LATEST ARTICLES

RM of Garden River resident begins GoFundMe for bell tower commemorating historic Catholic Church

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Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

After an important local landmark was destroyed in a fire, residents in the RM of Garden River have banded together to create a bell tower to remember it.

On Feb. 21, the former Saint Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church burned to the ground in a fire still under investigation by the Prince Albert RCMP. The church was located roughly 5 km south of Hwy No. 55.

On March 9, local resident Ian Kosik created a GoFundMe page asking for donations to build a bell tower in the Saint Peter and Paul Cemetery, located north of the church yard. 

“I have lived in the community all my life,” Kosik said. “(The church) is a landmark that burnt…. I want to give back to the community. (It’s) something that I feel is very well needed.”

The fundraiser is personal for Kosik. His dad, grandfather, uncles, and other relatives are buried at the Saint Peter and Paul Cemetery.

The Saint Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church was founded in 1910 by Polish Immigrants who moved to the RM. The building hosted services every Sunday for years, and included a small rectory where the priest stayed.

The Church last hosted an event in 1999 when a reunion was held. It was decommissioned in 2018 due to its poor condition.

Kosik said residents were devastated to lose such an important local landmark.

The construction of the bell tower will honour the memory of the pioneers and early settlers that built the church.

“For many years I’ve driven around and seen other places where they had bell towers in the cemetery,” he explained. “I just thought, since that bell that is going in that bell tower was originally bought for the church … it was just something I thought would make a good remembrance.”

“It’s kind of nice when you drive by on these rural roads then you see landmarks that are still standing,” he added. “It means a lot.”

Money raised will be for material and labor, any other money raised will go to beautifying the cemetery. As of press tie, time, the campaign has raised roughly $2,700.

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Crop Talk 2025 gives tips on insects and diseases control

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Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

The Conservation Learning Centre (CLC) organized and hosted the Crop Talk 2025 program at the Prince Albert Wildlife Federation building on March 12.

The event addressed  a lot of issues bothering farmers  in the Prince Albert area ranging from weeds and pest control strategies, tools and resources available for farmers, Agriculture Business risk management, sustainable CAP programs overview and how to manage or control losses during the agriculture season.

“My talk was covering just the past surveys that we do each year here in Saskatchewan and the information that we can glean on that from insects and diseases,” said Allie Noble a Ministry of Agriculture Crop Extension Specialist based out of Prince Albert. “It gives a better understanding for farmers and what they need to watch out for in their fields in 2025.”

Other personalities that were present at the event include Riley Rude from SK Agriculture, Zoe Gallbraith and Aquielle Thorlakson from the CLC, Jared Risling and Marcus Mayall from MNP, Paige Straf and Kaitlin Burns from SK Agriculture, and Shawn Senko from Canola Council of Canada.

Noble said moisture has a large impact on insects and diseases. She said moisture levels typically vary, but they have been higher than usual in the Prince Albert area the last few years.

“We do want to keep an eye out for diseases in the field (and) make sure we are scouting,” she said. “(It’s the) same with insects—make sure we’re scouting. The main message is we have a lot of these information. We can get an idea of what might be on the field but until you’re actually out there and looking for it, you are not going to know.”

Noble said insects and diseases are an issue every year, but can be managed if farmers and researchers keep a close eye on the problem.

Based on disease prevalence from last year, they have a basic idea of what farmers can expect to deal with in 2025. Without a crystal ball, however, she said they can’t say for certain what the impact will be.

Still, she’s confident local producers can manage any insect or disease problems if they stay vigilant.

“There is so much information out there that’s super helpful for producers,” she said. “Keep an eye on what’s going on in the area, keep and eye on what’s going on in the region and also getting out there and scouting in the fields. If you have any questions you call on our regional office and we will be more than happy to help you out on that too.”

Noble said farmers can use the weekly provincial crop report to stay up to date on what’s happening in the growing season.

“(It) gives a good look at what is actually happening in season, what risks we potentially have coming and also help  highlight the issues that producers are running into in their regions,” she said.

She also encouraged local residents to sign up to become crop reporters by visiting their website.

“We have a lot of fantastic crop reporters, but we could always use more,” she said.

