Music is transcendent. The swell of an orchestra in the triumphant moments of a hero, bops over the radio and you’re driving in your car, or the lively jumping and smooth soul of jazz in a club, music is incredibly flexible.

A person who embodies that magical essence of music is a friend of U Multicultural Onna Lou.

https://onnalou.com/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

If you’re feeling defeated, down, or frustrated with the ongoing pandemic, you’re not the only one. It’s easy to feel disconnected when you’re stuck in your place and can’t go out to do the things you enjoy. A great way to find some connection is through volunteering. Even in this pandemic, there are opportunities for you to give back to your community and find those connections.  

For individuals 18-29, there is a new opportunity through Volunteer Manitoba to make that difference. 

https://www.volunteermanitoba.ca/youth-innovators

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Canada’s winters can be unpredictable. Here in Manitoba, one day, we can have lovely warm sun. The next, it can be blistering cold. Even those who have lived here their whole lives can get caught off-guard. 

To help inform newcomers of the challenges of winter and settling in a new province, the Canadian Red Cross has the SmartStart Injury Prevention program.

SmartStart Injury Prevention Program

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

I may be a bit biased, but the Winnipeg community is amazing. There’s no better example than Winnipeg’s North End. The North Point Douglas Women’s Centre is a gathering place for that community, with programs designed directly from the needs that the community has identified. 

Tara Zajac is the Executive Director and shares how things have been going on at the centre. 

https://www.npdwc.org

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

From October to January,  there are many observed festivities. Diwali, Dio De Los Muertos, Hanukkah, Christmas, Ōmisoka, and Kwanzaa. 

I haven’t heard much about Kwanzaa, so I reached out to the Canadian Kwanzaa Association to find out more practice which was established back in the 1960s.

Check out their social media:

Facebook Instagram

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

The holidays can be stressful. Whatever your seasonal practices entail visiting family, holiday shopping, and dinners can take a toll. Especially during this ongoing pandemic, many are struggling.

That’s where the Winnipeg Christmas Cheer Board comes in, helping out by providing food hampers and gifts for children, and a friendly reminder that there are people out there thinking about you.

https://www.christmascheerboard.ca/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

During summer, we have Pride, an event that recognizes the struggles and discrimination of those in the 2SLGBTQ + community and promises to work towards a brighter future. 

Although there are scatterings of other days throughout the year, it’s essential to have these conversations year-round. 

Let’s sit down with Bre Giesbrecht from the Rainbow Resource Centre to navigate gender identity, pronouns and share about services available for individuals and families. 

https://rainbowresourcecentre.org/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Islam is a faith followed by approximately a quarter of the world’s population and comprises many diverse cultures and ethnicities.

It’s unfortunate how we’ve seen so much hate and resentment towards Muslims. With nationalism and misinformation over social media, there has been an increase in Islamophobia during the pandemic.

Our guest for U Talk has been heavily involved in the Manitoba Islamic Association and recently published his book Manitoba Muslims: A History of Resiliency and Growth.

https://www.miaonline.org/

From November 13 - 20, The Rady Jewish Community Centre has been celebrating Tarbut, a Jewish culture festival, through books, movies, and concerts.

Here’s Laura, manager of Programming to tell us about Tarbut and invite all to celebrate Jewish culture.

Just a reminder, if you are attending any of these events or heading to the centre, you must be double vaccinated to ensure those around you are protected.

https://www.radyjcc.com/about-rady-jcc/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

A nationally recognized project is working at putting art supplies into the hands of students in remote communities.

We've talked with Colleen Gray from Art For Aid before, but a lot has happened at the project since then. So let's sit down with Colleen again to find out what's going on. 

https://www.artforaid.ca/

Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.