On January 24, 2026, The Pas, Manitoba, will host a Seed Sharing Circle organized by The Pas OCN Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF). Organizers say the interactive workshop will bring together local gardeners and food-security advocates to focus on seed stewardship; the specific venue and details (the Chamber often uses community hubs such as the Roy H. Johnston Arena) and any registration or fee information are available through the Chamber’s website.
Participants can learn techniques for saving, protecting and exchanging seeds suited to Northern Manitoba’s growing zones through guided demonstrations and group discussions. Organizers say participants are welcome to bring packets of heirloom or climate-hardy seeds to share; interested gardeners should check the Chamber site for registration details and to confirm whether advance registration is required.
Organizers say the event aims to strengthen community resilience against rising food costs and supply-chain disruptions by preserving local plant varieties. Seed stewardship can help gardeners save money, safeguard genetic diversity and connect with traditional Métis and Cree knowledge of land-based food systems.
David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Métis Federation, wrote in a November 2022 presidential message: “We share a strong dedication to the land our Ancestors lived on, and to the stewardship and conservation of that land for generations to come.” Organizers say that sentiment reflects the MMF’s broader stewardship and food-security priorities.
Local garden networks and programs such as the Northern Healthy Foods Initiative have long promoted community gardens as a way to offset high grocery prices in the North. By bringing together the tri-community of The Pas, Opaskwayak Cree Nation and the RM of Kelsey, the Seed Sharing Circle is intended to reinforce collaborative efforts toward food sovereignty and economic development in the region.
