U Radio

A Winnipeg organization is creating an energetic atmosphere and community for people who moved from the Caribbean.  Pegcity Steppers is now collaborating with the Jamaican High Commission in Canada to celebrate Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of Independence.  To tell us about the virtual Wellness Seminar and Fitness Challenge that will take place, here’s Shana and Natalya.  https://pegc...

Sometimes creators blow my mind, and Trevor Lai is one of those people. An author, artist and founder of UP Studios, Trevor is an inspiration for pursuing careers through their creativity. http://upstudios.cn/ https://trevorlai.com/ Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

For movie fans, a festival in Winnipeg connects you with directors and filmmakers to create a community around film. The Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival runs until March 15, with films of all backgrounds to tell stories, bridge cultures and experiences, and enjoy movies. https://www.winnipegfilmfestival.com/ Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

A first-of-its-kind festival is taking place in rural Manitoba. Winter Fest, a celebration of the heat of the islands and the cold of the Canadian winter, invites Manitobans for music, camaraderie, and delicious Jamaican food. I checked out the festival's test drive Thursday and spoke with organizer Neville Hamilton and musician JEDIMZ. https://www.iralfest.com/event-details/ https://www.facebook....

Although there are many memorable activities to enjoy during the Canadian winter, one can sometimes miss the warm weather of summer. In Steinbach, Manitoba, a new restaurant can help warm you up with delicious Jamaican food. Neville Hamilton is a busy man. Not only did he create the International Reggae Afro Latin Music & Arts Festival, but he is now the proud owner of the Di Reggae Grill. htt...

Bohdana Kornelyuk immigrated to Canada four years ago to study, pursuing a master's degree. Bohdana now works in Canada.  With her family still living in Ukraine, she's had restless nights as the invasion from Russia continues. She now speaks out with thousands of other Ukrainian Canadians for the world's leaders to aid her home country.  This interview was conducted on February 25, 2022...

What does it take to become a doctor? Of course, the years of diligent study, but also a drive to understand what ails people, and a passion heal the wounded. Dr. Jared Bullard exemplifies those traits. Not only is he a pediatric infectious disease expert, but he is driven to inspire the doctors of tomorrow. Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Dr. Orest Cap and his brother Alexander share their thoughts and messages from family and friends as Moscow attacks the sovereign borders of Ukraine.  Dr. Cap is a professor emeritus from the University of Manitoba and holds a Ph. D. in technical-vocational education, and Alexander the Principal at Holy Cross School. Both have friends and family in Ukraine, some in the eastern region.  T...

ACOMI, African Communities of Manitoba Inc, unites the Winnipeg community through unity and friendship of people of African heritage in Manitoba and understanding between peoples of African heritage and Canadians of all backgrounds.  With it being black history month, I wanted to connect with ACOMI to learn about the organization and some of its programs coming in the future. With more, here’...

Last winter, U Multicultural hosted an Ethnic Music Concert Series, inviting artists of all backgrounds to share their music. One of those groups was the Dust Rhinos.  This 5-piece Celtic rock group has seen members come and go. The current roster, Ryan Spracklin, Darren Wittmann, Ivanka Wtkin, Dan Cannon, and Blair McEvoy, is a tight-knit group of friends ready to perform traditional airs an...

As we're looking ahead to spring and summer and COVID restrictions easing in many provinces, many are cautiously optimistic about what the future holds for festivals and cultural events. A group from the Greater Victoria area is in that boat, ready for the possibility of hosting their folk festival this summer. Let's sit down with members of Folktoria to find out about this celebration of diversit...

Winnipeg got a special visitor this February with a visit from the Swedish Ambassador to Canada, Urban Ahlin. Before Ambassador Urban took a trip on some kicksleds onto the Red River, he shared how Sweden uses these sleds and his experience visiting Ottawa.  Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

I met up with Sonja Lundstrom, President of the Swedish Cultural Association, and Anders Swanson from Winnipeg Trails Association to talk about the highlights of the Swedish Ambassador's visit to Winnipeg.  They also share what Canada can learn from Nordic countries, how to enjoy the wonders of winter, and how to better connect to the lands.  https://www.winnipegtrails.ca/ https://www.sc...

