Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press

Standing in a courtroom six months after a jury found Kyle Pietz guilty of manslaughter in the death and disappearance of Eduardo Balaquit, the victim's son pleaded for the location of his father's body. 

"I ask Kyle to speak up … after doing so much wrong, do the one thing that's right," Edward Balaquit said while reading a victim impact statement.

A sentencing hearing for Pietz, 37, took place Wednesday in front of Court of King's Bench Justice Sadie Bond. 

More than two dozen of Balaquit's family attended, including his wife and two sons. 

Chiefs of four remote First Nations in northeastern Manitoba are calling for the provincial and federal governments to build a health facility that can treat ongoing mental health and addiction crises for their growing populations.

The chiefs from the Island Lake region estimate 15,000 to 18,000 people live in the area, but none of the four communities has a hospital to address these issues. 

18:27 Oct 26th, 2022
Mba-Chief-Election
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs elects first female leader, Cathy Merrick
By: Brittany Hobson
Location: Winnipeg
Source: The Canadian Press

A woman will lead the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs for the first time in its nearly 35-year history. 

Chiefs in the province chose Cathy Merrick on Wednesday as the advocacy group's next grand chief.

Seven candidates were vying for the position during a byelection after the organization removed previous leader Arlen Dumas over sexual harassment allegations.

An Indigenous-led safe space for sexually exploited women and girls is expecting to expand its reach in Winnipeg with funds from the federal government. 

Ottawa says nearly $7 million is to help with operating costs at Velma's House.

Patty Hajdu, the federal minister of Indigenous Services, says the money should allow the organization to increase its capacity and deliver culturally appropriate programs. 

Part of the money is also to go toward purchasing a new building, so the group can offer ceremonies, counselling and meals to more people.

A Winnipeg mother says she was scarred for life when her first child was taken away at birth by social workers, who told her she was unfit to parent her newborn daughter because she was just 17 at the time. 

"I don't know how one could fully heal from that trauma," said the woman, now 41, whom The Canadian Press has agreed not to identify because of her family's involvement in the child welfare system. "Having a baby taken away from birth … the bond is broken." 

New census data suggests Indigenous children continue to be overrepresented in the child welfare system.

A single eagle feather sits on the kitchen table in Simon Monteith's home. 

Next to it is an array of household products including hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, food colouring and a baking dish. 

The scene depicts the two worlds the nine-year-old walks.

From a science perspective, feathers aid in thrust, enabling flight. From a First Nations perspective, an eagle feather is a symbol of respect. 

"I like to look at things from two or more perspectives," says Simon. 

Olena Kayinska was forced to put down her paintbrush at the end of February.

The Ukrainian artist was in the middle of a project when Russian troops invaded her country, prompting her to leave her studio and stay with her mother.

Thoughts of returning to art seemed like a luxury amid all the death and destruction, but the events also provided material for the project she had to unexpectedly abandon six months ago. 

Now, some of her pieces are among those featured in a global online auction co-organized by a former Winnipegger.

Paris Eakins was 26 years old when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in November 1940 during the Second World War.

He was born in Minnedosa, Man., where he lived until he attended the University of Manitoba, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree. Eakins worked at his town's newspaper and went on to join the sports department at the Winnipeg Free Press. 

After he enlisted, Eakins worked his way to become a pilot officer in a fighter squadron based in England in 1941. The next year, he was killed in northern France during the disastrous Dieppe Raid. He was 27. 

A poll suggests more than half of Canadians viewed the recent visit by Pope Francis and his apology for abuses at residential schools as a step toward reconciliation.

The Angus Reid Institute released the findings from its latest online poll in which nearly 60 per cent of participants said they saw the Pope's apology as a meaningful step toward reconciliation, while 32 per cent said it did nothing to move reconciliation forward.

George Arcand Jr. says it was a humbling experience to welcome Pope Francis to Canada as the Treaty 6 Grand Chief encouraged the leader of the Roman Catholic Church to join a path of healing by speaking with survivors of residential schools.

“I asked the Pope to walk with us in this new journey," Arcand Jr. said.

Francis arrived Sunday to an honour drum song ahead of a brief welcome ceremony in an airport hangar in Edmonton.