Local businessman aims to make seniors feel appreciated and safe

Jason Kerr
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Local businessman aims to make seniors feel appreciated and safe

Seniors need to be appreciated and protected.

That was the message from local businessman Osagie “Leo” Ekhaguere on Wednesday as he travelled to three Prince Albert locations handing out restaurant gift cards to local seniors.

Ekhaguere did something similar on Christmas Eve, when he travelled through Prince Albert handing out gift cards to homeless and vulnerable residents. On Wednesday, he decided to focus on seniors.

“We want to show that we love them, that they are not forgotten,” Ekhaguere said. “We want them to take that into their subconsciousness as they continue to age, that in this community, we are not just providing security services.  We also love our people.”

Ekhaguere said his Christian faith inspired him to start handing out gift cards. He was worried many local seniors think nobody cares about them. He’s hopeful those who received gift cards will feel like they are appreciated by the community.

Ideally, he’d like to see other local businesses do the same thing and make seniors feel welcome.

“If others would emulate this, it would be kind of like a snowball,” he said. “It will be better for everyone, so I want others to look at this and do the same. It will make our community better.”

Helping seniors feel appreciated wasn’t the only thing Ekhaguere wanted to accomplish on Wednesday.

Ekhaguere is the President and CEO of Lions Security, a company that provides on-site and cyber security services, and he’s worried about fraud calls and emails targeting seniors.

Along with the gift cards, Ekhaguere handed out a list of tips and best practices so seniors can make sure they are not taken advantage of.

“Most of our seniors are not cyber security conscious,” he said. “They don’t know how to protect themselves from cyber criminals.

“They (criminals) don’t care about anybody,” he added. “We want to educate our seniors so that they can fortify themselves … and don’t fall victim to those fraudsters. They are just … everywhere and in PA, our seniors are not conscious enough. We want to make them conscious. We want to teach them how to escape those cyber criminals.”

Ekhaguere said cyber criminals and fraudsters have several tricks they can use to get targets to give up passwords or other valuable information.

He encouraged all residents, not just seniors, to double check requests for money. When residents receive a suspicious call or email from what appears to be a bank or a government agency, Ekhaguere said residents should confirm it with a second source before sending any money or giving out any information.

In the case of suspicious emails, that means logging off an calling a bank, government agency, or family member.

One of the most important things seniors can do, Ekhaguere added, is beef up their passwords. He said residents with simple passwords made up of short words or easily guessed names and dates are leaving themselves vulnerable.

“Keeping it short gets them into trouble,” he said. “Most of our seniors don’t know. We have to let them know that your password for anything, in the digital space, will be very long. Mix it (up) with capital letters and small letters … so that whoever is cracking it, they will find it very hard to crack.”

@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca

Former Mountie charged with first degree murder found guilty of manslaughter

Jason Kerr
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Former Mountie charged with first degree murder found guilty of manslaughter

A former Prince Albert RCMP officer who pleaded not guilty to first degree murder in the shooting of Braden Herman has been found guilty of manslaughter.

More than 70 people, not including court officials and security, gathered at the Court of King’s Bench on Thursday to hear the verdict in the case against former Mountie Bernie Herman, no relation.

Braden’s friends and family arrived wearing large buttons with his picture on them. There were audible gasps from the gallery when Judge Gary Meschishnick read his decision.

“We feel that it’s very unfair,” said Rochele Herman, one of Braden’s friends who attended the hearing with a button on her shirt.” We did kind of expect the outcome. I don’t know what else to say about it, but it is what we expected.”

“We were expecting it, but we were kind of hoping it would be something more,” added June Hansen, another one of Braden’s friends who attended the hearing.

Bernie Herman sat quietly in court while Meschishnick read the verdict. The judge said he did not believe Bernie’s testimony about having no intention to kill Braden. Meschishnick also said he did not believe Bernie acted in self-defence.

However, Meschishnick said the Crown failed to prove Bernie was not provoked before killing Braden.

