Council approves $1 land deal for permanent shelter after lengthy debate

Arjun Pillai
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Council approves $1 land deal for permanent shelter after lengthy debate

Arjun Pillai


Daily Herald

Prince Albert City Council has approved the conditional sale of one acre of city-owned land at 650 Exhibition Drive to Saskatchewan Housing Corporation for $1, paving the way for a permanent emergency shelter, but not without sharp division over the site’s suitability and the transparency of the process.


The motion passed 6–3 on Monday evening, authorizing both the sale and subdivision of the parcel, located near the existing Stepping Stones shelter. City administration noted the location was selected through a public consultation process and ranked as a top site based on accessibility and distance from residential zones.

However, several councillors voiced frustration that the public had had little say in the final decision.


“At some point, they want to voice their concerns and be heard,” said Councillor Bryce Laewetz. “And I hope we get that chance.”

Price questioned


Councillor Daniel Brown proposed amending the sale to reflect fair market value instead of the symbolic $1 figure.
“The city’s already in financial restraint,” he said. “I’ll give you ten bucks for the land.”


City administration explained that the buyer, the province, is covering all servicing and infrastructure costs, which offsets the low price.


Councillor Stephen Ring expressed discomfort but supported the sale.


“I thought we were selling it, not giving it away,” he said. “But I’m going to support the motion and follow the process.”


Environmental concerns raised


Ring and others warned of the site’s past industrial use and potential soil contamination. He urged caution, noting long delays could result if remediation is needed.


“You’ll be shocked at the cost and time,” he said. “We’re talking months, maybe a year, just to get an engineer in there.”


City Solicitor Mitchell Holash confirmed the agreement includes a condition requiring an environmental review. If major contamination is found, the deal could be halted.


What happens next


Although the land sale is approved, construction cannot begin until three additional agreements are brought to council: a contract zoning agreement, a servicing agreement, and a development permit.


City Solicitor Mitchell Holash explained that the shelter cannot proceed without several additional approvals.


“Council will still see the contract zoning, the development permit, and the servicing agreement,” he said. “There are off-ramps for both parties.”


Councillor Dawn Kilmer supported moving forward, noting that the current vote is only one step in a long process.

A Brush Of Beauty: Doorway mural brightens Downtown Arts Centre

Arjun Pillai
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A Brush Of Beauty: Doorway mural brightens Downtown Arts Centre


Arjun Pillai


Daily Herald

An aging door at the Margo Fournier Arts Centre has been transformed with vibrant red prairie lilies, thanks to local artist Ria MacDonald, a summer student majoring in Fine Arts at the University of Saskatchewan, who brought her floral vision to life using acrylic paint in just one day.


The Margo Fournier Arts Centre, located in downtown Prince Albert, regularly hosts community programming, youth events, and art classes. It’s a well-used creative hub that supports emerging artists and provides space for public exhibitions and workshops.


“I wanted to keep something vibrant on the outside,” MacDonald said. “Something to bring some light into everybody’s day.”


MacDonald’s mural continues a tradition at the Arts Centre, where the door is repainted every few years, each time featuring a fresh creation by a different local artist. The door mural continues a theme she’s explored across Prince Albert in recent years: large, colourful floral paintings appearing on windows, doors, and downtown storefronts. Her Prairie lily piece on Central Avenue’s Art on the Avenue display last year drew such positive attention that she revisited the motif at the Arts Centre.


“I think everybody just really likes flowers. It brightens up everyone’s day,” she said.


MacDonald’s artistic journey combines passion and education. Currently pursuing a degree in education with a major in fine arts, she has been actively involved in community-based art projects throughout the city. Her works have graced storefronts such as the Bison Cafe, Art on the Avenue, and Sentiments Floral Studio. Most recently, she completed a commission for the Foil Room Hair and Beauty studio on Central Avenue.


The mural at the Margo Fournier Arts Centre emerged organically. The existing painted door was aging and needed refreshing, prompting Arts Centre staff to invite MacDonald to create something new. The resulting artwork is a bold, joyful addition to the building’s brick facade, a burst of colour and energy that captures attention and draws smiles from pedestrians.


