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Ecole St. Mary High School Open House teaches families about education options

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Ecole St. Mary High School Open House teaches families about education options

Ecole St. Mary High School hosted their annual Open House on Wednesday and Thursday evening.

The Open House offered a chance to get school tours from administration and to hear from Principal Dwayne Gareau while learning what the school has to offer. After his speech, Gareau and Vice Principals Jason Bourdon and Lydia McLeod conducted tours.

Gareau said that the Open House received great response on both nights.

“(We had) a very good turnout yesterday,” Gareau said on Thursday. “This is day two tonight and looks like it’s going to be another great turnout.”

Gareau said the tour gave staff members a chance to explain how the school is evolving.

“We always like to continue to evolve with what the needs are of our students as well as what we’re hearing from the teachers and stuff,” he explained.

“(It’s) just a few more options in terms of a little bit of ownership in their Grade 9 years, so it’s exciting times.”

He said that in Practical and Applied Arts (PAA) students will have more of an opportunity to select their classes.

“Next year with our Grade 9s, we’re giving them a little bit more opportunity to choose their PAA classes. Middle years curriculums in Grade 9 are very similar across the province, but there is some flexibility for choices in some areas and so we do have some opportunity for them to choose some of their PAA options,” Gareau said.

This will include options in a number of categories for students in PAA,

“Whether that be the construction and carpentry, some photography stuff, some food studies, some 3D digital stuff, and some sewing and beading, they’re going to get an opportunity to kind of create their own package of the PAA this next school year,” Gareau said.

He explained that it is about choice and also the ability to find what students are passionate about.

“(It’s) a little bit more choice and a little bit more time within their choices so that they get a little bit more time in things that maybe they’re passionate about or think they’re passionate about,” he said.

Gareau explained that when students take something out of interest it is easy for them to find a new passion.

He added that the school introduced some high performance physical education programs and those are well received The physical education option is called Marauder Enhanced Training (MET) and Gareau said the response to the new athletic options has been quite positive.

“It’s been very beneficial,” Gareau said. “I know the students have been very receptive. The families have appreciated it. The numbers continue to be strong, continue to offer it at no charge to our families as well, which is a very nice perk.”

The hockey high performance program lead by teacher Tyson Dallman was added a few years ago and has been received positively.

“I know adding that hockey program has been very beneficial for those that play hockey. It’s been doing extremely well,” he explained.

Along with the tours on Wednesday and Thursday they have also done some small group tours and Gareau said all of the tour options have been positively received.

“There’s been some tours already with families just wanting some small group tours. All of our Grade 8s from our school division have been in to see the building, so it’s a fun time of year because there’s lots of energy,” Gareau said.

He said the excitement and energy comes from moving schools being on students’ horizons.

“They’re in that transition stage of moving schools and being excited at what that is,” he said. “Obviously, there’s some anxiousness as well and that’s why we do these tours, to just lower that level of potential anxiousness and make it more excitement than nerves.”

He said that people can still contact the school for tours if they couldn’t attend this week. He said that staff understand that the days of the Open House might not be the best for students and families.

“Sometimes they might even come on an open house and then they’re like, oh, you know what, I just want to come one more time or ask a few more questions and stuff, so we welcome those opportunities,” Gareau said.

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

Catholic Division begins tax designation awareness campaign

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Catholic Division begins tax designation awareness campaign

The Prince Albert Catholic School Division recently began a Property Tax Designation awareness campaign.

During the board of education’s regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 23, director of education Lorel Trumier asked board members for ideas to let Catholic constituents know they can designate their taxes to the Catholic School Division.

“We always have this moment in time where we review what that means to our stakeholders and are there opportunities to improve communication,” Trumier explained.

“I think coming out of last night’s (Feb, 23) meeting, we’ll endeavour to make sure that there are direct links for people to be informed about property tax designation and how they must declare, if they’re Catholic, to contribute their taxes to the Catholic school boards across the province here and in particular ours.”

Trumier said that every year the division and board revisit the campaign and how it is shared to help ensure that Catholic constituents are aware of the process. They currently use methods such as notices in church bulletins and the division’s ‘Did You Know’ publications, notices on Edsby and school registration forms, having school administration remind parents at registration time, and notices on the division website.

City of Prince Albert forms to designate taxes are also available from secretaries at Prince Albert Catholic schools.

