New Hope for the North End

July 31, 2026

Recently, I had the good fortune to return to my photographic roots and provide photography for the Canadian Press for a story on efforts in Winnipeg’s North End to renew the William Whyte neighbourhood and turn a growing number of vacant or derelict housing lots into new housing.

This story was doubly rewarding, firstly because photographing everyday life and reality is what I love most about the medium. Secondly, it was a chance to learn something new and see an aspect of my city I never would have otherwise. To experience something firsthand is to learn about it as thoroughly as one can, and I walked away from this assignment knowing more about this effort and, more importantly, gain some hope based on what I learned.

It took many years for this once-thriving neighbourhood to fall prey to the problems caused by poverty and neglect, but it can be turned around. You can read the excellent story by Ian Bickis online, including this version

If you prefer, a brief video accompanying his story, produced by Ian as well, can be seen here

Jesse Bettcher stands in front of his new home in the North End near Pritchard Avenue, Tuesday July 21 2026 , Winnipeg MB. Bettcher’s home was infill built on the site of a vacant lot.
(Colin Corneau/Canadian Press)

Darrell Warren president of the William Whyte Community Association, stands by three derelict houses which have been the site of repeated fires in recent months, Tuesday July 21 2026 , Winnipeg MB.
(Colin Corneau/Canadian Press)

A vacant lot is seen in the North End near Pritchard Avenue, Tuesday July 21 2026 , Winnipeg MB.
(Colin Corneau/Canadian Press)

A row of three derelict homes in the William Whyte neighbourhood that have been the site of a dozen fires in recent months.
(Colin Corneau/Canadian Press)

Achilles Peloquin walks her dog in the William Whyte neighbourhood near Pritchard Avenue, Tuesday July 21 2026 , Winnipeg MB.
(Colin Corneau/Canadian Press)

A vacant home, boarded up and tagged with graffiti, is seen on Selkirk Avenue in the William Whyte neighbourhood.
(Colin Corneau/Canadian Press)

A thriving community garden is seen on a former vacant house lot in the William Whyte neighbourhood in the North End, Tuesday July 21 2026 , Winnipeg MB.
(Colin Corneau/Canadian Press)

Darrell Warren president of the William Whyte Community Association walks through the North End near Pritchard Avenue, Tuesday July 21 2026 , Winnipeg MB. As someone who has spent all of his 65 years there, he remembers when people sat on their doorsteps, visited and watched out for one another.
"I remember how beautiful the neighbourhood was, and how viable the neighbourhood was and everything else," he said.
"I believe we can get back there."
(Colin Corneau/Canadian Press)

Prayers

March 16, 2022

For the past several years, I’ve been pursuing a personal project on faith and rituals - producing images of the various things different peoples do to show their faith.
One of the first places I went to was St. Vladimir’s and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in the city’s North End. I was warmly welcomed and the priest was encouraging and open to my project. It was an invaluable confidence builder and paved the way for any subsequent work I did.

It was this familiarity that I took into returning to the beautiful landmark cathedral this weekend, as prayers were given new urgency with the war continuing in the Ukrainian homeland. I wanted to continue my work documenting faith but also see the faith being offered to those suffering from the current conflict.

By coincidence, a rally for Ukraine at the provincial Legislature was also taking place later that day, a chance for prayers of a different sort at a different landmark building — a ritual of faith to strengthen a common bond.

For those wishing to help, St. Vladimir’s and Olga Cathedral is accepting donations for Ukrainian citizens suffering under war. And of course, the Canadian Red Cross is also a trustworthy, effective organization to help those in need.

Kosmii and Mykhaila Liuba offer silent prayers at St. Vladimir’s and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral during Sunday mass.

Angels symbolizing peace adorn the altar as a congregant lights candles at St. Vladimir’s and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral during Sunday mass.

A rally at the Manitoba Legislature Sunday afternoon drew members and supporters of the city’s Ukrainian community.

Golden Hour in the North End

November 12, 2020

I once had a friend tell me a photographer is a person who takes more pictures on vacation than they do at their work.

This rung true to me (it’s certainly been true for my vacations) and I was reminded of it again this week as I shivered on the Arlington Street Bridge in the frosty air of pre-dawn, waiting for the sun to rise over the wide expanse of the railyards that are the boundary of sorts where the fabled North End begins.

I could have taken the day to sleep in, but I knew a clear sunrise was probably only going to happen this once, before the really cold temperatures arrived and all that waiting became a lot less tolerable. So, on a day free I actually woke up earlier…and I’m so glad I did.
The railyard is a basic industrial site and not what many would consider a ‘pretty’ landscape — but I knew there was something special there, and in the right light at the right time it was certainly pretty to me. Here’s hoping you can step out of ‘autopilot’ for even a moment and see the beauty in everyday life.