Menu

northwestern Ontario

Robert Williamson 3

Show us your NWO

, , , , , , ,

As another Northwestern Ontario winter fades into memory, we’re taking a moment to look back at the season that once again reminded us just how breathtaking this region can be. From deep freezes and fresh snowfall to golden hours that seemed to set the sky on fire, winter gave us no shortage of unforgettable moments, and you captured them beautifully.

Beautiful Sunset by Connie Calvert

Throughout the season, viewers from across NWO shared scenes that told winter’s story in quiet, powerful ways. Frozen lakes stretched out beneath pastel skies, framed by towering evergreens dusted in snow. Several submissions featured sunsets blazing through the trees, rich oranges and pinks melting into deep purples as daylight slipped away over snow-covered landscapes. Even in the coldest months, there was warmth in the light.

Some photos highlighted the stillness of winter mornings: the sun low on the horizon, casting long beams across icy paths and untouched snow, reminding us how peaceful the world can feel before the day fully wakes up. Others captured dramatic skies, soft cloud layers streaked with colour, glowing halos around the sun, and subtle rainbows hidden in winter light, proving that the sky itself was often the main event.

Fireworks by Connie Calvert

One striking submission showed a nighttime winter gathering illuminated by fireworks bursting into the sky, their reflections glowing against the snow below. In a season defined by darkness and cold, moments like these stood out, proof that winter is also a time for connection and celebration.

Winter’s Last Glow by Robert Williams

Now, as temperatures slowly rise and the days stretch longer, spring is beginning to take over. Snowbanks will shrink, trails will soften, and those same landscapes will soon look completely different. But thanks to you, the magic of this winter is preserved, one photo at a time.

Ignace, ON – Matt Doran

Thank you to everyone who shared their view, their moment, and their slice of Northwestern Ontario with us this season. As we close the chapter on winter, we’re already looking ahead, because no matter the season, there’s always something worth showing off in NWO.

🌅❄️🌱
Keep sharing your views, and keep showing us your NWO.

Email in your photos:

Kenora – info@yourkenora.ca

Dryden – info@yoursunsetcountry.ca

Fort Frances/Rainy River – info@yourborderland.ca

Untitled design (16)

Show Us Your Northwestern Ontario!

, , , ,

As winter in NWO edges toward its slow, beautiful fade, we’re taking a moment to reflect on something special… the way you see this place we all love.

Over the past season, fans of yoursunsetcountry.ca , yourborderland.ca and yourkenora.ca have shared so many of stunning photos, sun dogs glowing fiery sunsets stretching across lakes, quiet forests heavy with snow, and the wildlife that watches us from the treeline. Each image is a reminder that even at the tail end of winter, NWO has a magic that never really goes away.

This is beauty in cold weather. – Connie Calvert

Camouflage? – Connie Calvert

But what really makes this collection meaningful isn’t just the scenery, it’s the people behind the lens. And Connie, we see you… thanks for all the fantastic submissions.

It’s the way you bundle up, head out onto the ice, or pause on your morning or evening commute because the sky suddenly turned pink. It’s the way you notice the small things: the tracks on a frozen bay, the halo around the sun, the way the last light of day filters through snow‑covered pines. It’s the way you share those moments with all of us. Your photos let the whole region, and far beyond, see Northwestern Ontario through your eyes. They remind us why we love it here: not only for the landscape, but for the people who live close to it, look closely at it, and cherish it enough to capture it.

Sun Dogs captured by Government Dock – Janine Ahoff

Sunset Extraordinaire – Dana Leonzio

So as winter slowly loosens its grip and we begin to look toward longer days, we thank you…
Thank you for braving the cold, for stopping to notice beauty, and for showing us your Northwestern Ontario!
Reminder: Daylight saving time will begin this year on March 8, at 2 a.m so be ready to set your clocks forward! Hoo-rah to more sunshine!

Please keep the photos coming, we never get tired of seeing what you see! Snap away! 📸

Email in your photos:

Kenora – info@yourkenora.ca
Dryden – info@yoursunsetcountry.ca
Fort Frances/Rainy River – info@yourborderland.ca

Manual snow removal

More snow on the way to Northwestern Ontario

, , , , ,

Another storm system is headed to Northwestern Ontario, but Environment Canada says there’s still some uncertainty with its track.

Special weather statements have been issued for areas including Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances.

Forecasts are calling for between 5 and 15 centimetres of snow on Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Current wind gust predictions are up to 60 kilometres per hour, and that could result in visibility issues.