Valerii Pasko is a Ukrainian community member in Winnipeg, Manitoba, who immigrated to Canada 11 years ago. An active member of his community, Pasko is a co-publisher of the Ukrainian Winnipeg Magazine.  Pasko's parents still live in Ukraine and keep him updated with the situation transpiring on the country's border.  This interview was conducted on January 29, 2022.

A new award-winning documentary, directed by Jennifer Holness, tackles the often dangerous portrayals of black women in media and the shift in North American beauty standards towards embracing black female aesthetics.  Jennifer sat down with me to discuss the film and how we can improve representation in our media. https://subjectsofdesire.com/ Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcgui...

Once the excitement of Christmas has faded and the new year has come and gone, it doesn't feel like there's much to anticipate until the spring. Luckily, there's the largest winter festival in Western Canada, Festival du Voyageur.  Celebrate Voyageur, Métis, and First Nations histories February 18-27 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. https://heho.ca/en/ Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire...

As diplomatic measures are taken between NATO nations and Putin, the people of Ukraine wait in uncertainty about what the future will bring.  A retired professor from the Saint Andrews College at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Roman Yereniuk, discusses the history of Ukraine. Its declaration of independence in 1991, and his thoughts on the current crisis the country is facing.  This int...

Dr. Orest Cap is a professors emeritus from the University of Manitoba and holds a Ph. D. in technical-vocational education. Dr. Cap has been published in various national and international journals and has been involved in several research initiatives with Ukraine. Dr. Cap breaks down how the current crisis in Ukraine has affected its people and the international community. This interview was con...

When you live in Winnipeg, it may seem like Manitoba is a city province. Once you head past the perimeter, you quickly realize a lot of southern Manitoba is farmland. Let's take a deep dive into one group of early farmers, the Mennonites. We have Conrad from the Mennonite Archives share their history with us. https://www.mharchives.ca/ Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

Podcasts are a fun way to pass the time.  Whether on a long drive or doing chores at home, what you can all learn is excellent. A new podcast by the Zoryan Institute is taking a deep dive into the stories of diaspora, their diverse and shared experiences of living away from, and returning to, their homelands. Host of the Dispersion podcast, Jen Haddow, shares what you can expect from the 6 ep...

We’re big fans of music on this program, not only listening to amazing creations but hearing about the stories and people behind them. When you listen to the top 40 hits on the radio or your favourite streaming service, although great in their own way, they can sometimes feel like they’re missing something, the living essence of what music can personify. Latin music is a great example of music as...

Music is transcendent. The swell of an orchestra in the triumphant moments of a hero, bops over the radio and you’re driving in your car, or the lively jumping and smooth soul of jazz in a club, music is incredibly flexible. A person who embodies that magical essence of music is a friend of U Multicultural Onna Lou. https://onnalou.com/ Intro and outro music: Mind Games - Mathew Mcguire.

If you’re feeling defeated, down, or frustrated with the ongoing pandemic, you’re not the only one. It’s easy to feel disconnected when you’re stuck in your place and can’t go out to do the things you enjoy. A great way to find some connection is through volunteering. Even in this pandemic, there are opportunities for you to give back to your community and find those connections.   For indivi...

Canada’s winters can be unpredictable. Here in Manitoba, one day, we can have lovely warm sun. The next, it can be blistering cold. Even those who have lived here their whole lives can get caught off-guard.  To help inform newcomers of the challenges of winter and settling in a new province, the Canadian Red Cross has the SmartStart Injury Prevention program. SmartStart Injury Prevention Prog...

I may be a bit biased, but the Winnipeg community is amazing. There’s no better example than Winnipeg’s North End. The North Point Douglas Women’s Centre is a gathering place for that community, with programs designed directly from the needs that the community has identified.  Tara Zajac is the Executive Director and shares how things have been going on at the centre.  https://www.npdwc....