Trumier said the division is always looking for what would be the most effective way to share this information.

“We just want to make sure that we’re communicating to our stakeholders the best we can,” Trumier said.

Catholic board votes to re-submit for PBCN ISSI

The Prince Albert Catholic School Division and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) has approved extending a partnership to connect student learning to Indigenous heritage and culture.

During the board of education’s regular meeting on Feb, 23, Superintendent Charity Dmytruk updated the board on the project. The board then made a motion to approve the application for continuation.

“We’re fortunate that we have great partners and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has indicated interest in renewing a partnership,” director of education Lorel Trumier said. “This invitational shared service initiative will continue if we are successful.”

During the meeting the board approved the application for continuation of the ISSI.

“We have approval from the board to continue to proceed, so we’ll make application here and we’ll see where if we’re successful or not,” Trumier said.

“I think there’s some good work that occurs as we try to always bridge our relationship (with PBCN.”

The Prince Albert Catholic School Division and PBCN began the partnership in 2023-24. That project continued into the 2024-2025 school year, and will return again in the fall, provided the two groups can receive the appropriate grant funding.

The two groups submitted a proposal to the province as part of the Invitational Shared Services Initiative (ISSI) in June 2024 and received approval later that month. The ISSI

develops partnerships between First Nation education authorities and provincial school systems.

The PA Catholic board gave final approval at their regular meeting on Feb. 23 to apply for an additional grant of up to $90,000.

The provincial government has earmarked $92,300 to support the partnership between 2024 and 2028. The funds will go towards land-based learning consultations, elders and knowledge keeper honorariums, and Indigenous education consultants.

The division is partnering with PBCN for the application because 70 per cent of Prince Albert Catholic students who live on reserve while attending Catholic schools are PBCN members.

The ISSI proposal was initially submitted on April 14, 2023 and the division was notified in late May that the maximum application limit was reduced from $100,000 to $80,000. They resubmitted the application on June 2 to reflect the updated ministry financial criteria and received approval on June 11, 2023.

Second phase at St. John Community School submitted for future minor capital renewal project

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Second phase at St. John Community School submitted for future minor capital renewal project

The Prince Albert Catholic School Division has re-submitted plans to upgrade Ecole St. Mary High School and the second part of an upgrade to St. John Community School.

Both projects will be submitted to the province’s Minor Capital Renewal Program for 2027-28 applications. The Catholic School Division board approved the submission at their regular meeting on Feb. 23.

“We were very successful with our first phase in the St. John minor capital, but of course, we could have used some extra dollars to still resolve some other issues,” Education Director Lorel Trumier said. “Roofing issues are the highest cost that we see forthcoming and we had submitted this after several conversations with the ministry.

“We’re hoping that they will approve the second phase of this to complete the project.”

The second phase of the St. John Community School project will help alleviate challenges with water including drainages issues in the school grounds and parking lot, roof leaks and moisture getting into walls.

According to the memo, the Preventative Maintenance and Renewal (PMR) funds are insufficient to address these issues. The Catholic Division has commissioned a report by AODBT Architecture to support the application.

“We’re extremely grateful for these opportunities because it does support extending the life of our schools,” Trumier said.

The Minor Capital Renewal for St. Mary project will allow the school to address safety risks and allow programming to continue uninterrupted. It includes items like replacement of air handling units and heating system components and replacement of windows and doors to address energy efficiency.

The project is planned to start in 2027-2028 and end in 2028-2029.

Administration recently received a letter from the Ministry of Education notifying them that the applications for the 2027-2028 Minor Capital Renewal Program were open until Feb.13.

The Minor Capital Renewal Program is for projects between $1 million and $10 million and can be completed in one to two years. Each school division in the province can submit up to two projects.

“We know that we take good care of our schools and that our schools look good and are functional, but there’s always places that require maintenance and renewal and these are the perfect opportunities to submit that,” Trumier said.

The last project approved in the division involved St. John Community School. The division received notice in early June 2023 that the Ministry of Education had approved proceeding with the renovations.

The project included renovations to improve the bathrooms, kitchen and library. Other interior upgrades include the replacement of boilers, roof top units, windows, lighting, doors, flooring, wheelchair lift, furniture, equipment, relocatable classroom roofing and surveillance were also included in the project.