Both Hansen and Rochele Herman said they believe Bernie should have been found guilty of first degree murder, based on his testimony in court. They said Braden could not tell his side of the story during the trial, so they wore buttons as a way to give him a voice.

The court did not decide on a sentencing date. Crown prosecutor Jennifer Schmidt and defence attorney Darren Kraushaar will hold a hearing via conference call with Meschishnick on Feb. 2 to finalize one. Bernie Herman was instructed to appear at that hearing via phone.

Initially, the two parties suggested an April date, however Meshishnick said that was too long to wait for sentencing.

Braden’s body was found in an isolated part of Little Red River Park on May 11, 2021. Bernie, a 32-year veteran of the RCMP, was arrested later that day.

During the trial, the Crown entered text and social media messages into evidence showing Braden and Bernie were involved in a sexual relationship. That relationship strained Bernie’s relationship with his wife and daughter, who both testified during the trial.

Both witnesses testified that the relationship was positive at the start, but deteriorated as Braden continued living with the family.

Braden and Bernie met on social media, and Bernie eventually invited Braden to live in his home. The two men began a sexual relationship one month later.

Braden continued to live with Bernie and Janice until 2019 when Janice kicked him out of the house. Braden and Bernie continued their relationship after Braden was kicked out.

Text and social media messages entered into evidence showed tension and anger between Janice and Bernie, with Janice accusing her husband of abandoning her for Braden.

“I was along for months while you had the time of your life,” reads one of Janice’s messages to Bernie.

“Am I supposed to be okay with you talking to him?” read another.

In response to one of her complaints, Bernie wrote “like he tells the truth.”

Bernie took the stand in his own defence during the trial, and told the court he did not plan to kill Braden that day and did not recall running over Braden’s body before leaving the scene.

During closing arguments, the defence argued the shooting was haphazard, panicked, and “extremely unplanned.” The defence also argued Bernie was in a “highly emotional situation” and fired his gun in a state of panic, not cold calculation.

The Crown argued Bernie was not a credible witness because he was lying to his wife about his relationship with Braden, and had gaps in his memory that were “selective and at times quite convenient”. The Crown also argued that Bernie could have distanced himself from Braden the night of the shooting, but chose not to.

Council votes to send conflict of interest dispute to Court of King’s Bench

Jason Kerr
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Council votes to send conflict of interest dispute to Court of King’s Bench

Two councillors at the centre of a conflict of interest dispute should have their hand slapped, but should not be kicked off council.

That was the general sentiment at Monday’s city council meeting where council voted 5-1 in favour of having a Court of King’s Bench judge rule on whether Couns. Tony Head and Terra Lennox-Zepp violated Conflict of Interest rules during debates, discussions, and votes on the City’s collective bargaining agreement with CUPE 882.

“I don’t necessarily want to see them removed from the chair, but I want a line drawn,” said Blake Edwards, the most vocal councillor during Monday’s debate. “It’s very uncomfortable when you have members of the public come to you … saying, ‘how can two councillors who have some connection to CUPE—and there’s the understanding or perception of conflict of interest—how can they participate in these discussions, in particular for collective bargaining, and other information that we may deal with? It puts us in a difficult situation.”

Edwards, along with Couns. Don Cody, Darren Solomon, and Charlene Miller all said the situation was a difficult one. Both Cody and Solomon said they didn’t want Head or Lennox-Zepp removed from council, but also said doing nothing would be inappropriate.

Despite those concerns, Cody voted against the motion from Mayor Greg Dionne that will send the matter to the Court of King’s Bench. Cody said he was unhappy with language from the Cities Act that was included in the motion.

That wording called on the courts to determine if Lennox-Zepp and Head have ceased to be qualified to remain as members of council. Cody said the wording was “a bit on the harsh side” during Monday’s meeting.


“I don’t think any of us in this assembly or anyone in this administration wants those two members left (out) from this assembly,” Cody said. “I think that’s the last thing that we want…. Do we want to have them get a little slap on the hand for something they may have done inadvertently or by mistake? Yes, we do. Yes, we do, and I think we need to do that, but what I have the biggest rub here is really Section 121(2) of the Cities Act.”