Public response has been enthusiastic, MacDonald said.


“People often stop to talk to me while I’m painting. Someone recently told me it makes downtown look really beautiful. That was really nice to hear.”


In addition to creating public art. MacDonald is actively involved in art education. Throughout the summer, she offers art classes for children at the Margo Fournier Arts Centre, sharing her love for art and inspiring a new generation of local artists.


Earlier this year, her work was also shown at the Mann Art Gallery during the Winter Festival, giving her the chance to reach a wider audience in Prince Albert.


The downtown mural might be temporary, but MacDonald’s work is part of a growing effort to make public spaces in Prince Albert more vibrant and welcoming.


New Roots Shelter opens up to support vulnerable woman in Prince Albert

Arjun Pillai
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New Roots Shelter opens up to support vulnerable woman in Prince Albert

Arjun Pillai

Daily Herald


A new low-barrier shelter called New Roots has opened in the basement of the YWCA’s Our House facility, providing enhanced 24/7 emergency shelter for women in Prince Albert.

The ten-bed shelter offers a safe, women-only space for those experiencing a lack of housing. The shelter fills a gap left after the YWCA transferred its larger Stepping Stones Shelter to the Prince Albert Grand Council earlier this year. The shelter was funded by the Government of Saskatchewan, which had previously supported the 45-bed Stepping Stones Shelter.

According to the recent Point-In-Time Count conducted in October 2024, 230 individuals were experiencing homelessness in Prince Albert, up from 120 in 2022, a doubling of the unhoused population.

“We needed to make sure women still had a safe place to go,” said Donna Brooks, CEO of YWCA Prince Albert. “The women didn’t always feel safe in the same room as men, maybe even men who had abused them on the street.”

New Roots is a low-barrier shelter, meaning it accepts clients even if they’re intoxicated, a model designed to reduce access barriers. However, on-site substance use is not allowed.

Open 24 hours a day, the shelter provides a full range of services, including meals, showers, laundry, case management, housing referrals, and connections to addiction and income support programs.

“Every woman has a worker assignment to them,” said Brooks. “We even have an addictions worker in the building.”

Women can access the shelter by ringing the back doorbell at Our House or by calling the facility. It seems anyone who identifies as a woman, is over 18, and is experiencing housing insecurity, regardless of immigration status or background.

New Roots is designed to be more than a short-term solution. Brooks says the goal is to help women move up the housing continuum, whether that means treatment, transitional housing, or permanent support.

“This is part of a long-term solution,” she said. “Some people may prefer a large shelter, but others need something smaller with more services. Shelters like this play an important part in helping people move forward.”

With the lower level of Our House already zoned for shelter use, Brooks said the transition required only minor adjustments before the beds could be opened. Ten of the province-funded beds formerly at Stepping Stones were moved to Our House for New Roots, while the Prince Albert Grand Council continues to operate 35 beds at the exhibition grounds.

Women who are 18 and older can access New Roots by calling 306-930-9305 or ringing the doorbell at the rear entrance of ‘Our House’ (94 15th Street East). More information about the new shelter is available at ywcaprincealbert.ca/our-house.

While New Roots is a smaller space, Brooks says it fills a critical need in the city, one that focuses not just on the immediate shelter, but on helping women build toward long-term stability.

With Fires Ongoing, SPSA looks to Recovery and Prevention

Arjun Pillai
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With Fires Ongoing, SPSA looks to Recovery and Prevention

Arjun Pillai


Daily Herald

While Saskatchewan’s wildfire season moves into its second half, provincial officials say most evacuees have returned home, containment has improved, but wildfire risks remain and long-term rebuilding challenges persist.

At Monday’s press briefing, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency Vice-President of Operations Steve Roberts reported 19 active fires across the province. A total of 267 wildfires have been recorded so far in 2025, a sharp increase over the five-year average of 162.