Carlton preparing for second Grade 9 Showcase

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Carlton preparing for second Grade 9 Showcase

There will be a chance for students to have a look inside Carlton Comprehensive High School when the school hosts their second Grade 9 Showcase on March 11.

The event runs from 6-8 p.m. It was formerly known as the Carlton Open House before the name was changed to Grade 9 Showcase last year.

Rylan Michalchuk, a Vice Principal at Carlton, said the event will open with a 15-20 minute presentation from the admin team. Then, families are welcome to explore the school on their own, or take a guided tour.

“We’ll have staff members available to help with registration questions for the fall,” Michalchuk said. “All of our teaching staff will be in the building. Each department area will have information about what Grade 9 looks like, but they’ll also showcase the different class options in Grade 10, 11 and 12 in those areas.”

Prospective students can also get a look at the clubs and extracurricular activities the school has to offer.

“Lots of our clubs will have information set up—for example, our musical theatre group (who are working on a new production). They’re going to be advertising the production. We’ll have our basketball team practicing,” Michalchuk said.

“Then we’ll have a second presentation for families at 7 o’clock for those that can’t come right at 6. We’ll just kind of go through an overview again of what our school community looks like.”

After the second presentation, families are welcome to continue touring or take advantage of the guided tours.

Michalchuk encouraged people to set up private tours as a secondary option if March 4 is a day that does not work for them and to reach out to the school for more information.

Michalchuk said the Grade 9 Showcase is great for the school because it is an opportunity to showcase the facility.

“Because we’re a comprehensive high school, we have a wide range of classes that we can offer and the different types of classrooms in our school,” he said. “If you get an opportunity to come in and walk through them, you can see firsthand, just what’s available to students in our in our school.”

Michalchuk gave the example of the shops in the school, which cover six different trades.

“Students that are interested in that trade pathway, you know, it’s pretty cool for them to see what we can offer,” Michalchuk said.

He also pointed to the various gyms and fitness facilities as top of the line.

“All of our gyms and fitness facilities are, probably the best in the province,” he said.

It is also an opportunity to interact with staff before the transition to Grade 9.

“Just getting to meet lots of our staff before the school year starts, I think helps with Grade 8 families, transitioning into a new building next year,” Michalchuk said.

There are many choices for high school education in Prince Albert and Michalchuk said showcase events like this help families to find their best option.

“We encourage families to come and see what we have to offer and then make the decision that’s best for you,” Michalchuk said.

“In Sask Rivers, there’s four really good high school options that we feel fit the needs of all of our families in our community. Just getting that opportunity to showcase, that just opening our doors so families can come in and check it out is, helps guide those decisions,” he added.

The Carlton Grade 9 Showcase is on March 11 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

Former Prince Albert Mayor Borrowman-Clark celebrates 90th birthday

Michael Oleksyn
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Former Prince Albert Mayor Borrowman-Clark celebrates 90th birthday

A former three-term City Councillor for Ward 2 and short-term Mayor of Prince Albert celebrated a milestone birthday on Saturday.

Iris Borrowman-Clark (born Iris Light) celebrated her 90th Birthday with a come-and go celebration at Cornerstone Free Methodist Church.

Borrowman-Clark said having the come-and-go celebration at a church was important, since it’s been such a big part of her life.

“I think my faith in God. That’s my ground,” Borrowman-Clark said when asked what she attributed to her long life.

Borrowman-Clark has lived in Prince Albert for 70 years. She was born in the village of Glenavon east of Regina, but moved with her family to the Meadow Lake area when she was one.

“I grew up there, took all my schooling in Champion School, and then went into Meadow Lake and went to Carpenter High School from there up to Grade 11. I married out of Grade 11 and became a stepmother to four sons and then my education started,” Borrowman-Clark said.

She explained that she ended up in Prince Albert because that’s where her first husband was from.

“We moved back here after we were married,” she explained. “Actually we had our second son by the time we moved back here.”

Borrowman-Clark has five biological children, seven step-children and has had around 50 foster children.

She explained that she became a foster parent because there was a need for them in the 1960s and she saw that need and wanted to help. There were a few of her foster children in attendance.

“There was a need at that time, and so we applied and were accepted,” Borrowman-Clark said.

