Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social
Winnipegger.
Believer in people of all abilities.
He/Him
Believer in people of all abilities.
He/Him
“My Heart Can’t Bear” is the headline from Trent Ernst, sole reporter for Tumbler Ridgeline. Truly. Holding Tumbler Ridge in my thoughts in the wake of this horrible tragedy.
February 11, 2026 at 1:19 PM
“My Heart Can’t Bear” is the headline from Trent Ernst, sole reporter for Tumbler Ridgeline. Truly. Holding Tumbler Ridge in my thoughts in the wake of this horrible tragedy.
This story is bonkers. Bienfait is just east of Estevan SK.
Sask. man fights off starving moose with fists, shovel and bullets to save his mother | CBC News
A starving and cold moose was huddled against the house, tucked next to the warmth of a dryer vent. It didn’t take long before it attacked Angie Tuffnell.
www.cbc.ca
February 11, 2026 at 12:45 AM
This story is bonkers. Bienfait is just east of Estevan SK.
Reposted by Oly Backstrom
#Breaking: U.S. President Donald #Trump is threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, poised to become the newest border crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Trump threatens to block opening of new bridge between Ontario and Michigan | CBC News
U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, poised to become the newest border crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit.
www.cbc.ca
February 9, 2026 at 11:18 PM
#Breaking: U.S. President Donald #Trump is threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, poised to become the newest border crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
This bridge being built between Windsor ON and Detroit MI, fully paid for by Canada, is called the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
It is literally the Elbows Up bridge. Yes, this is real life.
It is literally the Elbows Up bridge. Yes, this is real life.
Trump: “The first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup.”
February 9, 2026 at 11:02 PM
This bridge being built between Windsor ON and Detroit MI, fully paid for by Canada, is called the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
It is literally the Elbows Up bridge. Yes, this is real life.
It is literally the Elbows Up bridge. Yes, this is real life.
Reposted by Oly Backstrom
Reposted by Oly Backstrom
Love love love.
This is joyous
#BadBunny's performers continued to dance and party outside the stadium after the #SuperBowl #HalftimeShow
February 9, 2026 at 4:34 AM
Love love love.
So thoughtful, so powerful.
Holding us accountable for the shameful failure to restore power to PR
February 9, 2026 at 1:51 AM
So thoughtful, so powerful.
Mennonite Choir to Perform at Extra-Alternative Halftime Show (via @ungerreview.bsky.social)
Mennonite Choir to Perform at Extra-Alternative Halftime Show
FRESNO, CA For those looking for an alternative halftime show to either Bad Bunny or Kid Rock, the Fresno Central Mennonite Church is inviting guests to listen to their choir this afternoon. “We felt ...
www.ungerreview.com
February 8, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Mennonite Choir to Perform at Extra-Alternative Halftime Show (via @ungerreview.bsky.social)
It’s a good day to remember Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens with no U.S. voting rights if on the island.
I hope Bad Bunny wins the Super Bowl.
I hope Bad Bunny wins the Super Bowl.
February 8, 2026 at 6:07 PM
It’s a good day to remember Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens with no U.S. voting rights if on the island.
I hope Bad Bunny wins the Super Bowl.
I hope Bad Bunny wins the Super Bowl.
I hope Lindsay Vonn is okay. The immediate crowd shot was like a microcosm of the human condition.
February 8, 2026 at 2:10 PM
I hope Lindsay Vonn is okay. The immediate crowd shot was like a microcosm of the human condition.
2K followers! Thanks real people and bots!
February 7, 2026 at 6:28 PM
2K followers! Thanks real people and bots!
I love the podcasts, and have more than my fair share of newsy stuff. When my brain needs a break and a balm, though, Norah Jones “Playing Along” fits the bill. She meets, plays along with and talks to a variety of musical artists. It’s terrific. Search her out where you get your podcasts.
Norah Jones Is Playing Along with Nathaniel Rateliff (Podcast Season 2 Episode 15)
YouTube video by Norah Jones
youtu.be
February 7, 2026 at 3:43 PM
I love the podcasts, and have more than my fair share of newsy stuff. When my brain needs a break and a balm, though, Norah Jones “Playing Along” fits the bill. She meets, plays along with and talks to a variety of musical artists. It’s terrific. Search her out where you get your podcasts.
I’m going to take a break from the doom today and share things I appreciate, love, or bring me joy. Christian Cassidy/Westend Cassidy is s Winnipeg treasure, and he continues to curate West End Dumplings http://westenddumplings.blogspot.com/. Give him a follow!
My Winnipeg Free Press Community Review column this week is about Winnipeg’s Orpheum Theatre, which closed its Fort Street doors 80 years ago this week. The Orpheum bought many future superstars to town. Read about its history and its acts here:
www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communit...