Containment is progressing on several key fronts. The Shoe Fire is now 50% contained, while the Pisew and Wolf Fires are each at 30% containment. The Ditch Fire, previously listed as fully contained, has been reassessed at 80%. Over the weekend, new flare-ups in northern areas required some crews to shift locations. Highways 912, 927, and 167 remain impacted by these fires, and commuters will encounter roadblocks and limited access.

The province’s structure loss figure: 1931 structures confirmed destroyed by wildfires, remains unchanged.

Communities like Denare Beach and Creighton have largely repatriated, with only 46 individuals still receiving support due to medical needs. East Trout Lake remains evacuated, with access still being assessed before residents can safely return to inspect their properties.

Roberts confirmed that over 3.8 million in emergency relief, including $500 support cheques, has been distributed to evacuees. SPSA staff are hand-delivering remaining payments this week in Creighton, offering residents a chance to speak directly with agency personnel to resolve any registration or distribution issues.

A recovery task team has been deployed and is meeting with local leadership in Creighton and other communities to assess longer-term support needs, particularly for individuals who lost primary residences and lack sufficient insurance coverage.

Despite the recent cool, damp weather, Roberts emphasized Saskatchewan is “only halfwaythrough the fire season.”

While conditions have improved, the agency is now shifting part of its strategy back to initial attack, quickly responding to new fires to prevent them from escalating.

A question from the Daily Herald brought attention to the idea of encouraging more fire-resistant materials, like stone or concrete, in wildfire-prone communities.

Roberts responded that while SPSA does not oversee construction standards, the agency promotes wildfire risk mitigation through its FireSmart program. He outlined safety strategies such as maintaining defensible space around homes, clearing gutters, relocating propane tanks, and using fire-resistant roofing, though no mention was made of advancing policies that promote concrete or stone construction.

“Some of the cabins lost this year were on islands,” Robers said, explaining how windborne embers can ignite fires under decks or in dry structural areas. “That’s typically where a fire would start.”

While containment efforts continue, the exchange highlighted a deeper issue: rebuilding after wildfires may require more than cleanup and insurance; it may demand a rethinking of how and what communities build in high-risk areas.

Prince Albert marks Indigenous Peoples day with music, burgers and wildfire support

Arjun Pillai
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Prince Albert marks Indigenous Peoples day with music, burgers and wildfire support


Arjun Pillai

Daily Herald

With music, laughter, and the smell of barbecued burgers in the air, Prince Albert marked National Indigenous Peoples Day with a celebration of resilience, culture, and community connection at the PAGC Urban Services building on Friday.

Organized by the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Women’s Commission, the event featured live performances, indoor bouncy castles, and booths hosted by groups like SGI and CUPE, who also served over 1,000 burgers and hot dogs outside the venue.

“This is a chance to celebrate all the great that we are,” said Sheryl Kimbley, PAGC’s special event coordinator. “Too many times, people focus on what’s not good. A day like this lets us showcase our artists, our participation, and show Prince Albert that we contribute in so many positive ways.”

Among the featured performers were Dillon Gazandlare, a one-handed guitarist from Wollaston Lake who tours with Robb Nash, and Jay Campross, a Canadian touring musician who now works for PAGC. Artists such as Violet, Nate Taohao, and Donnie Corgill also contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of the day.

The celebration was originally intended to be held outdoors but was moved inside due to weather. Kimbley said she was grateful that PAGC Urban Services stepped up to host in the absence of a larger gathering previously led by the Indian Métis Friendship Centre.

But the day wasn’t just about celebration; it also served as a reminder of the long road ahead for those affected by Saskatchewan’s wildfires. PAGC used the event as a collection point for donations, with Leon’s Furniture donating 260 blankets, First Nations University providing baby supplies, and staff from the Northern Lights Casino gathering various items for families returning to damaged or destroyed homes.

“It’s not over,” Kimbley said. “A lot of those people have gone home to no homes, or smoke damage. Curtains, towels, cupboards, so many things need replacing. We want to help in any way we can.”

CUPE representative Mira Lewis said the union’s participation in the event was about more than just food.