“Some of them were babies that were adopted. I think there was three out of the ones I had that were adopted as babies, and then one was three years old when she came. She stayed until she was married and left home. Other ones stayed who were there until such time as they left home as well,” Borrowman-Clark said.

Besides her work as a foster parent, Borrowman-Clark was heavily involved in the political arena.

She was a three-term Prince Albert city councillor, and served as mayor for 10 months after Mayor Gordon Kirkby resigned in Dec. 1993. She served in that role until the next election.

Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

(L to R) Iris Borrowman-Clark and Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky. Powalinsky presented Borrowman-Clark with tokens of appreciation at her come-and-go celebration of her 90th birthday on Saturday at Cornerstone Free Methodist Church on Saturday.
Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Iris Borrowman-Clark cuts her birthday cake at her come-and-go celebration of her 90th birthday on Saturday at Cornerstone Free Methodist Church on Saturday.

She officially ran for mayor in the October 1994 election after serving her interim term, but lost to Don Cody.

Borrowman-Clark originally decided to run in civic politics at the suggestion of a co-worker.

“I thought it was the most ridiculous thought that ever crossed (my mind),” she said. “I didn’t even realize it was in the election year. I had no interest in politics whatsoever. But it was the first year of the ward system snd I lived in Nordale at that time, and I worked at the community clinic, so I ran in Ward 2.

She lost the seat to Don Wickens in the initial count in November 1985.

“I didn’t get my term or my seat on council for six months. I asked for a recount. Yes, the recount because of the counting controversy in Nordale. It ended up I won by way more than

I’d initially lost by. But they had taken my opponent’s results and we reversed them,” Borrowman-Clark said.

The law was changed after her recount controversy that allowed her to take her seat.

As with everything in her life, Borrowman-Clark said her faith guided her to choose to run for City Council.

“I had no interest in it at all, but it was again through prayer and through revelation that came to me that I was supposed to run, which I didn’t want to do, but I did,” she said.

Borrowman-Clark found her time in civic politics to be very educational.

“It was an interesting and very, very educational. I just enjoyed my time on council. I served on several or many boards and committees and I learned so many things that I never have had any idea about before that,” she said.

Borrowman-Clark was appointed Mayor after former Mayor Gordon Kirkby was elected as a Liberal in the 1993 Election in October, 1993.

“There would have been an election that fall. So rather than call a by-election for 10 months, I was just appointed through council,” Borrowman-Clark said.

She explained that she ran for Mayor, but regretted that decision.

“I ran for mayor, which I shouldn’t have done,” she said.

Former Mayor Greg Dionne was in attendance as the two have become friends. Former Ward 1 Coun. Charlene Miller also came to wish Borrowman the best on her 90th birthday. She served as Alderman and City Councillor (the title was changed in Jan. 1992 from June, 1986 until Dec. 31, 1993 and as Mayor of Prince Albert from Jan. 1, 1994 until Oct. 31, 1994.

There was a room full of people in the church to wish her a happy birthday which made Borrowman-Clark happy.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “Amazing. There were several who texted me that they weren’t able to come, and my niece and nephew are here from Hudson Bay and my one foster daughter from Edmonton.”

After she cut her cake Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky presented her with recognition from the City of Prince Albert and a portrait from her time on City Council.

“I don’t like surprises, so they did let me in on a few things,” she said. “I knew he was coming, but yes, I certainly didn’t expect that. But that is a great tribute to be included in the present council.”

In his tribute Powalinsky mentioned that Borrowman-Clark was an advocate for upkeep of facilities and that mantra lives on in the current City Council.

On the table at her party was a book her son made of several of the events and happenings that she was involved with as councillor and Mayor.

“Some of them I remember, so much I forgot,” she said. “A lot of water has gone under the bridge in that length of time.”

She said that her best memories of her 90 years was all of the people she had met and situations she had been in.

She also said she loves and appreciates her family.

She has also been involved in a number of businesses in her life.

“My first husband was into motorcycles and bicycle repair. Then we had fire extinguishers. We started Midwest Security and Investigation. It was the first security company other than the Commissionaires in the city. We got out of it just at the time drugs were coming in,” she explained.

“I said, with alcohol, you can sort of watch and predict the moods or the behaviours, but with drugs, it’s too erratic, so I was glad we got out when we did. I think that was the last company. That’s when my husband passed away.”