Solomon voted in favour of the motion. He told council many residents have contacted him to discuss the issue, and those discussions show the public expected City Council to make a ruling.

“As a councillor I’m responsible for my actions, as are they,” Solomon said during the meeting. “Did they make a mistake? Possibly, however I’m not a legal expert. When I interpret the Act and look at the consequences, I also agree our options aren’t good.

“Realistically, I do think it has to be referred,” he added.

Miller said it was a difficult situation for council because there were two different legal opinions: the one council received from law firm Brownlee LLP, and another received by Lennox-Zepp.

Miller said she received one letter, a couple of emails, and no calls about the case. However, she said the City should go to the courts because of the conflicting legal opinions.

City solicitor Mitch Holash said the option to disqualify councillors for not excusing themselves due to a conflict of interest is intended to “put teeth” into the standards imposed by The Cities Act. He also told council the judge has a wide-array of options available if the matter does go to court.

The judge can confirm the councillors are disqualified, dismiss the application entirely, or rule that it was an inadvertent or honest mistake.

During questioning, Holash said the City had received a letter from Lennox-Zepp’s legal representative outlining why she was not in conflict of interest. He also said the City Clerk has spoken to both councillors about CUPE collective bargaining. Holash said it was his understanding that Lennox-Zepp had indicated she would remove herself from all CUPE 882 agenda items that come before council, and that Head would remove himself from all CUPE bargaining matters that come before council.

Mayor Greg Dionne read a prepared statement to council outlining why he wanted the matter sent to a judge. Dionne said conflict of interest allegations impacted council’s integrity. He said council has a legal responsibility to make sure the public trusts council to put the City’s business before their own.

“A member of council cannot serve two masters,” Dionne said. “When a conflict exists, they must excuse themselves from the discussion … (and) making and having any potential of influencing the decision or discussion.

“Council has the legal obligation and ethical responsibility to ensure the governance policies and councillors follow the oath of office is upheld. In order to protect the integrity of council in the process, the public confidence in council, we are requesting that the courts review the facts and determine what needs to be our next step in legislation.”

Dionne added that the City was taking this action because of a letter from a resident. The letter was included in Monday’s agenda package. Prior to the debate, council approved a motion allowing Holash to respond in writing.

The Daily Herald attempted to contact both Head and Lennox-Zepp by phone, but were unsuccessful.

Lennox-Zepp’s husband, Craig Thebaud, is listed as a staff advisor for Region 2 of the Prince Albert CUPE area office on the CUPE Healthcare Workers Local 5430 web page. Thebaud has been assigned to work with CUPE 882 in the past. At a December meeting, Lennox-Zepp said was not currently a member of the CUPE team negotiating with the City of Prince Albert.

Head spent nine years as a former CUPE national representative before being elected to council. Prior to that, he worked for the City of Prince Albert in the collections and distribution department.

CUPE 882 represents the City of Prince Albert’s inside workers. That includes employees at the Art Hauser Centre, Alfred Jenkins Field House, and E.A. Rawlinson Centre.

Council voted to ratify the new collective agreement with CUPE 882 on Dec. 11, 2023.

Prince Albert author ends 2023 with 2 new book releases

Jason Kerr
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Prince Albert author ends 2023 with 2 new book releases

Prince Albert author Jessica Lindsey never envisioned creating a novel when she first began telling stories to her twin boys, but that’s where she ended up.

Lindsey released her children’s novel, ‘The Adventures of Flip and Paul: The Treasure of Alman Duzan’ as a paperback and e-book at the end of 2023. The story focuses on two 10-year-old twins testing their survival skills and their faith as they try and unravel the mystery surrounding one of the residents in their town.

“It’s a good feeling,” Lindsey said when asked about getting the book published. “When you’re a writer you spend an awful lot of time behind the scenes. You know that you’re working on something, but because you’re not being paid for the work and no one is there to acknowledge it, it sometimes feels like you’re just throwing feathers up into thin air or something.

