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shallow focus photography of person facing trees

Annual Mikinakoos winter coat drive raises $40,000

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The Mikinakoos Children’s Fund will be donating 1,248 winter coats to children in First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario this year.

The coat drive raised $20,000 from individual donors, which was matched by the Knights of Columbus, who provided an additional $20,000 donation.

“So many children in remote First Nations communities, they don’t have access or even sometimes the ability to purchase a new winter coat for themselves,” explains Mikinakoos Executive Director Stephanie Paxton.

Paxton says in these communities, children either rely on hand-me-downs from their communities, which can often be worn out, or are forced to forgo a coat entirely.

“So a lot of times children do suffer from the freezing weather. And that’s just unacceptable, in my mind,” Paxton adds.

Mikinakoos purchases new coats for children, which Paxton says can be very meaningful for those who receive them.

“We have seen firsthand the absolute awe that a child is in when they realize this is theirs. Nobody else gets to have this jacket. No one else has used this jacket before. That’s a really special thing for a child,” Paxton says.

The children’s fund hopes to continue growing year after year, supplying more coats as it can.

Unfortunately, inflation is complicating that effort.

The winter coat drive raised the same amount of money this year as it did last year, but last year the sum was enough to buy 1,400 coats, a full 150 more than this year’s haul.

Beyond the winter coat drive, Mikinakoos also has a children’s food security program, a school backpack program that includes providing healthy snacks, warm winter clothing programs (beyond coats), and a recreation program to help grant access to sporting, art, and culture programs for northern communities.

“We really strive to reach every aspect of a healthy life for kids in the North,” Paxton says.

“It’s really wonderful to be able to help support those communities and just to see the absolute happiness on children’s faces at being included in these kinds of activities and programming,” she remarks.

The winter coat drive’s fundraiser may be concluded, but Mikinakoos is still accepting donations on its website for help shipping its winter coats up north.

Gold Northern Queen Mine Golden Rapture

Gold-rich area east of Dryden acquired by Alberta mining firm

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Edmonton-based Golden Rapture Mining is adding to its mining properties in northwestern Ontario.

It reports it is acquiring 1,500 acres known as the Northern Queen Mine from an unnamed numbered company.

The property is east of Dryden and located between two other gold-rich areas held by Dryden Gold and NexGold.

Historical records from the Ministry of Energy and Mines indicate gold and silver were produced during the late 1800s.

The area has never been explored using more modern exploration methods.

“We are looking forward to exploring this underexplored property using modern methods and technologies,” states a company release.

Golden Rapture also has properties that it is exploring in the Nestor Falls and Geraldton areas.

opp road closure

Highway 594 closed between Gordon and Earl

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The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has reportedly closed Highway 594/West River Road between Earl Avenue and Gordon Road/Olson Landing Road.

The OPP says a dump truck tipped over, and the driver’s injuries are still being evaluated.

The OPP believes the driver was the only one in the vehicle.

A heavy tow truck has arrived at the scene, but there is no estimate for reopening the road.

This story is ongoing and may be updated as more information is revealed.

round white pills

Warning issued after suspicious change in drugs across region

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The Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is warning people about tainted drugs that may be sold on the streets in communities between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay.

This is a second similar warning from the health agency after seeing an increase of suspicous overdoses, particularly in Dryden and Sioux Lookout.

According to the NWHU, people have been experiencing unusual reactions and effects from drugs and testing done by drug checking sites and people using drugs has shown there are often other substances mixed in that make use of these drugs more dangerous.

“We wanted to do a little more investigating,” says Donna Stanley, director of health protection with the NWHU. “So the second (warning) is like a follow up that we were saying this looks like it is around the region between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay so maybe everyone should know.”

The NWHU cautions people that substances are being sold as cocaine, however it is causing unusual symptoms of feeling unwell, sleepiness or unconsciousness, even death.

Stanley adds that sometimes naloxone isn’t proving effective, suggesting the substance is tainted with tranquilizer.

As well, opioids have been testing positive for medetomidine (vet tranquilizer) and crystal methamphetamine has tested positive for fentanyl.

The NWHU reminds people using drugs to practice safe harm reduction through such measures as testing drugs before using (NWHU has free test kits), keeping naloxone on hand, and to never use drugs alone.

In the end, the agency reiterates that people experiencing suspicious effects should contact emergency services and to report any adverse drug events.

Ground Breaking Pic

Dryden Food Bank takes next step to completing Project Hope

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Progress is being made on the Dryden Food Bank’s ambitious Project Hope.

