A long list of community causes got some much-needed cash courtesy of a regional community foundation and its annual endowment.
The Northern Neighbours Foundation provided its 2024-25 round of funds in a ceremony at the Creighton Community Hall June 19, earmarking money for 23 separate community projects in Cranberry Portage, Creighton, Denare Beach, Flin Flon and Snow Lake. The group gave out more than $167,000 in total money, with eight projects getting amounts in the five figures.
“Any time that we can help promote Northern Neighbours, every community can benefit,” said Jane Robillard, the group’s president, during the June 19 ceremony.
The biggest-earning project in this year’s slate will be in Snow Lake, where the Town of Snow Lake will receive $16,284.44 to build a new warm-up shack at the Brentwood rink, the community’s newest and sole remaining permanent outdoor hockey rink.
Another big winner is the Lord’s Bounty Food Bank, which will put $15,000 in money from the foundation toward repairing and partially replacing the floor of their headquarters at Hiawatha Avenue. The Association for Community Living, who oversees the Vocational Training Centre and New to Me store, will get $12,600 to build a new wheelchair ramp, while the Northern Village of Denare Beach will receive money for a new trail groomer and brush cutter for trails near the community - to the tune of $12,271.
Three projects in Creighton will receive a five-figure sum for their work. The Creighton Community Centre will get $12,174 for a new wheelchair ramp, while Northern Growing Abilities has received $10,933 for electrical upgrades and a security camera set-up. The upgrades are meant to prevent break-ins and keep people safe while working in or picking from the centre’s community garden.
The Creighton Sportex will be the third place in Creighton to get funds, this time receiving the money for replacing its main doors. The project will get $10,000 in money from the foundation, meant to help make the facility more accessible.
Four projects in Cranberry Portage will receive Northern Neighbours cash - a permanent gazebo, tipi and sculptures will be set up by organizers of the Cranberry Portage Artisan Market, to the tune of $9,975, while the Cranberry Portage Tourism Project will devote their $5,831 donation to new marketing and signage for the community. Another $4,826 will be sent to the Cranberry Portage Heritage Museum to conduct, save and digitize archival interviews with local historical figures and $2,075 will go toward Cranberry Portage-based Citizens for Protecting Northern Waterways to start an information campaign on the danger of aquatic invasive species, including zebra mussels.
Two projects with Creighton Community School were approved - $7,000 for the school’s outdoor education program for new supplies, including canoes, paddles and lifejackets, with another $1,000 for the school to buy a Cricut die-cutting machine and heat press. Both the Denare Beach Fire Department and Denare Beach recreation board got money too, with $4,561 to the fire department to buy an inflatable boat for water and ice rescue and $4,000 to the rec board for a new sound system at the DenarePlex.
A pair of Flin Flon-based reconciliation-centred projects also got money - the Elders and Knowledge Keepers group received $5,000 to set aside a specific gathering space at Hapnot Collegiate and another $4,300 was sent to the Memorial Art Reconciliation Committee, an offshoot of the City’s truth and reconciliation committee which will put up a reconciliation-themed sculpture by local artist Doug Dmytriw at Pioneer Square. The Nemihitowok Hoop Troupe also received a grant, getting $1,800 for new drums and supplies for the youth dance organization.
The Flin Flon Ski Club is receiving $4,500 to work on the club’s trails and to build and install a permanent pergola structure. The Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre will soon have a new energy-efficient airhandling system, getting financing to the tune of $5,000. Hapnot Collegiate’s new lacrosse program will soon get $3,273 worth of new bespoke field lacrosse helmets, while the Flin Flon Bombers will get $5,000 to go towards replacing the public address and sound system at the Whitney Forum.
The Northern Neighbours Foundation has provided community grants for different projects and causes since 1994. The group works with a long list of donors and contributors, including the Winnipeg-based Moffat Foundation, to fund the projects.