“(It’s like) it’s just in your imagination and nobody’s going to notice and it’s not going to have any impact, but then, if you can push past that self-doubt, and then push past the hurdle of launching a book in the first place, and then push past trying to get it into the hands of other people, finally you get to have your moment as a writer when you realize that despite your doubt, books do have meaning.

The two main characters in the novel are based on Lindsey’s own twin boys, who recently graduated from St. Mary High School. The setting is based on her own adventures in her hometown of Leader, where she would wander the streets, look at houses, and create stories about fictional people who lived in them.

When she visited Leader with her two boys, Lindsey started telling them stories about fictional town residents. She was pleasantly surprised when tales about hermit Alman Duzan piqued their interest.

“It is based on my own curiosity as a young kid in a small town, wondering about these weird people, and because my sons knew the town and stuff, it was familiar to them,” Lindsey said. “I made this story up and told it to them and then later on, I just needed a writing project, and this came together so quickly and easily. I edited it only once. Usually I edit books over and over and over.”

“It was just a fun project relating to the funny and interesting dynamic of raising twins,” she added. “People find that in itself interesting. Then the story the boys found interesting, so I thought maybe the other kids would (too).”

Writing a book young readers would find entertaining wasn’t her only goal. As a mother herself, Lindsey wanted to write something other parents would be comfortable giving their kids. As a devout Christian, she also wanted a book that would give good moral lessons too.

The novel is one of two books Lindsey recently published. The other, ‘A Way in the Wilderness: 100 Meditations on a Woman’s Spiritual Trial’, is a non-fiction work focusing on the most difficult times in her life.

Before writing novels, Lindsey worked as a journalist telling other peoples’ stories. Now at the age of 41, she decided to tell her own story in hopes it will help other women in a similar position.

“I started out in the first place to be a journalist because I believed that people’s stories change other peoples’ lives, and when you tell your own personal story, that’s when it changes most,” she said. “Telling a third person’s story doesn’t matter to anyone, but when you open up your heart and you make yourself vulnerable to other people, that’s when you earn their trust. That’s when they’re willing to listen. That’s when they’ll hear your story, and make a connection.”

Eleven years ago, Lindsey’s mother died following a drug overdose, something Lindsey says has haunted her. Saskatchewan is on pace for a record number of drug overdoses in 2023 (as of Jan. 5, there were still 193 deaths suspected but unconfirmed drug overdose deaths) and Lindsey said watching the total climb over the past 12 months convinced her to publish something to help people who have lost a friend or family member.

Following her mother’s death, Lindsey suffered a miscarriage. Her marriage was also in turmoil, and she divorced at the age of 32.

‘A Way in the Wilderness’ includes 100 passages taken from Lindsey’s prayer journal, where she wrote down meditations and prayers while on her path to healing.

“My whole life journey has been a healing journey, essentially, and I want my life’s journey to mean something,” she said. “I want my life’s journey to matter. It would be a waste of my life to just only suffer. if I can go through suffering and then healing and then guide other women through the same process, then my suffering has meaning. It has purpose, and so does my life.”

‘A Way in the Wilderness’ is available in print or on Amazon.ca.

Prince Albert honours top athletes and Sportsman of the Year at annual Kinsmen dinner

Jason Kerr
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Prince Albert honours top athletes and Sportsman of the Year at annual Kinsmen dinner

Prince Albert sports fans and supporters gathered to honour Bruce Vance, Taz Smith-Windsor, and Gage Grassick at the Ches Leach Lounge on Saturday at the annual Kinsmen Sportsman’s Dinner.

Vance, the longtime marketing and business manager for the Prince Albert Raiders, has volunteered his time with numerous programs and boards like the Esso Cup hosting committee. In a pre-taped video, Vance said he was humbled to win an award given out to so many hard-working community members.

Ben Grassick and Sara Verge accept the Kinsmen Female Athlete of the Year Award from Wes Moore on behalf of their sister, University of Saskatchewan Huskies basketball player Gage Grassick, who could not be in attendance. — Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

“It’s an incredible honour to be named the PA Kinsmen Club Sportsman of the Year,” Vance said in the video. “Thank you very much. Prince Albert has such a rich sports history, and to be named Sportsman of the Year besides such people as Jim Bristow, Jim Scarrow, Zenon Markowsky, Mark Nagy, and many others, it is a truly humbling moment.”