“This is a really important day, and everybody should come out and celebrate it,” Lewis said. “It’s about honouring Canada’s First Peoples and their contributions to our society and culture.”

Representatives from Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) were also present, offering community outreach and promoting safety.

“We’re here with the SGI Safety Reward Street Team,” said Trey Lefebvre. “We’re making sure people get home safe, whether that’s by cab, Uber, or designated driver. I’ve lost loved ones to drinking and driving, sharing this message means a lot.”

Lefebvre added that SGI is also promoting its “Just Drive” campaign to raise awareness about distracted driving.

Despite the rain, the event drew a steady crowd of families and community members, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, enjoying the celebration together.

“What I hope it will do is bring together like-minded people who say, ‘Yeah, we want to celebrate all that you are,'” said Kimbley. “And I hope we’re welcoming to everyone who came here to celebrate this national day with us.”

With Music, Theatre and Local spirit, Rawlinson opens new season; and a new Showpass system

Arjun Pillai
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With Music, Theatre and Local spirit, Rawlinson opens new season; and a new Showpass system

Arjun Pillai


Daily Herald

Prince Albert’s arts community gathered at the EA Rawlinson Centre on Wednesday evening for a season launch that celebrated not only an ambitious calendar of performances but also the people who make the arts possible.

The evening began with an impromptu exchange between Mayor Bill Powalinski and EA Rawlinson Centre’s new manager, Cory Philley, who brings a background rich in theatre and community arts.
“I think what it does is it brings about a unique culture within a community,” said Mayor Powalinski, reflecting on his own history as a musician. “For me, it’s a source of pride, entertainment, belonging, and accomplishment. We bring our younger folks up into it as well; it’s intergenerational.”

Philley echoed that sentiment, adding, “Art connects us instantly. You can be in a room full of strangers and feel deeply understood. That kind of connection. That kind of connection happens quicker in the arts than anywhere else.”

The mayor also paid tribute to the city’s volunteers. He cited national statistics estimating that volunteer contributions across Canada equate to $55 billion in economic value.

“On a per capita basis, Prince Albert is number one in Saskatchewan. We do it willingly, and with great spirit.”

Following the speeches, attendees were treated to a vibrant preview video showcasing highlights from the upcoming season. Shows range from intergenerational family fun (For Science!, Domestikate, and ventriloquist Michael Harrison) to high-calibre music and comedy acts, including Glass Tiger, Paula Cole & Sophie B. Hawkins, and comedian Aliya Kanani.

The preview also drew laughs from the crowd, especially during a scene from ‘Menopause The Musical 2’ where the lyric “I need a Veto,” a cheeky parody of Bonnie Tyler’s “I need a Hero,” sparked a wave of giggles across the theatre.

International offerings include UPU, a powerful blend of spoken word and visual storytelling by a group from New Zealand. In an interview, when asked about future international inclusion, Philley added that the forthcoming 2026-2027 season will also bring acts from Australia, the UK, and Scotland.

The Centre’s “On Stage” cabaret series features Saskatchewan talent such as Cupid’s Heart, Ella Forest, and The Crosby Harle Band.

Continuing the conversation, Philley also shared the behind-the-scenes process of programming the season: “It’s a little bit of math, a little bit of alchemy. You look for different voices, touring artists, and gaps in the calendar, and you build from there.”

She named The Girls: A Country Christmas, Celtic Tenors, and up-and-comer Kelly Bedeaud among her personal highlights. Her curatorial approach emphasizes cultural range and accessibility: “People want experiences they can share with their kids, their parents, their friends. This season reflects that: diverse voices, multi-generational appeal.”


As the preview wrapped, audiences flowed into the lobby, where Broadway North Theatre Company gave a pop-up performance from their 30th anniversary production of Grease. The show officially opens in August.


Tickets for the 2025-2026 season are now available through the Centre’s new Showpass system, which offers a smoother, more user-friendly ticketing experience. Patrons can create an account with just their name and email, access bundled discounts automatically, and even use a self-serve kiosk on-site for added convenience.


“Remain curious,” Philley advised. “Come see something that catches your eye. Ask us questions. Talk to the staff. This space was built for conversation.”

From fire to recovery: SPSA begins long rebuild of communities and homes, including their own

Arjun Pillai
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From fire to recovery: SPSA begins long rebuild of communities and homes, including their own

Arjun Pillai


Daily Herald

As Saskatchewan navigates one of its most challenging wildfire seasons in years, provincial officials are shifting focus from crisis response to long-term recovery, a transition that comes with major logistical and emotional hurdles.

At a media update on Friday, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) reported 19 active wildfires across the province. So far this year, 265 fires have been recorded, a sharp rise from the five-year average of 159. Cooler weather has slowed fire activity in recent days, but officials warned that the season is far from over.

“We’re only about halfway through,” said Steve Roberts, SPSA’s Vice-President of Operations. “There’s still a fair bit of work ahead.”

Major fires like the Shoe, Pisew, and Wolf blazes have stabilized to varying degrees, with containment levels at 40 per cent, 20 per cent, and 30 per cent, respectively. Repatriation of affected communities is underway, including in Whelan Bay, Denare Beach, and Creighton. Roughly 2,000 people remain evacuated, 300 of whom are still receiving direct support from the agency.

In total, 1,931 structures have been confirmed lost to fire, including 299 homes and 60 cabins. Officials noted that recovery will depend not just on insurance payouts, but on coordinated rebuilding, environmental cleanup, and utility restoration, all of which will need to be carefully scheduled.

“You can’t have 229 people all trying to get their power hooked up on the same day,” Roberts said, pointing to the need for a structured timeline. “This has to be done in an organized way.”

To lead that effort, a cross-government Recovery Task Force has been formed. The group includes representatives from SPSA, social services, municipal affairs, and the Ministry of Environment. Their role is to work directly with community leaders to assess needs and manage the process of returning homes and infrastructure to a livable condition.

Marlo Pritchard, SPSA President and Saskatchewan’s Fire Commissioner, said the task force is also tasked with helping those who’ve lost everything.

“This is not going to be a short-term solution,” Pritchard said. “We’re prepared to work for as long as it takes; days, weeks, months, even a year, to make sure those families are supported.”

A one-time $500 emergency payment is being distributed to eligible adults in affected areas. Officials also hinted at upcoming support from the Red Cross, though details remain pending.

While the province has brought in fresh crews and continues to rotate staff to manage fatigue, the work has taken a personal toll.

“Some of our staff have had actual structures lost that they own while working on these fires,” said Steve Roberts. “This is personal. These are their families and neighbours.”

SPSA says 24-hour mental health support lines and wellness programs are in place, but acknowledges the emotional strain runs deep. Staff are not only facing the physical demands of fire suppression, they’re also navigating the trauma of loss while still on duty.

With nearly half the fire season still ahead, officials say the focus remains on containment, coordination, and helping residents take the first steps toward rebuilding their lives.

When the grid goes down, they power up: Melfort’s Radio Operators prepare for emergencies

Arjun Pillai
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When the grid goes down, they power up: Melfort’s Radio Operators prepare for emergencies

Arjun Pillai

Daily Herald

When wildfires or storms take out power lines and cellular networks, a quiet but determined group of radio operators in Saskatchewan stands ready to fill the gap with nothing but antennas, batteries, and old-fashioned skill.

The Melfort Repeater Group, made up of about a dozen amateur radio operators, or “hams,” will host their ARRL/RAC Summer Field Day event on June 28 and 29, about 25 km down Route 6. The event, which is open to the public, is both a technical challenge and a disaster readiness drill.

“We’ll be operating out of a travel trailer running on generator power,” said John Hummel-Newell, also known by his call sign VE5JHN, Field Day chairman of the Melfort Repeater Group. “It’s meant to simulate a real emergency; what would we do if there was no power, no cell coverage, no internet?”