She continued to work at the community clinic for 20 years until she retired in 1994.

“I had remarried by that time and we bought a little farm. My husband (Ken Clark), he drove a logging truck. I travelled with him some and then we bought a small acreage out of town and developed that until he passed away,” she said.

In 2012, Borrowman-Clark and Ken Clark were named King and Queen of the Prince Albert Winter Festival.

She said that there are two things that are most important to her.

“I think when I think of myself, it’s been family and church,” she said. “My church family has been a very, very integral part of my family.”

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.c

Catholic playground projects find vendors for SPRA Grant projects

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Catholic playground projects find vendors for SPRA Grant projects

All elementary schools in the Prince Albert Roman Catholic School Division will receive a $50,000 grant from the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.

The funds will be used to upgrade playground equipment at St. Catherine Community School, St. John Community School, St. Francis School and St. Michael Community School.

Director of education Lorel Trumier updated the board on the projects during their regular meeting on Feb. 23.

“When you look at it, we have a matching grant of $50,000 for six of our schools. That’s over $300,000 of grants, so we’re extremely grateful that we were successful in all of our elementary schools,” Trumier said.

The projects at Ecole Holy Cross and Ecole St. Anne have already been completed and the funds will be used to offset money invested by the School Community Council (SCC).

Trumier said construction on the other four projects will continue this summer.

“We had a very competitive process and response from the RFP with approximately seven vendors putting information in and projects to consider,” Trumier said.

The playground supplier for St. John Community Scholl is 1Stop Playgrounds. The supplier for St. Michael Community School, St. Francis School and St. Catherine is Blue MP/Madera who completed the previous two projects.

In November, the division announced that the already completed project at Ecole St. Anne School also received $50,000 in funding from the program. Eligible project expenses incurred on or after April 1 were eligible to apply to receive the matching funding.

On Sept. 9, 2025, the Province of Saskatchewan announced at $3.75 million dollar annual investment to enrich outdoor play spaces. Parks, Culture and Sport Minster Alana Ross said at the time that the grant will be administered in partnership with Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA).

Trumier said each school has a different story in terms of the use of the matching grant,

The schools have all been notified by the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.

Trumier was pleased to see the SCC’s financial burden lessened after receiving the grant so they can put the money towards other projects.

Trumier said that Phase 2 is also in the works for one of the completed projects at Ecole Holy Cross.

“The SCC and the school are endeavouring to do another project this summer. They will not be eligible for this particular grant, but we just added another project for an RFP,” Trumier explained.

Catholic Board updates Early Years Mapping Project

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Catholic Board updates Early Years Mapping Project

The Prince Albert Catholic School Division updated their map of early learning educational opportunities that was initially created in 2021 and brought back for the 2024-2025 school year.

Superintendent Charity Dmytruk provided the update at their meeting on Feb. 23.

As part of the 2024-25 update, the division completed a family mapping process where they gathered input from families of young children to better understand their experience accessing early learning services, navigating support, and transitioning into school. “I really want to credit our superintendent, Charity Dmytruk, for her work, and of course, our partners in this community mapping project,” director of education Lorel Trumier said.

“It really does help to understand the pathways that young children from zero to six have prior to starting school. and ensuring that there’s resources for them.”

Prince Albert was one of six communities selected by the Ministry of Education to complete an Early Years Mapping Project during the 2020-21 school year. The Prince Albert Catholic School Division was the lead for the project in the community.

During the meeting on Feb. 23, Dmytruk discussed the services that are available and how they are linked.

Trumier said documenting those services was a mjor task that involved following through with many of their partners.

The purpose of the community map is to construct an inventory of local early years services programming and groups by creating a visual map of local services. The map can be used to identify areas of strength and innovation, along with weaknesses and area for future action.

“We’re also looking at linkages that occur from one support service to another and how we can strengthen them,” Trumier said.

The Catholic Division Early Years Map is an update to the 2021 map.

According to the memo, Student Transitions is one of four priorities in the Provincial Education Plan. Milestone two in the plan focuses on the transitions in the early years. One of the actions in Milestone two is that each School Division and First Nations Educational Authority complete an Early Years Mapping for their community.

The project was completed and submitted to the Ministry of Education in the fall of 2025.

Trumier said that Prince Albert has many services available.