After having its official groundbreaking in October, this week marked the start of phase two – preparing footings for concrete to be poured on the new building.

It marks an important step for the Dryden Food Bank’s expansion and ability to soon distribute food to more people in the region.

“Shovels are in the ground,” says Al Huckabay, manager of the Dryden Food Bank. “We are hoping to get all of the work done on the addition part with all of the footings and stuff done before frost kicks in and get some walls up and a roof on before the snow flies.”

Project Hope has been in the works since 2023 when the Dryden Food Bank purchased a building with the intention to expand its facility.

Since that time, organizers have been busy trying to fundraise in order to push the project to the second phase.

With two-thirds of the $1.5 million now collected, Huckabay says it is a sign that building is closer to completion.

“Our target is looking to open in in spring or summer of next year,” says Huckabay. “(We hope) to be totally operational by the fall of next year in our new building.”

He says once the project is complete, it will allow the Dryden Food Bank to increase capacity and be able to distribute more food, especially to the region at large.

“We will become a distribution point (for) the surrounding First Nation communities and food banks in this area, like Sioux Lookout and Red Lake,” adds Huckabay.

“Instead of trucks having to go all the way to Thunder Bay and then having to ship things back into this area, some of those trucks will be able to stop off here in Dryden, drop off the products and then our volunteers will then break it down into smaller amounts to be able to distribute out to the areas around.”

Huckabay says one of the ultimate goals of the project was to build sustainable relationships with First Nation communities.

“The next stage is continuing on in looking for funding,” says Huckabay. “We’re still looking to raise that extra $500,000 that would put us over the top to be able to just really complete the project from start to finish.”

assorted plastic containers on brown wooden shelf

Dryden Food Bank seeing more visitors than year ago

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The manager of the Dryden Food Bank says more people are coming their doors than in 2024.

Al Huckabay says around two per cent more people are using the local food bank on a monthly basis than last year.

He says newcomers who have expired work visas and are out of work make up the most noticable jump in clients, followed by families.

“Because of the cost of food,” says Al Huckabay. “They’re just finding it hard to make ends meet, even though some of them are still working.”

He adds the rising cost of housing and heating is also driving many new clients to use the Dryden Food Bank.

Huckabay says the rising cost of food, in particular, isn’t just contributing to more people needing the food bank’s services.

“We rely on donations,” says Huckabay, adding that includes government and public grants. “Sometimes our grants are drying up or getting smaller and yet the price of food continues to go up so we’re not able to utilize the bang for the buck to try and purchase food (so) we’re able to purchase less food but using more money.”

He says that is forcing Dryden Food Bank to limit handouts as they stretch the food on their shelves as far as possible.

Earlier this week, Food Banks Canada announced that monthly visits to food banks were up 5 per cent nationally over 2024.

In a study, the agency found food banks in Canada saw nearly 2.2 million visits in a single month.

That is double the monthly usage recorded just six years ago.

black laptop computer on brown wooden table

Organization inches closer to creating Dryden’s first warming centre

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A community-based organization is hoping to establish Dryden’s very first warming shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

The Dryden Warmth Project is a grassroots initiative, supported by the not-for-profit Dryden Wilderness Trail, aimed at providing comfort to unhoused people in the city.

“We just started the crowdfunding last spring actually and then, with our media campaign lately this fall, it started to take off,” says Lynda Ménard-Penner, chair of the Dryden Warmth Project committee, which has been fundraising for the ambitious project over the past year.

“It’s a very difficult thing to put in place just all of a sudden,” says Ménard-Penner about establishing Dryden’s first warming centre. “That’s why we decided that, as we raise funds, we’ll just start small and we’ll just grow and expand.”

As a result, the committee has focused primarily on raising funds through crowd-sourcing on the Internet, targeting the project through a three-phase strategy.

“Our first stage is what we’re hoping to open this fall, which is a drop-in space a few nights week that serves hot beverages, snacks, warmth, access to washrooms,” explains Ménard-Penner.

“Our second stage is to open this seven days a week (with) our third stage to launch this full-time and then our future possibility, because you always have to dream, is to have a central multiservice hub where there is support given for employment, housing, post treatment recovery and this kind of thing.”

Ménard-Penner says the group is still trying to secure a location in Dryden however the project continues to raise funds through its Go Fund Me page to launch the part-time warming centre as soon as possible.

“Every little bit helps,” says Ménard-Penner about continued contributions from members of the community. “It’s also encouraging to get people’s comments and the support behind it. That’s what is really heartwarming.”

photo of body of water and droplets

Dryden anything but dry over next few days

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Although Dryden residents have been mostly spoiled by unseasonably warm and dry weather this Fall, it seems the region is in for a bit of a soggy few days.

According to Environment Canada meteorologist Steve Flisfeder, the Dryden area is about to experience a “flip of the switch” in terms of precipitation.

“Fall has generally been mild, mostly on the dry side,” says Flisfeder, noting that rain activity is expected to impact the region, starting today.

“A low pressure system making its way into Ontario will bring showers and possibly even some thunderstorm activity, so very isolated thunderstorms could bring some heavy downpours.”

With that low pressure system, temperatures are expected to just crest into double-digit territory with the mercury moving into the mid-teens on Friday along with continued unstable weather and a 60 per cent chance of rain.

That will set up a weather pattern that will see the region settle into a steady series of days that will mostly remain cloudy with a chance of showers. However Flisfeder hints that Dryden could be spared over the weekend.

“The weekend right now actually looks like it could clear mostly,” says Flisfeder, noting there is a still a chance of showers. “(Rain) is definitely less likely than previously anticipated (and) then once we get to early next week, Monday, another low pressure system is making its way in for more shower possibilities.”

Along with a 40 per cent chance of showers, Monday’s high will remain in single digits, with 9 C the anticipated high.

That steady, rainy weather pattern is set to remain in the Dryden area right through Wednesday.

“The farther out we go, we are much less confident with what we are seeing,” says Flisfeder, noting the models beyond Wednesday are uncertain at this point. “That being said, it is looking like it will be on the drier side through the third week of October so those showers that we are seeing in the coming week will clear out.”

He adds that historically, the region also sees about 15 cm of total snow during the month of October but Flisfeder notes that it is uncertain whether or not Dryden will see similar numbers this year.

“It’s not to say it is definitely on the way, especially with what we’re seeing with dry conditions,” says Flisfeder about the prospect of snowfall. “But it’s something to keep a look out for as we head towards the end of October into early November.”

Lisa Koshel - Rocking K Ranch, Oxdrift

Show us your NWO📷

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Thank you to everyone who submitted their stunning fall photos! We’ve been lucky with some beautiful weather lately, and it’s given us the perfect opportunity to capture the vibrant colors and peaceful moments that make this season so special.

Your submissions truly highlight what life is like in the communities we call home. From quiet lakeside mornings to our fur babies on the boat, each photo tells a story of why North-Western Ontario is such an incredible place to live.

Let’s keep showing the world what makes NWO awesome: the people, the places, and the spirit of our region.

(Scroll down to enjoy a gallery of this season’s submissions, and keep them coming!)

Beautiful Lake and Northern Lights photos by William George

Sunday afternoon fishing with Solomon on Wabigoon lake, Dryden by Lynne Slack

Image of Rocking K Ranch by Lisa Koshel (Oxdrift, ON)

Foggy Lone Fisherman by Kayla Pitchenese

The Beautiful Autumn Dance of Color has Begun, Elisabeth Anne West

Woodland Refreshment by Darcy Danielson

In Memory of Val Durocher by Cyndey Cumming

Garden Symphony: A Celebration of Color and Life by Cydney Cumming

Reflections of Serenity by Connie Calvert

Twilight Reflections by Brian Saari

Dawn Breaking Through the Fog by Heman Redsky

a glove with a heart on it in the snow

Dryden Rotary Club prepares to dress people for winter

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As temperatures continue to drop in the region, the need for winter clothes is only increasing.

That’s why the Dryden Rotary Club is launching its Out of the Cold clothing drive, collecting boots, hats, scarves and other winterwear.

According to the organization’s past-president, demand has only increased since the program began five years ago.

“We definitely need children’s winter clothing,” says Patty Vann. “Snow pants so they can go to school and play, warm jackets, we need mitts of all kinds.”

Vann also notes that socks are also high demand items ahead of the winter cold.

“For the people who have no home or have no place to call home, socks are the most important item,” she says. “Because they are walking all the time.”

Starting Wednesday, donations can be dropped off at the Dryden Native Friendship Centre, Firefly, the Dryden Public Library and Royal Bank of Canada until October 30.

Vann says once clothes have been sorted and ready for wear, they will set up a pop-up shop in the Kusnick Electric Buillding at 187 Government Street, where people can pick up much-needed free winterwear.

Details about the shop’s opening are yet to be finalized but she says it is expected to be ready by the second week of November.

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