Working Draft Magazine

Manitoba Hydro has been Winnipeg's main source of energy since the 1920s.

They advertise their energy as clean and green — but are we being greenwashed?

An inside look at a mining town: successes, resilience, and the inevitable loss for the people of Flin Flon.

Three Manitobans say microdosing "magic mushrooms" has helped them with their mood, motivation, and mindset, but psilocybin is still an illegal substance. What does the scientific community say?

The demand for cheap clothing has fueled a culture of overconsumption. It’s time to swap fast fashion for a sustainable future.

When you've got a foot in three worlds, it's hard to know where you belong.

Learn how to harness the power of cold therapy.

Blacklegged tick populations are on the rise in Manitoba. Can anything be done beyond self-directed prevention, or is Manitoba setting itself up for a repeat of the spread of zebra mussels? By Stephen Bennett

Immigrants leave their home countries in hopes of a better quality of life for themselves and their families, but at what cost to their health? By Elisha Corsiga.

Social media has been crucial in amplifying grassroots voices in the digital age. But in a world of infinite content and minimal regulation, can we tell the difference between 'real grass' and astroturf?

Water — the Earth's blanket — connects us all. As a little girl, I looked at the ocean with pure wonder, but as I've learned about inequalities and seen destruction in our waterways, my relationship to water has gotten more complicated. - Shauna Turnley

My ancestors hail from Holland, Scotland, and Ukraine, but I’ve never felt connected to any of them. I found myself in my stepfamily.

By Miranda McGregor

We may not know what happens after we die, but should know the environmental impact of our end-of-life decisions. — Madison Reynolds

A newbie's account of winter foraging in Manitoba.

Microplastics are harmful to marine life, ecosystems, and human health — and they are turning up everywhere. How should we respond?

Cultural connection takes effort and engagement, so what does an immigrant family do when stuck between tainted traditions, a disconnected diaspora, and the promises and pitfalls of a new, naturalized life? - Sergiy Volotovskyy

Is your pint green? Learn how craft breweries are reducing their environmental impact and what you can do to help.

To overcome grief in the present, I made a movie of the past.

After soldiers break down the gates to your childhood home and take your parents away, how do you find home again? 

A story of seeing and being seen.

By Kieran Redmond

In a male-dominated industry that's barely able to retain women, what experiences have other gender and sexual minorities had? Four queer people share their stories from working in an all-boys club — the engineering profession.

What do you do when your kid needs access to medical care, but it isn’t covered in Manitoba? You become a healthcare advocate. 

When his culture clashes with his surroundings, one first-generation immigrant wonders what it means to be Filipino.

For many cancer survivors, evidence-based complementary therapies are an informal part of their treatment plan. How can our health care system support the use of these therapies to help them live well beyond remission?

We all know a narcissist. They lie, cheat, manipulate, alienate, and game the system. But, is it possible for them to change?

Water is what draws people to Whiteshell Provincial Park each summer — but what happens when there's too much of it? Flooding in spring 2022 led to tough decisions for cottagers and residents who are thinking about the future in a changing climate.

We know that spending time outdoors is crucial for our mental and physical well-being. Forest bathing is a way to step into the trees and feel the magic — all year round.

Nonverbal Learning Disorder has shaped my identity and mental health. My journey to understanding myself begins with a doll house.

Moving to a hobby farm during the pandemic helped a young woman quiet the anxiety she'd been struggling with since childhood. 

When Gen Z is suffocated by fashion trends and social-media extremes, how are they supposed to change the world?

Thousands of newcomers seek refuge in “Friendly Manitoba” every year, but they don’t expect the extremity of Manitoba winters and the transportation issues that comes along with it. 

At different stages of my life, my self-worth hung on my ability to satisfy society's expectations of women, but when I began to interrogate these traditional gender roles — and notice how I'd internalized them — I started to break free. 

Vaping has spread through our youth like a plague. In its wake, a teenager is left to figure out how to deal with addiction, the government struggles to create sensible regulations, and a booming industry sacrifices morality for money. — Natan Ruman

Girls are getting their periods earlier than a century ago, so conversations about menstruation need to happen earlier. But who is responsible for this, and is it happening? 

When a tragic death in the family occurs, a young second-generation Laotian woman is forced to confront her cultural identity and reconcile with her past.

Summers spent at our extended family's "camp" in the prairies marked the beats of growing up, like the time my cousin and I outran the rain, but when the violence at home in Winnipeg followed us out to the bush, I had something else to run from.

A high school student only knows one speed — full throttle. Then a blow to the head brings his life to a sudden halt. Months of prescribed rest teach him when to push and when to slow down.

My mom is Black, my dad is White. She’s from The Bahamas, he’s from Steinbach. I should have grown up between cultures. Yet, there was a hole where one half of my identity should have been. Some say you need to look back to move forward. I looked back to find what was lost. By Stacha Penner

An exploration of the strange relationship between superheroes, the environment, climate change, and the real power of comic books. 

By Connor Boyd

Learning to listen to your own heartbeat.

By David Chenier

Are all hunters ruthless killers? Explore how and why you should hunt with expert advice from Anishinaabe Elder Paul Guimond and hunting guide Roben Ogden.

What does it mean to camp like a girl? It means getting outside in spite of sexism and traditional gender norms. Two Manitoban organizations are getting women into the wilderness and celebrating how being outside helps women tap into their innate power — and have fun while doing it.

As Manitoba's climate warms at twice the global rate, what will happen to our favourite winter activities? Skiing and snowboarding are most at risk — as are the people who depend on them. 

By Joel Larson

Content warning: This piece contains eating disorders, self-harm, pedophilia, child grooming and child endangerment.

Disclaimer: The author has changed some names in this piece. Specific weights have been censored, as they are an unnecessary trigger.

A young girl logs onto Tumblr, and is greeted by the dark world of pedophilia, child-grooming, and eating disorder fetishization.

A love letter to jiu-jitsu.

By Tyler Searle

Content warning: this piece contains references to violence, suicide, child abuse, death, and mental illness.

Both pet adoption and surrender rates increased during the pandemic. How are people who work with animals coping?

By Joël Lizotte

Despite its rocky reputation, Tumblr is home to a thriving queer community. What sets Tumblr apart from other social media platforms and why do some people have such a hard time giving it up?

By Arin Streeter

How did recording studios in Winnipeg survive the COVID-19 pandemic? 

By Kevin Rodriguez

When your identity and your religion collide, how do you find a place to call home?

By: Bryce Hunt

The story of NHL defenceman Zach Whitecloud told by those who helped him along the way.

By Taylor Toews