University of Saskatchewan third-year basketball player Gage Grassick also provided pre-taped remarks, and had her brother and sister on hand to accept the award as Kinsmen Female Athlete of the Year.

The Carlton alumnus was out of the province due to commitments with the Huskies women’s basketball team, but said in a video she was honoured and grateful for the award. She also said she was thankful for friends, family, and community members who helped her on and off the basketball court.

“I’ve been so fortunate to live in Prince Albert where sports are so prevalent due to the generosity of many community members, local businesses, and the City of Prince Albert. It is because of their vision to provide first rate facilities … that allow athletes like myself to dedicate time and love to our sports.”

Fellow Huskies athlete Taz Smith-Windsor was on hand to accept the Kinsmen Male Athlete of the Year trophy. Smith-Windsor, another Carlton alumnus, spent the past season with the University of Saskatchewan football team, but prior to that represented Saskatchewan at the U18 Football Canada Cup where he won Defensive MVP in the gold medal game.

University of Saskatchewan Huskies DB Taz Smith-Windsor accepts the Prince Albert Kinsmen Male Athlete of the Year Award from Wes Moore. — Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Like Grassick, Smith-Windsor credited family and friends for his success, since improving as a football player meant long drives south for only a few hours of practice.

“I am beyond grateful to receive this award,” he said.

“This award is meaningful to me in so many ways. Many great athletes have come out of Prince Albert in recent years, and I am honoured to be among them.”

NHL legend and Stanley Cup Champion Chris Chelios was the guest of honour for Saturday’s dinner. All funds raised from the event will go towards the Grand Slam Rebuild Project organized by the Prince Albert Minor Baseball Association.

Nothing but fond memories of Prince Albert for The Sheepdogs

Jason Kerr
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Nothing but fond memories of Prince Albert for The Sheepdogs

For Saskatchewan rock band The Sheepdogs, Prince Albert will always be a city of firsts.

Prince Albert was a regular destination when the band first formed in Saskatoon in 2004. They played shows at several venues, most notably the old Belly Up Pub and Grill. That was the venue where they first performed their hit song ‘I Don’t Know’, which later won Single of the Year at the 2012 Juno Awards.

“We hadn’t even recorded the song yet,” Sheepdogs bass player Ryan Gullen remembered. “We’d just written it, so that’s a memory for sure.”

Multiple albums, awards, and tours later, the Sheepdogs are back in Prince Albert. This time, they’ll be performing at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre as part of their Back Road Boogey cross-country tour.

The trip started with a show in Parry Sound, Ont. on Friday, followed by dates in Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. The band then heads west for shows in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and B.C. before heading back east.

“People are just like, ‘oh, of course the Sheepdogs are touring western (and) northern Canada in January,’” Gullen said with a laugh. “That’s what we’ve done for many years. We’ve always seemingly ended up in the mountains in January white-knuckling it in a van. It’s going to be fun.”

“We’re very happy to be coming to Prince Albert,” he added. “We have many fond memories of playing there.”

The tour focuses on stops in small and mid-sized cities like Prince Albert, Brandon, Moose Jaw, and Medicine Hat. After spending the last two years touring Europe, Australia, and North America, Gullen said they wanted to focus on playing smaller Canadian cities traditionally overlooked by larger acts.

“I think a lot of times in bigger cities people are sort of spoiled,” Gullen said. “They get all the shows. In Toronto, every day of the week you can pretty well go to a concert where a big international artist is playing. For us, when bands would come to Saskatoon—like when The White Stripes came to Saskatoon—it was so exciting. We never thought that band would come and do it. I think we really love the energy.

“As a musician playing live, you get so much energy back from the crowd (and) that gives you energy in your performance,” he added. “It gives you energy in what you do. (In) the smaller centres, when we come and do these shows, everyone’s just so happy to have you there and you really feel that energy.”

