By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Thunder Bay, Ont. — A new partnership between Confederation College and the Thunder Bay District Social Services Board (TBDSSAB) will provide an opportunity for individuals currently employed in early-year childcare programs and centres the ability to obtain their Early Childhood Education diploma. The Fast-Track ECE program is designed to offer […]

Elisa Nguyen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
enguyen@fortfrances.com

Couchiching First Nation is preparing for their 30th annual traditional powwow and organizers say they are looking forward to seeing the community come together with singing and dancing. “Now you see young ones that are taking up [singing and dancing] at like kindergarten grade. You’re getting that lifetime of exposure […]

From Voyageur National Park

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN – In response to the discovery of zebra mussel veligers (larvae) in Black Bay of Rainy Lake in late 2021, Voyageurs staff is continuing a containment and prevention program. This program involves educational activities as well as new management operations related to Kettle Falls and Gold Portage […]

By Shari Narine
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Windspeaker.com

Indigenous tourism in Canada is a growing attraction, said federal Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault, with at least one-third of international travelers and one-third of Canadian travelers wanting the “Indigenous authentic experience.” Despite those statistics, there were no dedicated dollars in the last federal budget for Indigenous tourism in the $158 […]

By Eric Shih
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A trip to the nation’s capital was meant to give a better snapshot of realities for social service providers in northern Ontario. The chief administrative officer for the Kenora District Services Board joined his counterparts from the Thunder Bay and Cochrane districts in Ottawa on a lobbying trip to meet […]

(KENORA, ON) – The Kenora Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) with the assistance of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Canine unit (K9) are searching for a missing male near Vermillion Bay.  Police located an abandoned motor vehicle west of Vermillion Bay on June 2, 2023. An investigation began and police are […]

(FORT FRANCES, ON) – A motor vehicle collision (MVC) that caused slow moving traffic on Highway 11 near Hill Road has resulted in minor injuries. On June 6, 2023, members of the Rainy River District Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachments, as well as Rainy River District Emergency Medical Services (EMS), […]

By Daniel Adam
Staff Writer
dadam@fortfrances.com

Doug and Kathy Johnson have owned Hideaway Lodge on Clearwater (Burditt) Lake since 1992. Three years ago, COVID-19 led to borders shutting down non-essential travel, meaning the lodge had no guests. “We were devastated,” says Kathy. “We’re still behind the eight ball.” The Johnsons are in their 60s and were […]

Elisa Nguyen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
enguyen@fortfrances.com

Grand Council Treaty #3 Anishinaabe Nation has been called “Powwow County” for their abounding list of Powwows often hosted in the summer, bringing together many different Nations and providing communities with a chance to gather together and celebrate. “The Powwow trail is pretty amazing and strong,” said Sandy Bruyere, one […]

By Daniel Adam
Staff Writer
dadam@fortfrances.com

A major storm downed multiple trees at Caliper Lake Provincial Park last July, with some of them falling on campers, cars, and roadways. Trevor Gibb of Ontario Parks says the storm caused “extensive” tree damage. Despite the destruction, the park reopened on schedule just a few weeks ago. Gibb said […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

With files from United Beef Club press reporter Kennah LeBlanc Local youth are getting hands on experience in a variety of agriculture-related fields as they work towards the Emo Fall Fair. The United Beef Club, operating out of Stratton, has had two meetings so far this summer as part of […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

As warmer weather envelops the region, forest fires become more and more likely, and the season is already underway. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry announced there have been two new forest fires reported in the northwest fire region as of 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The […]