Running Wild Running Free captures the pent-up frustration of living in lockdown—a Universal experience for all Canadians who had to endure the excruciatingly long past two years.

The single, released by Icelandic-Canadian Mackenzie Kristjon, kicks off This Mad Desires' upcoming album Open Hearts Open Minds.

https://thismaddesire.net/home

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

In 1987 Manitoba passed the Human Rights Code, protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation, prompting the official Pride March in Winnipeg. 🏳️‍🌈

Thirty-five years later, Pride Winnipeg has grown to include communities of diverse sexualities, gender identities, and relationships. Although society has developed tremendously since the first Pride event, we must continue to fight for the rights of all generations to come.

https://pridewinnipeg.com/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

You don’t have far to experience the magic and beauty of Iceland, with Gimli host to the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba. 

In anticipation of the festival, a poetry and shorty story contest is held, inviting writers worldwide to showcase their creativity in the written arts. This year’s theme is the Spirit of Iceland. 

To tell us more is festival board member Angela Collins.

https://www.icelandicfestival.com/festival-events/contests/poetry-short-story-contest

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Since 2016, a women-led group has been keeping the North Point Douglas community safe through community service, activism, and engagement. The women of Mama Bear Clan have done so much to support their community, donating time and energy to make a difference. 

Grace Akerstream Laing is the Coordinator for the Mama Bear Clan. Find out what is needed to help improve the conditions of others, create unity, and address systemic challenges those struggling are facing.

https://www.npdwc.org/in-the-community.html

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Dorothy Visser is a residential school survivor. Almost 83 years old, Dorothy remembers life before residential school and shares what she experienced in the residential school, both good and bad.

Dorothy's focus is on healing her communities through Language, culture and faith.

If you are a residential school survivor, please, share your story and speak freely with us. Contact U Multicultural at [email protected].

For support or assistance, please reach The Indian Residential  School Survivors Society toll-free at 1 (800) 721-0066 or 24hr Crisis Line 1 (866) 925-4419.

Whether performing to an audience, a small group, or himself, Justin Lacroix creates music merging Francophone and Anglophone communities.

The importance of supporting our communities, celebrating diversity in music, and tangents on ancient Neolithic instruments and how sounds are made in movies is what you can expect in this episode of U Talk.

http://www.justinlacroix.com/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Three talented and accomplished musicians created a new EP, The Walls. Myana draws inspiration from its Cuban and Canadian members' roots in its post-pop sound.

Bassist Ernesto, Drummer Roselin, and vocalist/guitarist Nicholas share their story from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao.

https://www.instagram.com/myanamusic/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

The past few years have seen an explosion of diversity in the film industry—films featuring diverse creators, stories, and cultures.

What if I told you there were creators from the Asian diaspora creating movies here in Manitoba? Starting May 13, the FascinAsian Film  Festival showcases films in Winnipeg and Calgary made by creators in  Manitoba, across Canada, and the United States.

https://fascinasian.ca/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

May 2-8 is Mental Health Week for the Canadian mental Health Association.

The pandemic has only increased the challenges people face with mental health. There are services and programs available if you or someone you’re close to is struggling, and we have the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba to talk to us about that.

http://www.mooddisordersmanitoba.ca/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Incorporated last year to address different needs in the community, Community Helpers Unite has three goals:

1) Open a permitted community kitchen to upcycle food into meals;

2) Deliver free cooking and grocery classes to marginalized groups;

3) Provide volunteer opportunities to those with barriers to employment.

Want to volunteer or support? Contact [email protected].

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.