A project by Indigital Storytelling, explores the ways in which Métis elders, adults and youth living in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta understand their identity and the nature of contact and communication between these three generations.
In this series of short digital stories, learn how intergenerational relationships shape Métis identity, how they relate to the overall health and well-being of Métis peoples and where Métis peoples may be headed in the future.
Summer brings a lot of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the outdoors!
Resource
Printable poster When it’s hot
For the second year in a row, the Healthy Living Team launched the Love My Community Challenge to coincide with Mental Health Week in May. While last year’s initiative was directed at schools, this year we expanded the challenge to include organizations, businesses and community groups throughout the Southern Health-Santé Sud (SH-SS) region.
Originally created by students at Roseau Valley School in southern Manitoba, Love My Community Day began as a grassroots effort to spread kindness, create joy and strengthen connections across generations. The initiative encourages people to engage in small, meaningful actions that support both personal and community mental well-being.
Inspired by that vision, our team worked to extend the movement region-wide, inviting all schools and classrooms to take part by completing a community-focused project. These projects could be anything from neighborhood walks and cleanup efforts to intergenerational events, collaborative art nights or senior outreach activities. The possibilities to show appreciation and care for our communities are endless!
This year, 10 schools and classrooms submitted incredible projects that showcased creativity and compassion. Activities included movie nights, BBQs, street hockey games, mini pow wow, community clean-ups, handwritten thank-you notes, inspiring chalk messages, Pink Shirt Day events, and even beautifying local soccer fields.
To add a little extra motivation, five participating schools were randomly selected to receive a $200 prize to be used toward a classroom celebration—an opportunity to come together, build connections, and support mental well-being in a fun and meaningful way.
We were also thrilled to see several community organizations join the challenge this year. Their contributions included kindness rocks, Earth Day initiatives, senior lunches, parades, presentations, children’s concerts, art projects, and much more—each bringing joy and positive energy to their communities.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the schools, classrooms and organizations that participated and helped foster a culture of kindness, connection and mental wellness. Your efforts have a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the challenge itself.
We hope the Love My Community Challenge continues to grow in the years ahead—and that even more schools and groups are inspired to get involved. Together, we can build stronger, more connected and more compassionate communities.
A CuddleCot was generously donated to Bethesda Regional Health Centre by Manitoba Angel Dresses, a non-profit organization that provides layettes to grieving families of infant loss.
Manitoba Angel Dresses was founded in 2014 and is run by a dedicated group of volunteers. Since 2014 Manitoba Angel Dresses has created 6,013 layettes. Volunteer seamstresses from across Manitoba sew layettes from mostly repurposed wedding gowns, and in 2022 began making knitted and crocheted layettes as well. If you are interested in volunteering for this organization please fill out the volunteer form on their website.
The CuddleCot is a cooling device that supports bereavement care for grieving parents by extending the time they have with their baby. This device is a welcome addition at Bethesda Regional Health Centre where it will be an immense support for our Labour, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum unit. Southern Health-Santé Sud extends heartfelt thanks to Manitoba Angel Dresses for their donation.
Inclusion Winnipeg is hosting the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to deliver a lunch time presentation on the Disability Tax Credit (and related credits/benefits) and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). This is a free event open to all. Please share the TEAMS link below with anyone who may be interested.
June 5, 2025 from 12-1 pm – event details:
Join the TEAMS meeting now
Meeting ID: 271 747 401 316
Passcode: 5gi3N7bB
In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st and National Indigenous History Month in June, here are some ideas of how you can celebrate and learn more about the rich cultures, traditions, histories and achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across this land known as Turtle Island. Attend a Pow Wow this summer, visit the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) website to see the SCO Nation Pow Wows: SCO Nation Pow Wows: Summer 2025 – Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc.
Learn more about the Witness Blanket, this monumental work of art honours the Survivors of Canada’s Residential Schools. You can visit the Canadian Human Rights Museum website to see the Witness Blanket – Explore the Blanket | The Witness Blanket and you can bear witness to the stories that have been shared – Bear witness | The Witness Blanket.
Watch the documentary film – Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket | CMHR.
Stay informed – sign up for the Biidaajimowin Newsletter from the Winnipeg Free Press.
Parachute is Canada’s national charity dedicated to injury prevention. Safe Kids Week is Parachute’s annual awareness campaign designed to bring attention to predictable and preventable injuries in children.
Parachute celebrates Safe Kids Week June 2 to June 8, 2025, this year with the theme of #KidsAndConcussions.
Learn more about concussion causes, how they can be prevented, signs and symptoms, what to do if concussions happen, and learn about myths vs facts.
The Jubilee Fund helps finance the work of social enterprises, non-profits, cooperatives or charities that support Manitobans affected by poverty. Jubilee fund is a charity, and Manitoba’s only charitable ethical investment fund.
Manitobans invest in Jubilee Fund using a GIC model. Investments are pooled into an interest-bearing account. Qualifying organizations receive loan guarantees, direct loans or bridge financing.
Organizations repay loans (which builds their credit and/or assets!) We use repaid loan funds to provide more financing to more organizations helping fight poverty.
The Manitoba government is increasing the Orange Shirt Day Fund and encouraging eligible organizations to apply.
The province is allocating up to $1 million for the Orange Shirt Day Fund in 2025. The fund will provide one-time grant funding for projects and initiatives that raise awareness of Orange Shirt Day, honour survivors and create opportunities for Manitobans to come together in observation, reflection and commemoration.
Eligible applicants include grassroots or non-profit organizations, Indigenous nations, communities and organizations, educational institutions and municipal governments throughout Manitoba.
In December 2023, the Manitoba government established Sept. 30 as Orange Shirt Day, a provincial statutory holiday.
Applications for the fund are now open. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as incoming proposals will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on June 16. For more information on the grant program, including eligibility and how to apply.
June is Pride month in Canada.
This is an opportunity for us to commit to learning and unlearning certain biases, and honor the stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and other sexual and gender diverse (2SLGBTQQIA+) people, and ask how we can work together to build a more equitable future.
To learn more about events happening throughout Manitoba, visit:
