From spreading love and kindness across communities to making strides in helping end human trafficking, to Dad jokes, this week was full of good news. 

Drinking water advisories lifted at two Manitoba First Nations

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says short-term drinking water advisories at two Manitoba First Nations have been lifted.

The advisories at Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids First Nations had been in place since July when the communities were evacuated due to forest fires.

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Military arrives in Iqaluit to set up reverse osmosis water purification

Iqaluit is getting help from the military in the form of water purification units as it continues to deal with fuel that was found in its tap water.

Major Susan Magill, a public information officer for Joint Task Force North, says one purification unit arrived in Iqaluit in a military jet on Saturday and a second was on its way yesterday.

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Bouncing back from a labour shortage stronger than ever

Employers in the Southeast are feeling the pressure of a labour shortage that’s also being experienced in other provinces.

Steph Wiens, Vice-President of Strategy and Culture at Goldenwest, says there are numerous opportunities for people to change employers and this means business owners should look at ways to retain staff.

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Thousands march against human trafficking worldwide

Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of major European cities and other parts of the world, joining the international event Walk for Freedom, to draw attention to the problem of human trafficking and modern slavery.

The Christian abolitionist association A21 was the organiser of the event, which aims “to spread a message of freedom the world cannot ignore, raising awareness for human trafficking & reduce vulnerability within our communities across the globe”.

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'The Blessing' receives Song of the Year award

"Receiving an award at the Dove’s is a sweet honor and I’m thankful. I also know that it’s never the goal," says Kari Jobe. 

The 52 annual GMA Dove Awards took place in person in Nashville, Tennessee and aired on Friday, October 22. Jobe and her team of writers took home the prestigious award, Song of the Year, for 'The Blessing.'

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2,000 loaves of love

She might not have any fish, but a Manitoba baker has done a miracle with 2,000 loaves of bread.

Joan van der Linde is the baker of The Bread Basket, an initiative she began right after the pandemic started to shut things down in Canada. 

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How to stop comparing, own your giftedness, and rest in Jesus

Many women struggle with the voice in their head that tells them they are not enough…not smart enough, not pretty enough, not capable enough, not present enough.

Denisse Copeland is one of the many women to feel that way. She was raised by a single mother in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Her upbringing offered little stability, and Denisse soon found herself on a seemingly endless quest to find love and acceptance. 

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Education is greatest weapon against human trafficking

An expert says that human trafficking is so prevalent in Canada, that no matter where you are, even a rural community, somebody is being trafficked within a kilometre. 

On Thursday, the Joy Smith Foundation is having a free online launch for the National Human Trafficking Education Centre (NHTEC) at 7:00 pm.

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Salvation Army, Hydro's Neighbours Helping Neighbours warming up for winter

A program helping Manitobans keep their lights on is expected to pick back up after a slow year, a welcome move as Manitobans see a significant hike in natural gas prices as the days grow colder.

In 2004, an emergency program helping families facing hardship pay their hydro bills was birthed out of a partnership with Manitoba Hydro and the Salvation Army.

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WATCH: Tensions soften with God's love at downtown mission

A Winnipeg ministry is releasing their annual update video, showing that even though violence has been growing, so has the hope that they share. 

"It's simple. Jesus Christ is the answer," says Martin Chidwick, the Development Manager at Union Gospel Mission (UGM) of their new video update and the message behind it. "He's the answer to addictions, He's the answer to our hurt and pain, our poverty and destitution, and He provides the way to eternal life through Him."

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Pope accepts Canadian invitation focussing on reconciliation

Canadians heading to the Vatican to meet with the Pope will discuss reconciliation with Indigenous people and a future papal visit to Canada.

On Wednesday, The Holy See announced Pope Francis will be coming to Canada at a future date.

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Finding your calling and stepping into the life God made you for

Many of us will go through life wondering what our true purpose is, waiting for our calling from God.

“The truth is, the call has already been made, the offer is on the table. Being a part of God’s family means we’ve received the invitation to be an active part of His work of love and compassion. He’s waiting for us to respond," explains Geoff Peters, author of The Family Business: A Parable about Stepping Into the Life You Were Made For

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Max Lucado shares encouraging update on health

Christian author Max Lucado is praising God for physical healing. 

"I have a brief and very encouraging health update to share with you," says Lucado in a Youtube video update. 

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Hollyn expecting great things next year

Christian artist Hollyn has much to celebrate and she's taking to social media to share it with fans. 

It's been two years since the singer released an album. On November 5, Hollyn will be releasing her first independent album called Holy Rebellion

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Socktober: Remembering those who've passed while helping those in need

With winter approaching, one organization is gathering socks to help people in need while remembering those lost. 

"Socktober is sort of like a fundraiser that we do," says Arlene Last-Kolb, one of the founders of Manitoba Overdose Awareness. "We are collecting socks for the whole month of October."

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Siloam Mission names new CEO, committing to improving Indigenous relations

Siloam Mission's new leader has a long history of Christian and Indigenous relations reconciliation work. 

The ministry is announcing that Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud will be their new CEO, starting in this role on November 15. Blaikie Whitecloud is coming from 1JustCity where she served as their Executive Director. Blaikie has previously worked at places such as the Canadian Mental Health Association and United Way.

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Steve Bell receiving Order of Manitoba in Thursday ceremony

A prestigious award will be given to 12 Manitobans on Thursday afternoon.

In the spring, this year's Order of Manitoba recipients was announced, waiting to hold the ceremony at a later date. On Thursday, the 12 recipients will receive the Order from Manitoba's Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon.

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Dad jokes win a Chicken Chef lunch break

A Winnipeg man who loves telling dad jokes at work won a lunch break for him and his coworkers.

"I am nominating him because he works hard fixing cars and I think he's an awesome dad," says Rose Lozie. 

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Winnipeg named 'World’s Top Intelligent Community' for 2021

Manitoba's capital is snatching up another prestigious title, this time for its digital brains.

The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) has named Winnipeg this year's World’s Top Intelligent Community. This award is bestowed onto a community for its competitiveness in the digital economy.

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The man behind your poppy: Winnipegger dedicates decades to poppy campaign

In the days leading up to Remembrance Day, an 83-year-old Winnipeg man's basement overflows with poppies.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Remembrance Poppy. Brian Cutts has been with the Royal Canadian Legion for half of that time.

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National Human Trafficking Education Centre officially open

"This centre is a game-changer to help people find prevention and intervention programs that combat human trafficking in Canada," says founder Joy Smith. 

The online launch for the National Human Trafficking Education Centre, created by the Joy Smith Foundation, went live Canada-wide on Thursday evening. 

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Faith comes first for Canadian Christian musical duo, The Lay Awakes

Anyone who spends a few moments speaking with Patrick Anderson and Anna Paddock will realize a few things that they're really good at.

Anderson is a wheelchair basketball player and half of the band The Layawakes. His wife, Paddock, comprises the other half of the husband/wife duo.

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Church group keeping retired men 'out of trouble'

From music making, wood carving, to just connecting, a Winnipeg group is infusing purpose for retired men.

"It's a group of retired men that want something to look forward to and to do," says Jerry Oleschuk, the Chairman of the Board for Woodhaven Men's Shed. "We talk, meet new friends, play cards, do some carving or glasswork. We've introduced some music with ukuleles and guitars."

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New Siloam CEO on expressing God's love, improving Indigenous relationships

Siloam Mission is optimistic about its future after announcing changes in leadership and plans to improve its relationships with the Indigenous community in Winnipeg.

Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud will be starting her new position as CEO of Siloam Mission on November 15, thrilled to join them.

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