Orpheum Theatre brought future stars to town
www.winnipegfreepress.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:31 PM
I’m going to take a break from the doom today and share things I appreciate, love, or bring me joy. Christian Cassidy/Westend Cassidy is s Winnipeg treasure, and he continues to curate West End Dumplings http://westenddumplings.blogspot.com/. Give him a follow!
Take a moment to read about this remarkable Winnipegger, Dr. Marion Lewis, who changed lives, saved lives, and recently passed away at 100 years of age.
She helped save countless lives
Dr. Marion Lewis, whose work helped lead to the effective treatment and prevention of Rh disease, saving the lives of countless newborns, was a pioneering Winnipeg scientist whose influence extended w...
www.winnipegfreepress.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Take a moment to read about this remarkable Winnipegger, Dr. Marion Lewis, who changed lives, saved lives, and recently passed away at 100 years of age.
Reposted by Oly Backstrom
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Where is the USA at re: various aspects of autocracy? How is it trending one year into the current administration? The answer: not optimal. NYT gift link
Opinion | ICE and Minnesota Have Pushed the U.S. Closer to Autocracy (Gift Article)
Measuring America’s slide toward democratic erosion.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Where is the USA at re: various aspects of autocracy? How is it trending one year into the current administration? The answer: not optimal. NYT gift link
Sean Burns and his crackerjack honky tonk crew at Park Alley Lanes.
February 6, 2026 at 4:16 AM
Sean Burns and his crackerjack honky tonk crew at Park Alley Lanes.
Reposted by Oly Backstrom
Beyond Job Coaching - Part 1: The Limitations of Traditional Approaches
Part of a new three-part eLearning course series by @liveworkplay.bsky.social, developed in partnership with Ready, Willing & Able.
Start the 10 minute course: theinclusiveworkplace.ca/en/courses/b...
Part of a new three-part eLearning course series by @liveworkplay.bsky.social, developed in partnership with Ready, Willing & Able.
Start the 10 minute course: theinclusiveworkplace.ca/en/courses/b...
February 5, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Beyond Job Coaching - Part 1: The Limitations of Traditional Approaches
Part of a new three-part eLearning course series by @liveworkplay.bsky.social, developed in partnership with Ready, Willing & Able.
Start the 10 minute course: theinclusiveworkplace.ca/en/courses/b...
Part of a new three-part eLearning course series by @liveworkplay.bsky.social, developed in partnership with Ready, Willing & Able.
Start the 10 minute course: theinclusiveworkplace.ca/en/courses/b...
I’m doing the push-up challenge in February (I’ll sub in other exercises as needed for my old man shoulders) in support of CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg. Support mental health awareness and supports and sponsor me!
<abbr class=EN-element>The Push-Up Challenge</abbr><abbr class=FR-element>Le Défi push-up</abbr>
<abbr class=EN-element>I am taking on The Push-Up Challenge to raise funds for mental health. Funds raised will help CMHA support mental illness recovery and foster positive mental health outcomes in ...
www.thepushupchallenge.ca
February 4, 2026 at 1:10 PM
I’m doing the push-up challenge in February (I’ll sub in other exercises as needed for my old man shoulders) in support of CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg. Support mental health awareness and supports and sponsor me!
Minneapolis
Land of the free ❌
Home of the brave ✔️
Land of the free ❌
Home of the brave ✔️
happening this morning in Minneapolis -- ICE agents drawing guns on observers. I reiterate again that it is only a matter of time before DHS kills more innocent people in Minnesota. Congress needs to shut this shit down right now.
February 3, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Minneapolis
Land of the free ❌
Home of the brave ✔️
Land of the free ❌
Home of the brave ✔️
Nuclear arms for Canada? Essentially "never say never".
Globe and Mail gift link
Globe and Mail gift link
Canada should keep options open on acquiring nuclear weapons, former top soldier says
Retired general Wayne Eyre says the question of whether to develop a nuclear deterrent is not an immediate concern
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Nuclear arms for Canada? Essentially "never say never".
Globe and Mail gift link
Globe and Mail gift link
Jim Pattinson Group stands down; will not sell warehouse space to ICE. NYT gift article
Canadian Company Cancels Sale of Virginia Warehouse to ICE
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:24 AM
Jim Pattinson Group stands down; will not sell warehouse space to ICE. NYT gift article
Sunday playlist: beautiful new release from Emily Scott Robinson
Emily Scott Robinson - Appalachia
Listen to Appalachia on TIDAL
tidal.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Sunday playlist: beautiful new release from Emily Scott Robinson