Press release

FORT FRANCES – The Ontario government is providing more than $890,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to five economic development projects in the Rainy River District. This investment will improve municipal and recreational infrastructure, expand company operations, and create employment in Northwestern Ontario. “Our government understands the […]

By Eric Shih
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Leaders of Pride organizations across the region are mindful of safety concerns as they plan their events this month. Kenora Pride chair Andréa Campbell said they have always had to have security for events.  “It’s not new that there’s a need for security,” she said. “Our flag raising this year […]

Staff

Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario (IPCO) have announced they will be heading to a Federal Court Hearing on IPCO’s motion for emergency injunctive relief. As of March 31, three Indigenous police services – Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS), Anishinabek Police Service (APS), UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service (UCCM) – have no […]

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 […]