporters will gather in The Pas this evening for the 7th Annual Remembering Kendara Memorial Walk, an event that continues to raise awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People, while honouring the life of Kendara Ballantyne.

The walk begins behind UCN, with participants gathering at 5 o'clock, opening remarks at 5:15, and the walk getting underway at 5:30. This year's route will finish at Devon Park, where dignitary speakers and a community barbecue will follow.

The annual memorial is a reminder that families are still searching for answers and justice.

Community members are encouraged to wear red and stand together in support of victims, survivors and families affected by the ongoing MMIWG2S crisis.

Following the event, participants will also help refresh the red ribbons on the Bignell Bridge, a symbol of remembrance and hope.

August 9th-15th is set to be a busy week in The Pas and OCN as the 61st Opaskwayak Indigenous Days will hold events to celebrate Indigenous heritage and honour Elders, youth, athletes, artists, and community members.

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This year’s theme is Year Of The Chiefs. The week is filled with cultural activities, sporting events, entertainment, traditional celebrations, and community gatherings.

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There will be traditional events, youth and adult sporting events, a canoe classic, OID princess pageant, concerts and entertainment, community meals and barbecues, and various family activities and cultural celebrations. Opaskwayak Indigenous Days has something for everyone to enjoy, with so many ways to celebrate Indigenous peoples.

The Pas RCMP, the Canadian Football League, and the Opasquia Agricultural Society are teaming up to bring the Grey Cup to the community on August 13th.

Residents will have several chances to get a close-up look at the championship trophy, including stops at local seniors’ residences and appearances during the Agricultural Society’s Parade and rodeo events.

The Grey Cup will be on display from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Valhalla Retirement Complex, followed by a stop at St. Paul’s Assisted Living Complex from 2:30 to 3:30.

The trophy will then join the Agricultural Society Parade from 6 to 7 p.m., before heading to the Exhibition Grounds, where it will be available for public viewing from 7 to 9 p.m.

This will be a chance for the community to celebrate football, local pride, and a piece of Canadian sports history.

South Indian Lake RCMP have arrested a 17-year-old following an arson investigation.

Police say just after 2 a.m. on July 31st, officers were notified that the detachment’s generator was on fire. Local volunteer firefighters quickly put out the blaze, which police say was dangerously close to the front of the detachment.

Officers were given a description of a youth seen in the area before the fire. Minutes later, police were called to a local business where several vehicle windows had been smashed. A description from that incident matched the earlier report.

Shortly afterward, RCMP located and arrested the 17-year-old at a residence in the community.

The youth faces charges of arson and three counts of mischief under five thousand dollars under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The teen remains in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.

The Pembina Valley Red Dress Project is coming to The Pas to take part in the 7th annual “Remembering Kendara Memorial Walk” on August 6th. The Red Dress Project is a community initiative in Manitoba honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2-spirited individuals.

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Courtney Yeo-Thiessen is an organizer for the Pembina Valley Red Dress Project. Here she talks about how the Red Dress Project helps educate and bring awareness.

Courtney says the Red Dress Project is accepting red dress donations to add to their installation.

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Kendara Ballantyne was a young Indigenous woman from The Pas. Kendara grew up in The Pas and was a member of the Mosakahiken Cree Nation. She was only 18 years old when she went missing and was later found deceased on August 6th, 2019.

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Kendara’s memorial walk is happening this Thursday. Gathering takes place at 5:00 PM behind UCN, and the walk begins at 5:30. The Pembina Valley Red Dress Project will be at Devon Park West from 1:00-7:00 PM.

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A special red dress with Kendara’s name embroidered on it will be on display to honour her during the memorial walk.

The leaders of several emergency service agencies across the Tri-Community area are inviting residents to pull up a chair, grab a coffee, and have a conversation.

The first-ever Commanders Cup takes place Tuesday, August 4th, from 9 until 10 a.m. at Lyet's Coffee Bar on Fischer Avenue in The Pas.

Commanders from The Pas RCMP, Manitoba First Nation Police Service, The Pas and Opaskwayak Cree Nation fire departments, Manitoba Conservation, Shared Health EMS, The Pas Community Safety Officers, and The Pas Correctional Centre will all be on hand.

The event is designed to give community members a chance to ask questions, share ideas, offer feedback, and discuss how local emergency services can better serve the region. Organizers say it's about building stronger relationships through open, respectful conversation—and if nothing else, enjoying a good cup of coffee together.

A road on the OCN will be closed this week for sewer service maintenance that will be used to connect to the new commercial strip being built north of the Aseneskak Casino.

Piwan Maskanow will be closed to the public starting tomorrow and running to the 14^th.

The closure will run from Highway 10 to Waller Road but should not affect the celebrations happening for OID, which are scheduled to start on August 9^th.

The Nikan Land Base is holding a Gardener's Market on August 7th in Cross Lake, the first of its kind in the area,

They are looking for people to sell their products at the market, including fruits, vegetables, homemade goods, and baking. Grass Roots vendors are invited to set up their booths outside Family Enhancement in Cross Lake. Vendors can set up and sell at the market on a first-come, first-served basis, with no fee required.

Here, Fawn Morales with the Nikan Land Base talks about what will be included at the market.

Fawn says the market will give shoppers a chance to purchase a variety of products that are not otherwise sold in Cross Lake. Door prizes and food vendors will also be available at the market.

Contact the Nikan Land Base by phone for more information or to answer any questions at 431-264-0034.