Svjetlana mlinarevic
Journalist/ Photojournalist
Writing
Niverville author wins prestigious prize
June 15, 2023
*Winner of the 2024 CCNA Award for Best Arts Coverage
As Manitobans celebrate Pride this month, one author that should be on everybody’s lips is K.R. Byggdin whose book Wonder World is quickly becoming known in literary circles.
Portager nominated for a Juno
February 4, 2015
*Winner of the 2016 MCNA Award for Best Arts and Culture Story
Gordon Fitzell, a composer based in Winnipeg but born and raised in Portage la Prairie, was nominated for the Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year for the album Magister Ludi.
Camp of a cannibal
December 7, 2012
*Winner of the 2013 AWNA Award for Best Feature Story
In the 40th anniversary of the Martin Hartwell plane crash of Nov. 8, 1972, the Yellowknifer revisits the tragedy that gripped Canada. Hartwell was rescued after 31 days in the Canadian bush, surviving only after resorting to cannibalism.
Homeowners facing slopping issues in wedgewood
August 18, 2017
Four households are facing the possibility that their properties will fall into Bear Creek. This week, those residents came to the county for the third time demanding something be done to save their homes, but ultimately to no avail as the municipality has decided not to help them.
Homelessness in Grande Prairie: A personal account
July 27, 2017
The recent release of the Homeless Initiatives Annual Report showed homeless numbers dropping by a third in the second year of the city's five year mission to reduce homelessness. And while written reports are helpful, a first hand perspective is needed for those who wish to better understand a life on the streets.
Saving a language, culture
September 12, 2016
Victoria Wanihadie is on a campaign to bring back the Beaver/Tsuten/Dunne-za language as it has become virtually extinct.
HIV North denied development permit
2015
Non-profit HIV North was floored by the rejection from the City of Grande Prairie’s community growth committee when it unanimously denied the organization’s application for a discretionary use development permit to redesignate its office as a community outreach facility.
Idle No More protesters block highway
Dec. 15, 2012
More than 200 people stood side by side at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 16 in peaceful protest demanding their voices be heard. The protesters were objecting to Bill C-45, an omnibus bill that makes changes to the Indian Act including giving the federal government more control regarding reserves and affecting land management. The bill also relaxes environmental assessment regulations.
Hoop and Holler residents angry
April 16, 2014
Hoop and Holler residents are angry at Premier Greg Selinger for considering breaching the Hoop and Holler bend. Residents in the area say the 2011 breach not only damaged property, but damaged land with silt deposits.
Murder in MacGregor
May 28, 2014
A 96-year-old man was found murdered in his MacGregor home by RCMP officers. Police report finding the body of Niels “Arne” Nielsen at 13 Talbot Street East. After performing an autopsy and investigating his home, the RCMP have determined his death was a homicide.
Local reaction to murdered, missing women
May 22, 2014
The issuance of the RCMP’s report on murdered and missing Indigenous women has brought to light how vulnerable Indigenous women are in Canada. The national overview found 1,181 aboriginal women were either missing or murdered between 1980 and 2012. The report stated that perpetrators of violence against these women were largely casual acquaintances followed by intimate partners.
Family searches for answers to daughter’s death
January 2014
Rocelyn Gabriel, 20, was found covered in snow at the Portage and District Recycling depot shortly after 8 a.m. on Jan. 26. Portage RCMP and EMS found her conscious and transported her to Portage District General Hospital where she later died from causes of extreme exposure. Her family is looking for answers to her death.
A woman's quest to find her past
May 14, 2013
In a small and tidy living room, Geneva Smoke talks excitedly as she runs her hands over documents and photos pinned neatly to her wall. Her smile gets wider and her speech quicker as she points to photos of her family. Smoke is Sioux.
Living the simple life
October 23, 2013
Ciara Dawn Latendresse and Bill ‘$2 Bill’ Miles have spent the last three years of their lives backpacking through Eastern Canada. Now, the couple is slowly making their way west to British Columbia, but has decided to spend the winter in Rossendale.
Escaping to a new world
November 4, 2013
Cousins Junia and Rodney Waldner grew up in Hillside Hutterite colony just north of Brandon. In their twenties, they decided they wanted more from life and they left the colony. They have written a book, Hutterites: Our Story to Freedom, detailing their experiences along with seven other ex-colony members from North Dakota and Canada.
Nursing shortage in Portage
May 8, 2013
A nursing shortage at the Portage District General Hospital has stretched its nursing core to the limit and placed expectant mothers in a tough spot. The shortage in the obstetrics unit has lead some expectant mothers to deliver elsewhere.