By Jack Elliott
Rainy River correspondent

Before the colonization of North America by Europeans, Indigenous agriculture was wide spread but did not resemble the vast intensive agriculture of today nor the settled agriculture of many European cultures. Certainly agriculture of some Indigenous cultures like the Mayans was intensive and the settlements were permanent. But many North […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

Beef and other animal farmers in the Rainy River District can now submit applications to access a portion of the $2-million that was promised by the provincial government to help get herds through the drought conditions the area is experiencing. Announced in a joint press conference by Kenora Rainy River […]

A slate of four contestants have put their name forward to compete in the Emo Fair Queen competition. The 2021 Queen will be crowned Thursday, August 19, at 7 p.m. on the small stage of the fair grounds. Follow their journey through the competition in upcoming editions of the Times. […]

Prizes for Fair Queen Contestants are generously supplied by local businesses and individuals. Emo Fair Queen – $500.00 1st Princess – $400.00 2nd Princess – $300.00 Miss Congeniality Voted by secret ballot by fellow Contestants to the contestant who is most outgoing, friendly and helpful throughout the competition. Miss Congeniality […]

By David Briggs
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Chief Vern Janvier, members of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, and supporters of the cause, are making the long walk to Ottawa with hopes of changing the Indian Act. They began their trek to the capital in Sudbury on July 18 and move 20 kms per day until they reach parliament […]

Police briefs (FORT FRANCES, ON) – On July 25, 2021 at 5:14 p.m. members of the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of an assault with a weapon that occurred at a local business located at the #400 Block of Portage Ave. Police and Ambulance […]

$47,500 awarded for demonstrating leadership and mentorship within school and community Mélanie-Rose Frappier and Alison Lewis, both fourth-year medical students at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), are the inaugural recipients of newly established CIBC Indigenous Learner Leadership Awards. The awards recognize self-identified Indigenous learners at NOSM who demonstrate […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

THUNDER BAY — The first graduates from the Ascend Accelerator program in Lakehead University’s Ingenuity initiative are being celebrated. The program provided support for the development of student-based business ideas while providing opportunities to learn how to overcome the challenges of starting a business and making it a viable enterprise. […]

By Ken Kellar
Staff writer
kkellar@fortfrances.com

Relief is on the way for farmers and agricultural producers in the Rainy River District, but there are worries it won’t be enough. At a press conference held Tuesday afternoon inside the Ontario Crops Research Centre – Emo, formerly the Emo Agricultural Research Station, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford was […]

By Natali Trivuncic
Staff Writer
ntrivuncic@fortfrances.com

The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) has crossed another vaccination milestone, with more than 80 per cent of those aged 18 and older in the region having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, 67 per cent of people aged 12 and older in the region have […]

By Natali Trivuncic
Staff Writer
ntrivuncic@fortfrances.com

Bouncy castles and family games being organized in place of midway After a rocky start, the Emo Fair is underway, and planning is full speed ahead. Angela Halvorsen, board member of the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society, said they received the go ahead in early July and since then they […]

By Rebecca Wood
Special to the Times

Restrictions have eased and Smear players have started shuffling in again. As we have computer classes on Tuesdays, for the time being we will be playing cards on Monday and Friday at 1:15 p.m. The Wednesday drop-in will take place Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, as the afternoon is […]