—with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Make some noise: SCFPA set to host Tintamarre festivities

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Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

Residents can expect to hear plenty of noise on Wednesday, March 19 as the loudest cultural tradition in the province returns to Prince Albert.

The Societe canadienne-francaise de Prince Albert (SCFPA) expects between 500 and 600 students from French Immersion and French language schools to come out for Acadian cultural celebration Tintamarre.

The event will start at 10 a.m. in front of City Hall. Students from École Valois, École St-Isidore de Bellevue, École St Mary High School, École Vickers School and École Arthur Pechey are expected to attend.

“It’s (enjoyable) to see those all those kids show up from different schools (and) seeing they’re not alone,” said Soraya Ellert, the directrice générale for the SCFPA. “It’s just seeing the chemistry that happens between the youth. That’s great.”

The Tintamarre is an Acadian tradition where the community gathers to walk in the streets while making as much noise as possible, using improvised instruments and other such noise makers. This practice aims to demonstrate the vitality and solidarity of the community. It dates back to the middle of the 20th century.

The first Tintamarre was held in Moose Jaw five years ago. Ellert said attendance has steadily grown in Prince Albert since then.

“A lot of the students attending are from (French) Immersion and some are from the French schools themselves,” she explained. “It’s a good occasion for them to know French is there. You can have an activity in French and they discover French performers. There is a life out there when you are French.”

Part of the activities lined up includes a show with Shawn Jobin that will be offered at Plaza 88 at noon. Ellert said they were looking to add additional activities to the day.

 “We didn’t want to just have a march and make noise and that,” Ellert said. “That’s nice, but we wanted to offer them (students) something fun too, which is attending a French music show.

“It shows them that there are French performers out there, and hopefully we’ll get them to have a listening ear to French music because our youth are all on Spotify and everything. It’s not as much radio anymore. They listen more and more to English music, so this is showing them that there are French performers out there.”

In a press release, the SCFPA said it is proud of this activity, which is fully within their mandate of ‘Bringing Francophones and Francophiles in the Prince Albert region together, making the French language accessible and discovering French-Canadian culture.
The SCFPA also thanked its main partners: Canadian Heritage, the Association des parents fransaskois, the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises and the City of Prince Albert.

The SCFPA is a non-profit organization that creates activities for its community in order to perpetuate the French language, the development of the new French-Canadian culture in the region and the affirmation of the pride of Francophones and Francophiles.

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Correction: a previous version of this story incorrectly stated Tintamerre was taking place on Tuesday, March 18. The correction date is Wednesday, March 19.

Prince Albert set for annual Poutine Week

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Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) Prince Albert has finished finalizing plans to host the tastiest event in town.

PA Poutine Week runs from Mar. 14 – 23. The 10-day celebration will see restaurants around Prince Albert prepare their best poutine in hopes of winning the coveted Gravy Bowl, but it’s not just about the food or the competition. Each restaurant will donate $4 from every poutine to BBBS Prince Albert.

“We are really excited that we have three new restaurants joining us this year. Altogether we have 11 before. The excitement is growing and people are really looking forward to this year’s event,” said Natasha Thomson, the BBBS Development Coordinator.

The $4 donations will help BBBS train staff and enhance their mentorship programs. Thomson said the mentorship programs can be life-changing for local youth.

“There are so many benefits from having a mentor,” she said. “The young people, they learn about having healthy relationships, communication skills and they develop a positive self identity and find their own voice.”

Residents who purchase a poutine from one of the 11 participating restaurants can vote for their favorite by sharing a picture of their poutine on Facebook or Instagram.

“Everyone loves a good poutine and it’s a way to get out, support a good cause while having a nice dinner or lunch with your family and friends,” Thomson said. “It’s a great way to support local businesses and local kids.”

There are also lots of prizes to be won by residents, participants and even the restaurants that are taking part in this year’s Poutine Week. Each vote enters you into a daily giveaway for a restaurant gift card, while the restaurants have a chance to win an escape room party for their staff, or 10 Cineplex passes.

Also, the Poutine Choice Award will be given to the restaurant with the most votes while the Gravy Bowl Champion will go to the restaurant that sells the most poutine.

Thomson said the BBBS mentorship program is going well, but there is still a great need for volunteers.

