Summer 2026 Newsletter
Justice for Kiana
On July 6, we stood with the family of Kiana Everett at a vigil outside the Winnipeg Remand Centre. Kiana died while locked inside the detention centre on July 1. She was 25 years old. Kiana was the third person to die inside the Remand Centre this year and only the most recent of countless relatives who have died preventable deaths inside its walls. Her blood is on the hands of all Remand Centre guards, all Manitoba Justice officials, the Manitoba NDP who refuse to close the Remand Centre, and all civil servants who have spent distinguished careers investigating, discussing, and ultimately doing nothing to stop Remand Centre deaths.
As a gift to the community, Kiana’s family have chosen to speak publicly about what happened and to demand justice in the hopes of ending Remand Centre deaths once and for all. On July 6, Kiana’s family announced they are considering an encampment on the front lawn of the Remand Centre if officials do not take appropriate action after meeting with the family. Please stay tuned for further information on how we can support her family at this time. #JusticeForKiana
Book & Bake Sale Recap
This year’s 9th annual book sale was another wonderful success! Thanks to over 100 volunteers, our annual fundraiser on a rainy Saturday in June was a hit. With over 250 attendees, we were able to raise just under $6,000 for Prison Libraries Committee and Bar None. A big thank-you to all who attended. We look forward to seeing you at our 10th annual sale next year!
Join us for Prisoner Justice Day on August 8, 9, and 10
On Saturday, August 8, Abolitionist Futures will be hosting an art opening with readings from the newest edition of The Inside Scoop. If you’d like to take part, go to the Community Design and Planning Centre at 245 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg.
Join us for our community walk on Sunday, August 9 at 10am, starting at Manitou House (94 McGregor Street, Winnipeg). We would love to get a Bar None group together, so if you are interested in joining us, please send us an email (barnone.wpg@gmail.com). We will then start a separate email thread to coordinate.
The next day on Monday, August 10 at 12pm, Manitou House will be hosting a Pipe Ceremony & Sweatlodge. No registration is required, just show up!
Please invite your networks and show up to honour those who passed and/or were harmed by western justice systems. If you have any questions, please contact Jenelle Smith at jenelle.smith@nativeclan.org or 204-943-7357 extension 2.
Run in the annual Stony Mountain Half-Marathon on August 15
We are recruiting participants for the 2026 Stony Mountain Half-Marathon & Relay being held on Saturday, August 15. Runners can enter for the entire half-marathon, or can run a partial distance of 10km or 5km.
We raise money for Strength in the Circle, a group that supports Indigenous men in healing from personal and systemic trauma and building a healthier culture of masculinity. Proceeds will also go to Makwa Andawiiwen Inc, which is a new group dedicated to supporting the families of missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys.
To register, please email Jacquie at jacquie_nicholson@yahoo.ca.
Hip Hop 101 / Manitoba Prisoner Solidarity Network
In collaboration with Hip Hop 101 on 101.5 UMFM, Manitoba Prisoner Solidarity Network (MBPSN) is working on upcoming panels on Gladue reports and changes to Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) policy in federal prisons. Stay tuned to Hip Hop 101 to hear these panels!
Follow MBPSN on Instagram @mbprisonersolidarity for details on upcoming recordings.
Read the spring issue of the Inside Scoop
The Inside Scoop is a magazine filled with poetry, stories, editorials, and artwork submitted by currently and formerly incarcerated folks across the country. It is published four times a year and sent to correctional facilities across Canada. The latest edition is all about food.
Inside Scoop (What Feeds Us, Spring 2026)
Come to our next monthly meeting
We now have a new, accessible meeting location with a ramp! We welcome you to join us to hear what we’re working on, and maybe become a volunteer or organizing member if you feel called to do so.
Join us on Sunday, August 16 at 3pm at Kelly’s Corner (646 Logan Ave, Winnipeg). Please email us at barnone.wpg@gmail.com if you plan to attend in case any of the meeting details change. We would love to see you there!