Field Day is part of a continent-wide 24-hour event hosted by the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL). The 2025 theme, christened “Radio Connects,” highlights the ways amateur radio brings people together when modern technology fails. An estimated 33,000 participants across North America are expected to take part.

In Melfort, operators will be setting up antennas, tuning equipment, and attempting to make contact with as many stations as possible. The goal? Sharpen their skills for when they’re needed most, especially during a disaster.

“If the grid went down in a community like Candle Lake or La Ronge, we could pass along health and welfare messages, even track people who are missing using location beacons,” Hummel explained. “We’ve passed messages to the Red Cross, coordinated family check-ins, and we’re able to talk around the world using just radio waves.”

Though the Melfort club hasn’t yet been deployed for a wildfire, Hummel-Newell said that’s exactly why this training matters. “We do this so that we’re ready. That’s the whole point.”

Amateur radio, or ham radio, is more than a hobby. It’s a globally connected community that uses radio waves to communicate across borders, through satellites, and even with astronauts in space, all without relying on phone networks or the internet. In fact, astronauts regularly speak with students and amateur operators through the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program.

Even Hollywood has highlighted this real-life capability. In the film Gravity, Sandra Bullock’s character briefly connects with an amateur radio operator while stranded in orbit, a fictional moment grounded in reality.

Hummel-Newell, who got involved after COVID lockdowns and a family discussion about his father’s WWII wartime radio work, says the hobby still has much to offer. “There is a huge variety in what people do. Some launch radio beacons with model rockets, others ski with handheld radios and talk across provinces.”

He hopes the event sparks new interest, especially among youth.

“We’ve had a bit of growth since COVID, but not many young people. So we’re opening this up, showing it off, and tying it into public events like Touch-a-Truck in Melfort.”

Across North America, the event is a major highlight for radio enthusiasts and a real-time test of survival communication. While new technology continues to evolve, Field Day underscores one key principle:

“When all else fails, radio works.”

‘A different level of recovery’: La Ronge residents returns home

Arjun Pillai
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‘A different level of recovery’: La Ronge residents returns home

Arjun Pillai


Daily Herald

After nearly ten days away, residents of La Ronge are back home and working to restore routine, following a fast-moving wildfire evacuation earlier this month.

Lyle Hannan, Chief Administrative Officer for the town, said most essential services have resumed, with grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants now operating at regular hours.

“It was approximately 10 days,” Hannan said, noting the majority returned on June 12. “Some people self-evacuated, so it’s hard to say exactly when everyone came back, but the buses returned that weekend.”

Although La Ronge did not suffer structural damage from the fire, the emotional toll has been significant.

“Even those that didn’t have any physical loss, just the process of being displaced for that long, not knowing what they would come home to, and then looking around the region, it’s tough,” said Hannan. “But there’s a lot of perseverance.”

The town is now helping residents verify their identification so that they can receive provincial assistance payments. On June 11, Premier Scott Moe announced all evacuees aged 18 and over will receive a $500 provincial grant, delivered through community channels within the evacuation zones. The one-time payment is intended to help evacuees with the costs of returning home, such as food, fuel, and cleanup supplies. The announcement followed public concerns about earlier support delays and gaps in eligibility during evacuation periods.

Much of the logistical support during the evacuation was coordinated by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and the Red Cross.

At the height of the emergency, 53 residents and patients from the La Ronge Health Centre and local care homes were also safely evacuated by ambulance and airlife. Fire departments from Prince Albert, St. Louis, Buckland, and other neighbouring areas were deployed to La Ronge under SPSA coordination, helping local crews with structure protection and fire containment efforts.

“There wasn’t a lot of warning,” Hannan said. “We went from things looking okay to, you know, a fire moving at 80 kilometres an hour, just ripping through the North.”

Crews rotated through La Ronge until June 11, many working 16 to 20 hour days in difficult conditions.

Returning residents are now dealing with the aftereffects: cleaning fridges, cleaning yards, and hauling waste to the landfill. Hannan described it as a “different level of recovery,” with people shifting from crisis mode to re-establishing daily routines.

