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With a brand new album set to be released later this year, John and James Abrams are currently touring Manitoba to promote some of the music that will be on that new record.
One of their stops is this Saturday night at the Johnston Company Auditorium of the Watson Arts Centre.
John Abrams says they feel a particular connection with Manitoba.
"We have very close famiy friends in Selkirk and in the Winnipeg area, and our parents lived in the Stonewall area for years. So in a way it feels a bit like a homecoming just one generation removed. And being generational, it is a big part of our family history, touring and performing on the road."
Local singer Kayla Luky will open up the show, and John says they are looking forward to working with Kayla again.
"We have crossed paths a number of times and Kayla is fantastic. So again, bring together community is what country music is all about."
The show begins at 8 pm on Saturday.
Tickets are $45 each and are available at the Watson.
You can also find ticket information on their website.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
End-stage kidney disease is the final stage of chronic kidney disease.
At this point, the kidneys have lost almost all their ability to function, failing to filter waste, and balance fluids. Dialysis or a kidney transplant is required at this point to sustain life.
Manitoba had the highest rate of end-stage kidney disease in Canada from 2013 to 2021.
Tyson Shtykalo is Manitoba's Auditor General.
"That rate continues to grow," he said. "Even though dialysis is a life-sustaining service, the province does not know if it's achieving the best results for patients or providing the best value for taxpayers."
In 2021, 38.9% of end-stage kidney disease in Manitoba was attributable to diabetes, which was the highest diabetes primary diagnosis rate per million population across Canada. Chronic kidney disease is caused by kidney damage, often due to prolonged high blood pressure or high blood sugar.
Dialysis filters the blood to remove toxins, waste products, and excess fluids. In a recent audit done by Shtykalo, he identified three major issues. The first is that the responsibilities for dialysis are unclear.
"The funding model isn't tied to outcomes or cost analysis," ended Shtykalo. "There is no operational plan for dialysis services. This results in uncertainty and inefficiencies. It limits the ability to translate strategic goals into operational actions."
Shtykalo outlined six recommendations. He recommends that Shared Health monitor and evaluate the implementation of the clinical and preventative services plan by the authorities.
You can see the entire audit here.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
When Desiree Dorion was just five years old, she would make up poems and songs in her journal.
She started singing about a decade later when she turned 10. Fast forward three years to when she was 13, Dorion took the stage. She performed at a banquet on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Her talents were off the charts.
An investor noticed Desiree and invested in her recording an album. She rode the Greyhound bus almost every weekend for six months. She would travel to OCN on Friday and return to Dauphin on Sunday, where her mom would pick her up. She released her first record in 1998 when she was just 14. She continued to work in music throughout high school. When she went to university, she put it on the back burner.
When Desiree graduated in 2008, she wanted to get back into it. She reached out to a few friends and released another record in 2010. From there to this day, the rest is history.
In 2014, when Desiree was hired to perform on the main stage at Dauphin's Countryfest, she was also nominated for a JUNO award. The nomination was in the category of Aboriginal Album of the Year, now known as Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. Being nominated came as a complete shock to Desiree.
Dorion was also seven and a half months pregnant when she went to the JUNOs.
"You know, getting up for hair and makeup, doing all the public relations, ceremonies, networking events, and then not going to bed until like 3:00 the next morning, I was up for almost 24 hours in a row," said Dorion. "I didn't want to miss a second of it. I really feel that I was present and took in every moment of that experience. It was one that I won't forget."
Still rocking the stage and living her dream, Dorion says getting the chance to be on the stage is gratifying, and she thanks all her incredible fans for the support over the years. From her performances in Canada to the ones in Europe, Desiree has and will continue putting on a great show.
"There are so many artists that venues and organizers could hire. Like when we were chosen to play at the Indigenous Arts Festival this past June, there were so many other people they could have picked," Dorion told CKDM NewsNow. "The fact that I'm still able to work, do what I love, and make a living doing what I love and am passionate about, it makes me emotional when I think about it."
At the 2025 Manitoba Country Music Awards, Desiree was a major winner. She was named the Female Artist of the Year and also took home the Album of the Year award. Dorion has become one of Manitoba's most celebrated and respected voices.
Her career spans seven studio albums, and she's performed nationally on major networks in the country. Desiree also has multiple number-one songs on the Indigenous Music Countdown to her credit.
When asked how it felt to win the two major awards, Desiree said it was a special moment.
"It's pretty darn cool. Those awards are chosen by my peers in music," she added. "To not only get the chance to work in music, but be recognized by your peers, and for them to see the work that I'm doing, and it's worthy enough to be recognized. That's pretty darn special."
Next up for Desiree and her band is a performance in Manitoba's capital on Hockey Night. The Winnipeg Jets host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. It's Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre (WASAC) Night at the Canada Life Centre. It's a night that showcases Indigenous culture and welcomes Indigenous youth from northern communities.