The Sheepdogs continue to pile up the honours. Last year they received another Juno nomination for their latest album, ‘Out of Sight’, which was written during the COVID lockdowns.

Gullen said the band wasn’t sure how to move forward when COVID hit, since touring is such a big part of their act. As restrictions on gathering sizes started to loosen, the band started playing music together in smaller settings like apartments or basements.

“We figured if we can’t go on the road, let’s just get together and work on songs and jam,” Gullen remembered. “It was very reminiscent of the early days of the band in Saskatoon and in Sam’s (drummer Sam Corbett) parent’s basement, basically all getting together, having a few beers, and just writing songs.”

The Sheepdogs were able to play a few drive-in and outdoor shows during the COVID outbreak, including one gig in Regina where they performed on the roof of a building and fans booked rooms in an adjacent hotel to watch from the balconies.

When live indoor music returned, they sold out Lee’s Place, a live concert hall in Toronto with a capacity of 600 for four straight nights.

Even though COVID still dominated the news cycle, Gullen and the band didn’t want life under COVID to be the focus of their album.

“We didn’t want to make music that was sort of reflecting on the pandemic, but rather reflecting on what people want to listen when this is done,” Gulen said. “What are we looking forward to when this is done? A lot of the album is really a conscious effort to be like, ‘let’s make music for when all this ends, hopefully soon, and we can get back to doing what we are doing.”

The Sheepdogs perform at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre on Thursday, Jan. 25. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Sask. NDP leader wants to hear from Prince Albert residents at Tuesday town hall

Jason Kerr
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Sask. NDP leader wants to hear from Prince Albert residents at Tuesday town hall

Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck will be at the Coronet Hotel in Prince Albert on Tuesday for party’s first town hall of 2024.

Beck said the party is gearing up for an election in the fall, and wants to make sure voters feel like their voice is heard.

“We are not entering this year with the goal of second place,” Beck said during a phone interview on Friday. “We are building and moving towards that goal of forming government in 2024. If we are going to do that, we need to win in communities like Prince Albert, and in order to do that, we need to listen to the people of Prince Albert.

“It’s something we have been doing, but this is just another way for us to give people a chance to not only meet myself as the leader and some of our other MLAs, but also meet the candidates.”

Beck said she expects cost of living, mental health, addictions, crime, the economy, and the NDP’s new gas tax petition to be the top issues raised at the meeting. However, she added there is no strict agenda. Residents are invited to raise any issues they are concerned about.

“This is not intended to be a strictly partisan event, nor an event where … we only want to talk about a few issues,” Beck explained. “We want to hear from people. We want to build out those solutions with them.”

Beck said NDP candidates Nicole Rancourt and Carolyn Brost Strom will also be in attendance. The NDP has plans for more outreach events planned in preparation for the next election.

Beck spent much of 2023 touring the province, and said one of her main takeaways is that many voters feel like their voice isn’t being heard. She said the NDP is committed to make sure that changes.

“We are interested in listening,” she said. “We are out there listening to frontline workers, people in communities. We’re very interested in building those solutions, and that’s what we’ll continue to do this year.”

The town hall runs from 7-9 p.m. at the Coronet Hotel ballroom on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Beck urges Ministry of Education to get back to the bargaining table

The STF’s second one-day strike is one of the main topics Beck expects to hear about at Tuesday’s town hall.

Beck served as a Regina Public School Trustee before entering provincial politics, and said it’s frustrating to hear Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill says issues like classroom size are best dealt with by province’s school divisions.

In a press conference on Jan. 17, Cockrill told reporters there were challenges in classrooms across the province, but local schools boards were best equipped to address them. Beck said school divisions are too underfunded to make an impact.

““For the minister to suggest that school boards have the ability to address these issues on their own without support, without funding, without focus from the provincial government, from the ministry, is frankly disingenuous and if he does know better, he doesn’t know his file very well,” she said.

Beck was first elected as a trustee in 2009. She said school division trustees and teachers are still concerned about the same events the Regina Public School Division was talking about during her first term.