Road closures are possible, and you should allow for extra time for travel.

Environment Canada will have updates if snowfall amounts or alerts need to be changed.

giivng tuesday

Baby supplies shipping off to northern families in need

Early child care essentials like diapers, formula, breast pumps and toys are on their way to remote northern communities.

These supplies will be donated to families for free through the Mikinakoos Children’s Fund.

The non-profit smashed their donation goal, raising over $26,000 through their Giving Tuesday Infant Campaign. This success allows them to make it a staple program and continue donations in 2026 and 2027.

“When you have a newborn, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to be able to afford diapers, especially in a community where sometimes supplies just aren’t available,” said Database Manager Will Scholz. “So it provides a lot of security to families who are facing a lot of insecurity, frankly.”

There have been four communities serviced so far: Sachigo Lake First Nation, Bearskin Lake First Nation, Keewaywin First Nation, and Kingfisher Lake First Nation.

“Different supplies that you and I would typically just take for granted being able to run out to the store to grab, are just not available in northern communities,” Executive Director Stephanie Paxton said. “Or if they are available, the cost is so incredibly inflated by three, sometimes four times the cost of what we pay here.”

The Mikinakoos Children’s Fund works with shipping partners like Bearson Airlines and Northstar Air to deliver these goods. These airlines sometimes offer discounted or completely free shipping out of charity.

“We’re really working to help support families and new parents in securing the best first start for their little babies in the north,” Paxton said. “Our mission is to make sure that every child has the best opportunity to thrive and survive in their home communities.”

To donate to the Mikinakoos Children’s Fund, visit their website.

“A huge thank you to the community,” Scholz said. “As a smaller non-profit, community support is always really essential for us meeting our goals and being able to support families in need.”

lempo-still-008

Free screenings of homegrown horror film part of Culture Days

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A made-in-Thunder Bay horror film is set to spook local audiences, starting Thursday night.

Written by Tina Petrick and directed by her filmmaking sibling Laura Lynn Petrick, Lempo is a Nordic-style folk horror film based on Finnish mythology, but set on the outskirts of Thunder Bay.

“Lempo started as the God of fertility and love and then when Christianity took over the country, he was transformed into the Devil himself,” says Tina about the real Finnish mythology that inspired the film. “I thought that served as such a beautiful metaphor for relationships and love. Sometimes a relationship can start in a really beautiful place and then end up turning out to be quite haunting.”

Filmed around the Thunder Bay area with the help of local cast and crew that Tina describes as “heavensent,” Lempo will screen for free Thursday through Sunday at the Co. Lab Gallery in Goods and Company Market on Red River Road as part of Culture Days, the three week-long series of free, or pay-what-you-can, activities and performances hosted by artists, cultural organizations and Thunder Bay.

For the Petrick sisters, it was a great opportunity to showcase not only their homegrown short-film to local audiences, but it was also a chance to present the filmmaking duo’s calling card.

“I think that’s always the dream for filmmakers who make a short, that it becomes a calling card and leads to bigger productions with bigger budgets,” says Tina. “It would be amazing to turn it into a feature or work on another feature-length production together and ideally, set it again in Thunder Bay.”

cumulus clouds and lightning

Update: More thunderstorms, strong winds expected in northwestern Ontario

,

More stormy weather is expected in northwestern Ontario.

Environment Canada issued thunderstorm warnings early Sunday afternoon for the Dryden, Vermilion Bay, Ear Falls, Lac Seul First Nation and Sioux Lookout areas.

Just after 6 p.m., the final thunderstorm warnings were ended.

“Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts,” said Environment Canada in the notice.

“Any thunderstorms that develop may produce strong wind gusts up to 100 km/h. Utility outages are possible. Significant damage to property, buildings and trees is possible.”

The forecaster says the storms are moving southwest to northeast, with multiple rounds of heavy showers possible for some areas, before tapering off later today.

The following areas are under rainfall warnings:

  • Kenora
  • Ear Falls
  • Grassy Narrows
  • Sioux Lookout
  • Red Lake
  • Pikangikum First Nation
  • Poplar Hill First Nation

Roughly 50 to 75 mm of rain is expected, with some areas that receive multiple thunderstorms possibly seeing more than 75 mm.

Strong winds are also expected in a number of locations, including:

  • Thunder Bay
  • Dryden
  • Fort Frances
  • Kenora
  • Sioux Lookout
  • Nipigon
  • Atikokan
  • Ignace
  • Nestor Falls

Winds of up to 70 to 90 km/h are expected to gust through the region on Sunday afternoon.