“When you live in Prince Albert, we’re served very well with so many different partner agencies to meet the needs of children, so I think that’s a very good success story for Prince Albert,” she said.

editorial@paherald.sk.ca

Coldest Night of the Year raises more than $95,000 for the vulnerable in Prince Albert

Michael Oleksyn
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Coldest Night of the Year raises more than $95,000 for the vulnerable in Prince Albert

The YWCA Prince Albert Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser on Saturday smashed last year’s record at Plaza 88.

The annual event raised more than $95,000, exceeding the $87,000 raised last year, to help those out in the cold with no homes, no food, and no basic necessities. Their goal was $75,000.

David Hambleton, Fund Development Officer of YWCA said they had already exceeded their goal before the event began.

“I’ve been checking up on that scoreboard pretty religiously,” Hambleton said. “Refresh, refresh, refresh here. As of early this afternoon, our goal is $75,000. We were … just over $70,000 but Malcolm Jenkins, as he always does, swoops in and pushes us over the top. He matched $25,000, so we are currently sitting at about $95,000.”

A total of 18 teams, 86 walkers and 19 volunteers took part in this year’s event. Participants could walk 2 km or 5 km and helped raise over $95,000 for the YWCA.

Hambleton said that there were more participants than listed on the website.

“I think we had about 20 teams this year—20 teams and about 100 people registered,” he explained. “I think on the page it shows a little under 100, but we’ve got some people that are just going to be registering as they come today.”

Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

(L to R) Adam Ruszkowski and Donna Brooks; before the Coldest Night of the Year began lead sponsor Ruszkowski Enterprises presented the YWCA a cheque for $7,500 at Plaza 88 on Saturday.

With the $75,000 goal in the rear-view mirror, Hambleton said they had set a new target–$100,000—which they hoped to exceed in the final push.

“That would just be a dream come true, but I mean, $95,000 is a huge amount and all of it goes towards YWCA programs, essential services, and the new 20-unit affordable housing complex that’s currently under construction,” he said.

The Coldest Night of the Year is the largest fundraiser on the YWCA Prince Albert calendar. Hambleton said the walk in the cold helps to connect supporters to the work the YWCA does in Prince Albert.

“The theme for Coldest Night of the Year is to provide help and support for those that are homeless, hungry, and hurting, which pretty much describes clients in all of the YWCA programs and that receive YWCA services are homeless, hungry, or facing housing insecurity,” he explained.

Hambleton said the best part of the fundraiser was that there are no strings attached. That means the funds can go directly to programs, unlike regular government funding. He said it can fill gaps in the programming that is provided by the YWCA.

“It provides us with unrestricted funds that we can just put straight into client services. As we are funded as a non-profit, we don’t always have money other than to have the lights on and a

couple staff, but Coldest Night of the Year gives us the ability to address client needs immediately and in the moment when it is most crucial,” Hambleton said.

“For us as a non-profit, there’s really no such thing unless we go out and earn some, which is what Coldest Night of the Year does for us, it gives us that bit of leeway to meet where we don’t have the funding or where there’s an emergency for a client and we need to have some funds to address that emergency right in the moment.

One of the teams entered this year was the YWCA Youth Homes team. Kirk Graupe is a youth outreach worker and he said that the team, which raised $2,727 had exceeded their own fundraising expectations.

“I think we did a lot better than last year, so I think that means quite a bit,” Graupe said. “Our whole goal this year was to try and do better than we did last year and we definitely doubled it.”

They did a number of fundraising events including a Steak Night fundraiser at Bugsy’s in early February. Graupe said that was their best fundraiser.

He emphazised that the unrestricted funds raised will benefit the youth they serve.

“All the money that we are raising is in part to go back to our youth to help them with getting more fundraising activities, getting more programming, getting more supports for them,” Graupe said.

Hambleton said the funds give the YWCA flexibility, and that’s important.

“YWCA has a dozen programs in like eight different locations, so the Coldest of the Year gives each of those departments a chance to fundraise and have funds that they can specifically use in their department where they know their clients, (and) they know the needs of their clients,” he said. “They can use those funds to support the clients in the best way possible.”

The sixth year of the family-friendly walk-a-thon opened up with a presentation at Plaza 88 at 5 p.m., where all the walkers gathered to see Adam Ruszkowski present a $7,500 donation on behalf of the lead sponsor.