Desiree said getting the chance to perform on WASAC Night has been a bucket list dream. On Saturday, that dream becomes a reality.
"I am pumped, so pumped," ended Dorion. "We just finished our rehearsal and are putting our set together. I'm super excited, it's going to be an incredible experience."
You can purchase tickets to be a part of the historic night at WASAC Night.
The Dauphinite has a new single coming out in two weeks and a new album in March. She and her band are booked solid next month in several northern communities.
In November, Desiree and her band will perform in Whitehorse.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program will be able to sustain and expand its professional counselling services thanks to a funding commitment from the provincial and federal governments.
The two-year, $300,000 commitment comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
In making the joint announcement, Manitoba Agriculture minister and Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn said the continued funding will allow the program to expand services, maintain timely access to counselling and support those in underserved areas such as farm employees and agricultural service providers.
The MFWP was created in response to the increasingly complex challenges farmers face
The program is designed specifically for the agriculture community and provides counselling services delivered by professionals with agricultural literacy, who understand the unique stressors farmers, farm families and agricultural employees face.
Since its launch in 2022, the program has steadily expanded, with participation and counselling sessions increasing.
It continues to promote mental wellness and coping strategies through workshops, presentations and multimedia resources, reaching farmers, families and workers across Manitoba.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Play, Pie, Pint.
The community of Dauphin wanted it, and you're about to get it. Held for the first time last year, Play, Pie, Pint includes three short plays, a pint of beer from Obsolete Brewing Company, and a meat pie from Western Bakery in Dauphin.
This year it runs on February 22 and March 8 at Obsolete in Dauphin.
It begins at 4:00 each day, and as Jean-Louis Guillas says, it's back by popular demand after a great turnout last year.
"We soldout both afternoons. We sold almost 100 tickets to each show," said Guillas. "We are expecting the same for this year. People really seem to like the idea."
On February 22, Martijn van Lujin opens up the show with "The Pot Hole We Hold On To". Sophie Guillas has "40 Below," and Murray D Evans has "Tales from the Heart".
On March 8, Christine Harapiak presents "Counting On You", Jean-Louis has "Village Shuffle", and Christine has "The List".
"Everybody who's on the bill this year has a local connection. They live here, used to, or have played here," said Jean-Louis. "It shows you that if you have the skills and want to develop them,, you can tell a story that's inspired by growing up here, and living here."
February 22
The Pot Hole We Hold On To (Martijn van Lujin) A Civic Issue. A community problem. A very bad idea.
40 Below (Sophie Guillas) New Year's Eve in Winnipeg, and drama plays out on city transit.
Tales from the Heart (Murray D Evans) Drug-induced follies straight from the heart patient recovery ward.
March 8
Counting On You (Christine Harapiak) Who exactly can one count on these days?
Village Shuffle (Jean-Louis Guillas) The train is coming. What will this mean for the residents of Gartmore in the summer of 1896?
The List (Christine Harapiak) We need 75 names for the list. That should be easy enough.
Tickets for each show are just $25. They're available at the Watson Art Centre, and only cash is accepted.
Proceeds support Dauphin Culture Days.
"It's a great chance to hear new stories, and some enthusiastic actors," ended Guillas. "You get to support some developing plays that you may see acted out later on. Come out, hang with your friends, have a beer, and be entertained."
Play, Pie, Pint. returns to Obsolete Brewing Company in Dauphin on February 22 and March 8.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Riding Mountain National Park has once again introduced their Winter Pavilion, spicing up their seasonal attractions.
It's the largest snow-supported structure in Western Canada. If you're out for a skate or a hot chocolate, you'll find the pavilion nearby with great art carved into its side.
RMNP offers plenty to see and do throughout the winter months.
"We have a lot going on in terms of activities, like I said, there's skiing, there's skating, even just coming into a restaurant, getting a meal or getting a hot chocolate. So there's still lots to take in and enjoy, you know, all the beauty the park has to offer."
To learn more about what RMNP has to offer, you can visit their website at Riding Mountain National Park
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- Contributed by LJ Burke
The Parkland region is currently under an orange warning.
A colder and windier air mass is entering Manitoba into the overnight hours on Wednesday and lasting at least three days. If you're outside at all over the next few days, cover up. Frostbite can develop in minutes on exposed skin.
If you are driving, keep emergency supplies in your vehicle such as extra blankets, water, and jumper cables.
Local blowing snow is expected on Wednesday evening with the wind chill dropping to minus 46 overnight. On Thursday, there is a 30 percent chance of flurries early in the morning with a high of minus 28. The wind chill is expected to be minus 46 in the morning and minus 41 in the afternoon.