“These concerns are well documented,” she said. “They are present in every report and budget response that I’ve seen from not only teachers, but from school boards and from the concerns that parents and students themselves are bringing forward.

“I’m not alone in my frustration at the minister’s comments. This is something that he not only has the ability to address, frankly he has the responsibility to address it. We would like to see him get back to the table and get serious about finding a deal and starting those improvements to the education system because they are long overdue.”

In an email to the Herald on Thursday, the Ministry of Education wrote they had put forward a fair deal for teachers by offering a seven per cent raise over three years.

In a press conference on Jan. 16, Cockrill said negotiating over classroom complexity was a “line in the sand” the government would not cross.

“We think school divisions are best positioned to manage that, and again, we’re going to continue working with school divisions to support them,” Cockrill said.

“The union’s request is basically to take that away from locally elected school boards, which we don’t believe is in the best interest of education from a big picture, and certainly we think it’s important (to have a) local voice in education.”

–with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Sask. artist draws on Ukrainian and Metis heritage for Hicks Gallery exhibit

Jason Kerr
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Sask. artist draws on Ukrainian and Metis heritage for Hicks Gallery exhibit

Melanie Monique Rose noticed plenty of similarities between the designs, patterns, and colours used by her Ukrainian and Metis ancestors, and those similarities formed the basis of an exhibit that’s travelled the province for three years.

‘The Flower People’ contains felted pieces combined with a collection of blankets to explore Ukrainian and Metis culture. The exhibit opened at the Saskatchewan Arts Council Gallery in Saskatoon, but is currently on display at the John V. Hicks Gallery in Prince Albert.

“It’s such a good feeling,” Rose said when asked about having her exhibit travel the province.

“I really like to share my experiences as both a Metis and Ukrainian woman—my lived experiences as well as those of my family and my ancestors.”

Rose describes herself as a visual artist who uses floral imagery to tell stories about people, places, and the land they live on. She designed the exhibit with the goal of getting viewers to ask questions about their own backgrounds, whether they have Metis and Ukrainian ancestors or not.

She said some people in Saskatchewan still struggle with racist attitudes. She’s hopeful the exhibit can help those people see their neighbours in a different light.

“If we’re all honest we can admit we have a lot of work to do here in Saskatchewan with racism, and stereotypes with the way many folks look at and treat Indigenous folks,” she explained. “I just think that it’s through sharing our story—especially with children—that’s how we break down some of those stereotypes and become more anti-racist.”

“Part of our collective healing process is understanding where we came from, and why did we leave,” she added. “If we’re a newcomer or settler, why did we come here to this land that we’re currently calling Canada? I think that makes us understand our Indigenous relatives more, as well as have a more sustainable relationship with the land as far as how we’re treating the plants and animals and having a sustainable future for seven generations ahead.”

Rose’s work places an emphasis on colour, movement, and narrative. She said both Ukrainian and Metis designers make good use of colour to tell stories, and also have strong floral imagery. She’s factor both of those things into her exhibit.

She credits painter Christi Belcourt as her biggest influence. Viewing Belcourt’s work inspired Rose to look to her own traditions for this exhibit.

Her exhibit also has a strong Saskatchewan component. Local flowers like Crocuses, Black-eyed Susans, and Saskatchewan Wild Roses all make an appearance in her designs.

Rose got the title of the exhibit from ‘The Flower Beadwork People’, a name traditionally given to the Metis, who are well known for their floral beadwork. She said it’s not easy to find art from Metis artists in Canadian collections, so she’s hoping this exhibit will help generate more interest in Metis designs and creations.

“Our stories are very underrepresented,” she said. “I just hope that really encourages people to want to learn more.”

‘The Flower People’ runs at the John V. Hicks Gallery in Prince Albert until Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Buzz Brass quintet focuses on inspiration during Prince Albert stop on January tour

Jason Kerr
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Buzz Brass quintet focuses on inspiration during Prince Albert stop on January tour

The Buzz Brass quintet had a more youthful focus when they were last in Prince Albert, but this time they’re returning to classical chamber music.