Before the event began there was a prayer by Elder Liz Settee and speeches by Ruszkowski YWCA CEO Donna Brooks and NDP MLA Erica Ritchie.

“A huge thank you to the business community for their support, and also to everybody who comes out and walks and fundraises and takes part in this. We couldn’t do it without them,” Hambleton said.

Similar Coldest Night of the Year walks also took place Saturday across the province.

Royal Purple kicks off BrainLove Month in Prince Albert

Michael Oleksyn
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Royal Purple kicks off BrainLove Month in Prince Albert

The month seems to grow in significance every year as the Saskatchewan Royal Purple in Prince Albert kicked off the nationwide BrainLove Month on Saturday.

Representatives from clubs across Saskatchewan met at the Days Inn to present their donations the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association (SBIA), and finalize plans to promote brain health, brain research, and brain injury awareness over the next 31 days.

Royal Purple National Director and Chair of the Saskatchewan Royal Purple’s Charity Partnership Committee (SRPA) Sandi Lougheed said it was important to raise awareness about brain injuries.

“Many of the other months recognize the brain, recognize the injured, recognize the survivors, and they’re important, but so is awareness and prevention, and that’s what Brain Love Month concentrates on,” Lougheed said.

“Royal Purple is the only service club in Canada that has as its cause brain injury awareness and prevention. There’s not another one. I mean, there are others who will look at the survivors, but we’re the only one that sole cause is brain injury awareness and prevention,” she added.

Lougheed said Prince Albert is the host each year because of the central location.

“It’s basically close to the middle of the province,” she explained. “People don’t recognize that. But also, Prince Albert has always provided us with the aspect of caring about brain injuries, (and) about those who are brain injured. Wonderful things are happening in Prince Albert.”

The BrainLove campaign kicks off annually in March in conjunction with International Brain Awareness Month and Brain Health Month in Canada.

BrainLove is important but for Purple Thursday, the third Thursday in October, when organizations across the country gather supplies for Care Bags which they give to shelters in their communities. Lougheed said the two are connected because the number of brain injuries occurring from interpersonal violence in Saskatchewan is among the worst in Canada.

“Our population (of) men, women, and children suffering brain injuries (and) from interpersonal violence is, huge, and the thing is, those are the brain injuries that are most preventable because they’re a choice that humans are making,” Lougheed said. “Human to human, we can stop that.”

She said that it will take an education push, and that is why the poster contest each year is important.

“Programming in the schools matters,” she said. “The women, children and men who are in that circle of violence need to reach out for help so that the circle can stop.

“Otherwise, it continues and often the result is somebody is going to get hurt very badly or somebody is actually going to lose their life.”

The Royal Purple is one of four major SBIA sponsors. Over the past 11 years, Saskatchewan Royal Purple has donated $250,000 to a number of charities and groups across the province, all sharing the common goal of brain injury prevention.

This year, donations to Saskatchewan’s shelters will total well over $5,000, as over 1,000 care bags will be distributed. This was made possible in part by annual funding support from the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA).

In addition, SRPA will recognize the 40th anniversary of the Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society (LABIS) with a pledge of over $5,000 and a partnership with their Charity Golf Tournament. On Saturday, Royal Purple communities from around the province presented an additional $10,000 by way of cheques.

Lougheed said that the province does not do a great job of letting people know about brain injury associations, so they have to be pro-active.

“We did some research a couple of years ago and realized, holy mackerel, we have two brain injury associations, and in terms of serving in the north, in a population area that requires a lot of assistance, Lloydminster is going to supply that,” she explained. “That’s why we decided to reach out and provide them help.

“Not that we’re not helping the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association that help goes on and we’ve just added them to our list of support.”

Paul Tremblay, Treasurer for the Lloydminster Area Brain Injury Society, said that the support means a lot to the community, organization and people who use the organization.

“We’ve just recently, a year ago, moved into a nice new building, and we’re building up new games and things for people to play, right, to stimulate the brain and it all takes money,” Tremblay said.

He said that LABIS currently serves 20 people but there are more people who could be served.

“We know there’s more out there that don’t know,” he said. “They’re sitting in silence, right? They’re suffering in silence because they’re not aware, so our goal is to get out to the long-term care facilities and different facilities around town and get the word out more and more and more and then hopefully get people get out in the community.”

