As we're looking ahead to spring and summer and COVID restrictions easing in many provinces, many are cautiously optimistic about what the future holds for festivals and cultural events.

A group from the Greater Victoria area is in that boat, ready for the possibility of hosting their folk festival this summer. Let's sit down with members of Folktoria to find out about this celebration of diversity and unification.

https://www.facebook.com/Folkathome/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Winnipeg got a special visitor this February with a visit from the Swedish Ambassador to Canada, Urban Ahlin.

Before Ambassador Urban took a trip on some kicksleds onto the Red River, he shared how Sweden uses these sleds and his experience visiting Ottawa. 

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

I met up with Sonja Lundstrom, President of the Swedish Cultural Association, and Anders Swanson from Winnipeg Trails Association to talk about the highlights of the Swedish Ambassador's visit to Winnipeg. 

They also share what Canada can learn from Nordic countries, how to enjoy the wonders of winter, and how to better connect to the lands. 

https://www.winnipegtrails.ca/

https://www.scandinaviancentre.ca/sweden

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Valerii Pasko is a Ukrainian community member in Winnipeg, Manitoba, who immigrated to Canada 11 years ago. An active member of his community, Pasko is a co-publisher of the Ukrainian Winnipeg Magazine. 

Pasko's parents still live in Ukraine and keep him updated with the situation transpiring on the country's border. 

This interview was conducted on January 29, 2022.

A new award-winning documentary, directed by Jennifer Holness, tackles the often dangerous portrayals of black women in media and the shift in North American beauty standards towards embracing black female aesthetics. 

Jennifer sat down with me to discuss the film and how we can improve representation in our media.

https://subjectsofdesire.com/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Once the excitement of Christmas has faded and the new year has come and gone, it doesn't feel like there's much to anticipate until the spring.

Luckily, there's the largest winter festival in Western Canada, Festival du Voyageur.  Celebrate Voyageur, Métis, and First Nations histories February 18-27 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

https://heho.ca/en/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

As diplomatic measures are taken between NATO nations and Putin, the people of Ukraine wait in uncertainty about what the future will bring. 

A retired professor from the Saint Andrews College at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Roman Yereniuk, discusses the history of Ukraine. Its declaration of independence in 1991, and his thoughts on the current crisis the country is facing. 

This interview was conduction on January 27, 2022.

Dr. Orest Cap is a professors emeritus from the University of Manitoba and holds a Ph.D. in technical-vocational education. Dr. Cap has been published in various national and international journals and has been involved in several research initiatives with Ukraine.

Dr. Cap breaks down how the current crisis in Ukraine has affected its people and the international community.

This interview was conducted on January 26, 2022.

When you live in Winnipeg, it may seem like Manitoba is a city province. Once you head past the perimeter, you quickly realize a lot of southern Manitoba is farmland.

Let's take a deep dive into one group of early farmers, the Mennonites. We have Conrad from the Mennonite Archives share their history with us.

https://www.mharchives.ca/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Podcasts are a fun way to pass the time.  Whether on a long drive or doing chores at home, what you can all learn is excellent.

A new podcast by the Zoryan Institute is taking a deep dive into the stories of diaspora, their diverse and shared experiences of living away from, and returning to, their homelands.

Host of the Dispersion podcast, Jen Haddow, shares what you can expect from the 6 episode series.

https://zoryaninstitute.org/dispersion/#hear-it-here

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.