“It’s a busy time. A lot of people are just getting back into the swing of things with their employers,” Hannan said.

Although some organizations and individuals are still adjusting, Hannan said most people are now focused on recovery and moving forward.

This wildfire season is already among the most destructive in Canada in recent memory, second only to 2023 in terms of area burned. La Ronge’s experience underscores the increasing need for communities to prepare for fast-moving fire threats.

Hannan said town officials plan to conduct a debrief in the coming weeks to improve future response plans.

Though he couldn’t speak for every individual’s experience, Hannan said the sense of community support has remained strong.

“Some people are struggling financially, some emotionally. But people are rallying around them.”

When asked what stood out most during the crisis, Hannan pointed to the firefighters.

“Crews came in from around the province, working 16 to 20 hour days to keep the fires from breaching the community. Their dedication and selflessness, it was pretty amazing.”

To those in other communities still under threat, Hannan offered a message of solidarity.

“If there’s anything we can do to help, we will. The North is a strong region, and we tend to band together.”

From St. Louis to across Canada: Sophie McDougall’s voice now travels by stamp

Arjun Pillai
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0
From St. Louis to across Canada: Sophie McDougall’s voice now travels by stamp

Arjun Pillai


Daily Herald

Local community members gathered at the Art Hauser Centre on June 17 for an emotional ceremony unveiling a Canada Post stamp honouring Sophie McDougall, a revered Métis Elder and Michif language keeper whose work touched generations of students and cultural learners across Saskatchewan.


McDougall, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 94, was remembered by family, dignitaries, and friends as a passionate educator, a guardian of language, and a matriarch whose voice and teachings continue to resonate.

“This is such an honour,” her grandson Kris Phaneuf said. “She was the queen of the Métis, and now it’s official. She’s on a Canadian stamp.”


The stamp is part of Canada Post’s 2025 Indigenous Leaders series. Designed by Andrew Perro with illustrations by Jennifer Radia, it features McDougall’s image set against scenes from her hometown of St. Louis, Saskatchewan, including the original parish, railway bridge, and a schoolhouse bell.


“She made a huge impact on her community,” said Tyler Thomas, Director of Indigenous and Northern Affairs at Canada Post. “She was a language keeper. Her work in revitalizing Michif is part of what helps keep culture alive, especially for youth.”


Throughout the ceremony, speakers reflected on McDougall’s lifelong dedication to teaching, her warmth, and her sharp memory.


Peggy Parenteau, one of McDougall’s daughters, described her mother as “our living encyclopedia,” noting she raised 13 children while preserving and translating Michif into educational materials.


“She just loved family,” said Parenteau. “She believed in language. She always said, ‘It’s not messy, it’s Massey.'”


Cassidy Caron, former president of the Métis National Council, shared a story about hearing McDougall speak in the exact same dialect as her own grandmother, a moment that struck her with awe.


“She deserved this,” Caron said in a video message. “It’s wonderful to know Sophie is being honoured this way.”


Also delivering remarks were Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky, Métis Nation: Saskatchewan President Glen McCallum, Minister Eric Schmalz, and members of the McDougall family. Many acknowledged the emotional weight of the day.


In a standout tribute, Marie McBride, a fellow board member of the Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association, recalled a striking moment when Sophie was once interviewed by a visiting media crew. Midway through the interview, the reporter switched to French and then Michif.

McDougall replied instantly in both languages, leaving everyone stunned. “It created a truly beautiful moment,” McBride said.


Musical performances by the Dean Smith Band added a celebratory and reflective tone to the event.


Around 140 of McDougall’s relatives, including sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren, were in attendance. Many wiped away tears as speakers recalled her legacy, while others smiled as children played nearby, a living reminder of the generations she helped shape.


“She would’ve loved this,” said Phaneuf. “All the attention. The recognition. To see five generations of her family in one room, she would’ve been right at home.”


The stamp will be officially released on June 20, the day before National Indigenous Peoples Day, and will be available in a pack of six at select Canada Post locations and online.

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