Buzz Brass previously played in Prince Albert as part of a Canada-wide tour presenting shows in French language schools, and for the French-speaking community. On Thursday, they’re back in Prince Albert performing an evening of chamber music at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre.

Buzz Brass founder and trumpet player Sylvain Lapointe said they’re eager to put on a good show.

“If you want to become a musician, playing in front of people is the goal,” Lapointe said during a phone interview. “Without the audience there is no concert, just rehearsal. It’s like for someone who plays sports. You want the game. You don’t just want to practice, so for us, playing live is our game. Each night is a different game.”

Buzz Brass includes principal trumpet player Frederic Gagnon, horn player Pascal Lafreniere, trombone player Jason De Carufel, and bass trombone player Sylvain Arseneau. The group travels Saskatchewan until the end of January as part of their “Famous Inspirations” tour, where they perform some of chamber music’s most memorable compositions.

The list includes some pieces that have appeared in other popular mediums, like Mickey Mouse or Tom and Jerry cartoons. Lapointe said some listeners don’t even realize they were listening to classical chamber pieces as kids.

“The works themselves have inspired a lot of other musicians, composers, and creators along the way,” he explained. “These kinds of pieces have reached a lot of people without even being labelled as classical music, so we will play a lot of pieces from different composers.”

In addition to those works, Buzz Brass will also perform a few pieces from “Heritage”, their latest album. The album includes three works of four movements each. The group spent roughly one year recording it.

“Those pieces were specifically written for brass, and that’s pretty rare,” he explained. “Most of the composers would or have written strings, piano, violin, or for the voice, or even for woodwind.”

Buzz Brass is also celebrating their 21st anniversary this month. Lapointe said he couldn’t think of any better way to honour the occasion than with a concert.

“We are really happy to still be there and still be playing music,” he said. “I can guarantee (attendees) will have a really great night with us.” Buzz Brass performs at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre on Thursday, Jan. 18. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Leadership symposium aims to let students know they aren’t alone

Jason Kerr
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Leadership symposium aims to let students know they aren’t alone

Leadership skills and mental health were the two main focuses as high school and university students packed the E.A. Rawlinson Centre on Wednesday for the eighth annual Post-Secondary Leadership Symposium for Prince Albert and the North.

Event co-chair Melissa Smith said it was a bit overwhelming to see so many students attend, but they weren’t complaining.

“We had a lot more people than last year come, and it’s also a lot more exciting too, knowing that students are more interested this year than last year,” said Smith, a third year nursing student at the University of Saskatchewan’s Prince Albert campus. “That means last year we did something right. I’m just excited that they want to listen to our speakers and that they’re excited to see what we’ve planned for them.”

“It’s amazing to see so many students,” added Amber Thomas, another USask nursing student and member of the symposium volunteer planning committee. “It’s really nice watching all these future leaders walk in the door.”

Lt.Gov. Russ Mirasty and Mayor Greg Dionne welcomed students with some opening remarks before attendees listened to presentations by SHA Acute Mental Health Manager Adam Pearson, and Trauma Specialist and First Nations Child Advocate Deanna Ledoux.

Smith said organizers wanted to students an opportunity to meet others and share their experiences about leadership and mental health. The goal is to help students realize help is available if they need it.

“You never know you you’re going to meet here, who might have gone through the same problem as you,” Smith said. “I just want people to come out knowing that you’re not alone and that you’re more than capable.”

Roughly 500 students attended the last Leadership Symposium in 2023. Organizers didn’t have a final head count by press time, but said they exceeded that number in 2024.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic students Dylan Friesen and Barsh Badel were among those in attendance. Badel said they were grateful for the chance to hear from leaders like Mirasty.

“His story was good. It was inspiring,” he said. “It ignites the political aspect of me. Being into politics, getting to hear the stories of these politicians just inspires me.”

Badel said he hopes to use the experience to run for student body president at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Friesen hopes to get into the business side of sports and someday run his own hockey team.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet people,” Friesen said of the conference. “I like hearing stories and I can learn from other peoples’ past opportunities as well.”

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