They serve an area around Lloydminster with the furthest community being Maidstone. He said that people in those communities should be aware of LABIS as well.

“I’m sure there is, and they just don’t know about them, and they don’t know about us,” Tremblay said.

He explained that the money will help with transportation. Most people with a brain injury that take advantage of their facility are on a fixed income.

“Even with the handy van and places like that, it’s expensive, right? In some cases it’s $8 each way, so it’s $16. That’s a lot of money times two if they come twice a week. That’s a big chunk out of their assistance,” Tremblay said.

Lougheed is passionate about helping people heal from brain injuries. She said that passion comes from her husband passing away from an undiagnosed brain bleed.

“I’ve lived the role of the caregiver of the brain injured. I understand the life-changing occurrence that happens when someone has a brain injury. That’s true for many of my friends. When that happened, there was very little to reach out to,” Lougheed said.

“I came very quickly to understand that our province and my role as a volunteer, if our organization could come together, focus on brain injury all across the province, we could make a difference. Nobody else was doing it.”

Lougheed emceed the event, with speeches from Tremblay, Prince Albert Northcote MLA Alana Ross and Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky. The City of Prince Albert has proclaimed March as Brain Love Month.

Other events hosted by Saskatchewan Royal Purple in support of the SBIA include Purple Thursday, which is held annually in October and the provincial BrainLove golf tournament held in June.

Tremblay thanked the Royal Purple for their support.

“We just appreciate Royal Purple for considering us, finding us and us finding them,” Tremblay said. Lougheed meanwhile thanked everyone for their support.

“Just a huge thank you to our members, but also to every person in Saskatchewan who supports our projects. I mean, each time you support our project, you’re supporting a brain injured person in our province,” Lougheed said.

michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca

Winners crowned for Winter Festival Poster Contest

Michael Oleksyn
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Winners crowned for Winter Festival Poster Contest

Most people remember the Winter Festival poster contest growing up and how it was a key part of the festival. Weyerhauser used to donate the poster paper, but stopped when they closed.

In 2019, the Prince Albert Daily Herald partnered with the Winter Festival committee to bring back the poster contest and print the poster in our Rural Roots publication, which is available for free to the entire city of Prince Albert and surrounding communities, along with the monthly Northern Advocate, which is distributed to communities in Northern Saskatchewan.

This year, the poster also appeared in select issues of the Daily Herald.

In 2020, the Gateway Mall joined in as a sponsor of the contest and, together with their numerous vendors, has committed to collecting prizes for the winners and displaying all of the posters throughout the mall during the Festival.

In the five-year-old to seven-year-old category, Elizabeth Ballantyne placed first, Wren Walker placed second, and Nova Mercredi placed third.

Sharon Faul, General Manager of the Gateway Mall, and Daily Herald publisher Donna Pfeil, pose with the 5 to 7-year-old winners from the Winter Festival Poster Contest. Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald.

In the eight to nine-year-old category, Ophelia Fremont placed first, Knox Quirion placed second, and Autumn Burnett placed third.

Sharon Faul, General Manager of the Gateway Mall, and Daily Herald publisher Donna Pfeil, pose with the 8 to 9-year-old winners from the Winter Festival Poster Contest. Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald.

In the 10 to 11-year-old category, Avyn Zapanta placed first, Eslam (no last name provided) placed second, and Vaishnavi Ahswal placed third. Eslam and Ahswal were not able to come to the presentation.

Sharon Faul, General Manager of the Gateway Mall, and Daily Herald publisher Donna Pfeil pose with Avyn Zapanta, the 10 to 11-year-old winner from the Winter Festival Poster Contest. Not pictured are Second Place – Eslam, and Third Place – Vaishnavi Ahswal. Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald.

In the 12 to 14-year-old category, Rylee Mercredi placed first, Carl Calimeg placed second, and Gabe Arevelo placed third.

Sharon Faul, General Manager of the Gateway Mall, and Daily Herald publisher Donna Pfeil, with the 12 to 14-year-old winners from the Winter Festival Poster Contest. Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald.

The contest is free to enter, and ages 4 – 14 are eligible to participate.

Watch for next year’s Winter Festival Poster Contest, proudly brought to you by the Gateway Mall, the Prince Albert Daily Herald, and the Winter Festival committee.

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