On Friday, the expected high is minus 25 without the wind chill. The expected high on Saturday is minus 27 and minus 23 on Sunday. Also be careful when letting your animals outside to go to the washroom. If its too cold for us, its too cold for them.
Stay safe, be cautious, and buckle in for an extremely cold next few days.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The MLA for Swan River says he saw first hand the crisis that in unraveling at the Swan Valley Health Centre due to nurse staffing shortages.
Rick Wowchuk says he spent 8 -1/2 hours in the Emergency department of the hospital last week before he was able to see a doctor.
Both the Provincial Tory caucus and the Manitoba Nurses Union have been sounding the alarm bells ever since the province announced a plan to reduce the number of nursing agencies that they deal with to fill vacancies from around 80 to just 4.
Wowchuk says the plan is ill-conceived and poorly timed.
"And we see this time and time again from this government, and then they have to back-step and come up with another plan that does not work. It is trial and error, and every time that happens, we are putting a lot of patients at risk These drastic changes should have been phased out over a much longer period of time to allow the hospitals and health districts time to react and change."
January 15th was when the reduction took effect, but Wowchuk says he has heard that the government is looking at an extension to February 1st.
Even then, he says it is still not enough time.
"I look at Swan River and they did not fill any vacancies in two years. So how can they do it in two yweeks is what I am saying to resolve this situation?"
When asked about the change in deadline date, Cabinet communications provided the following comment from the Health Minister.
She said the direction to move forward with the transition remains unchanged, with patient safety at the centre of every decision we are making. As this work continues, regions are being supported to manage patient safety in real time. That includes al lowing regions with unique challenges the flexibility to temporarily work with agencies, as needed, to ensure safe and reliable care.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The consultation process continues towards a new justice facility in Dauphin, which is expected to begin construction later this year.
Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn has been taking part in those consultations.
He says they continue to work on what all is going to be included in the facility.
"The old-style terminology of what a jail was is not what we are looking at. We are looking at means of modernizing the opportunities of this justice facility and work within those needs and the challenges that they face."
Kostyshyn noted that this week marks the sixth anniversary of the closure of the former Dauphin jail.
"We in the Parkland area realize what happened six years, and how it really left a legacy of negativity in our area, for the people that worked there, and for the economy that it brought to both the Parkland and the province."
Kostyshyn is optimistic that an announcement of the size and some of the features that will be included in the justice facility can be made in the coming weeks.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin & District Food Bank received a donation of $2,000 worth of Kraft Heinz products.
The donation was made possible with the Kraft Heinz Groceries for Good contest, which helps feed food banks across the country. Kraft Heinz pledged a meal for Food Banks Canada for each time a customer bought a participating product at Canadian grocery stores.
Robin Gambler was on hand at the Dauphin Co-op to receive the generous donation. It included Kraft Dinner, Cheez-Whiz, ranch dressing, and so much more.
"Wow, that's amazing. Kraft Dinner is a staple that we put in all hampers," said Gambler. "We don't get Cheez-Whiz in often, so that's a real treat for folks. With prices going up and how busy we are at the Food Bank, it's great that we're going to be able to give these items out."
At their last intake, the Food Bank fulfilled 140 applications. Gambler says the Food Bank is busier than ever, and she doesn't expect that to change anytime soon. This donation will take care of the Food Bank's next intake.
If you need assistance from the Dauphin & District Food Bank, next Thursday is the next intake. Head to Parkland Crossing before 5:00 p.m. and bring your Manitoba health card.
"We have someone handing them numbers, so it makes things easier; there isn't any confusion on who's next," said Gambler. "They get their stuff and on the way they go."
Gambler says they're forever thankful for the recent donation from Kraft. She also says the Food Bank always welcomes donations from the community.
"What we're really low on right now is feminine hygiene," ended Gambler. "Any canned food. There has to be something from every food group in each hamper. Any non-perishable food item, we greatly appreciate it."
The Dauphin Food Bank is here for you when you need them.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Hockey meets culture this Saturday night when the Dauphin Kings hold their annual Ukrainian Night.
Christian Laughland with the Kngs says there will be more than just a hockey game when the Kings host Niverville at Credit Union Place.
"The doors are going to open at 5:30. I know that Ukrainian platters are going to be available at the downstairs concession. We want to thank Shauna and Hat-Trick concessions for doing that. There will be a band at the top of the stairs. There will be tons of vendors on location as well. Tickets have been going very well, and I just want to reiterate that this a great partnership between the Kings and Canada's National Ukrainian Festival."
The Kings will also be wearing special jerseys that evening which will be auctioned off, with the proceeds being split between the Kings and Canada's National Ukrainian Festival.
Tickets are $5 each and are available at the CNUF office in the Dauphin Marketplace Mall.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