“There’s always young people waiting for a friend,” she said.

This year’s competition will see a new winner after the defending champion Knotty Pine Bistro declined to enter. Thomson said the owner of the Knotty Pine is retiring, and won’t be competing.

The following restaurants are competing in the 2025 Poutine Week:

• Mozza Madness Poutine – Between The Buns

• Smoky Barbeque Pulled Pork Poutine – Boston Pizza

• Pot Roast Poutine – Humpty’s Big Plate Diner

• Birria Beef Poutine – Lulu’s Kitchen

• Le Boeuf Poutine – MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual

• Joe’s Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Poutine – Original Joe’s

• Beef Poutine – Prince Albert Brewing Company

• Bacon Breakfast Poutine – Ricky’s All Day Grill

• Cheeseburger Poutine – PAGCC Rock & Iron Sports Bar

• Italian Meatball Poutine – Shananigan’s Bistro Coffee & Dessert Bar

• Potato Skin Poutine – Venice House on Central

Ecole St. Mary holds open house

Ecole St. Mary High School held its annual open house on Mar. 6 and 7 to meet, discuss and talk about the things they do and give a tour of the entire Institution.

Prospective St. Mary students met in the school’s largest gym to talk with staff members about opportunities available at the school before touring the entire facility. Principal Dwayne Gareau said the goal is to show off the entire school so potential students can see everything St. Mary has to offer.

“I always say this: we’re not in competition with anyone,” Gareau said. “We want to be what we want to be, and if we’re the right choice for what people want, then they’ll choose to be here, but there are other options for them, and people will have to make decisions as a family (about) what’s best. We want students who think that this is the right fit for them to be in our school.

Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald (L to R) Lydia Mcleod, Jason Bourdon and Dwayne Gareau. Ecole St. Mary High School Principal Dwayne Gareau talked to the crowd on Wednesday during the school’s Open House.

“It’s a matter of finding the right fit for students,” he added.

This year marked the return of St. Mary’s two-day tour. Last year, the tours were interrupted by the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation labour dispute with the provincial government. That forced St. Mary to hold just one night of school tours.

Gareau said it was great to return to two nights as usual.

“It was a very large crowd (last year),” he said. “It was nice. We want as many people to come as need to see it, but when you’re doing a tour, it’s nice to have a decent size but not too big so we can get in and out of rooms quickly.”

Gareau said they try to highlight St. Mary’s advantages, and one of the biggest is the staff. He said in classroom instruction is obviously important, but staff at the school go above and beyond for the extracurricular components.

“So many staff really do give to the extracurricular engagement at the school which just adds to the life of the school,” he said. “That never gets tiresome. It never ceases to amaze me how many staff do get involved.”

Gareau helped conduct tours on Wednesday and Thursday, along with vice-principals Jason bourdon and Lydia Mcleod, and other staff members.

–with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

2025 PA Music Festival kicks off

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The 2025 Prince Albert Music Festival officially began at Messiah Lutheran Church on Monday, March 3.

This will be the 77th edition of the Prince Albert Music Festival. The event is put together by the Prince Albert Musical Festival Association (PAMFA). “It’s a pretty exciting thing,” said Jordana Thiessen President of Prince Albert Music Festival Association. “There’s just a variety of musical talent.”

The festival began with piano students taking the stage on Monday and Tuesday, followed by instrumental performances at the Mont St. Joseph Home on Thursday and Friday. Choral, vocal, and musical theatre groups will be on stage from March 13-16 at Messiah Lutheran, and band concerts will run from March 18-21 at Carlton Comprehensive Public High School.

There will also be awards concerts on March 7, March 21, and March 22.

Thiessen said this is a particularly busy year because the festival does not have a full-time coordinator. She said it’s one of a few open positions on the board. The current members, she said, are doing their best to make the event happen.

“We have a few members of our board who really stepped up creating the program,” she said. “There’s a lot of work everyone does anyways, but taking on and dividing up those festival coordinator responsibilities really was a lot more, and it’s not a sustainable thing. We are desperately hoping someone will come forward to be a member of our board.”

Thiessen said one of the festival’s big benefits is exposure. It’s not only a chance for young musicians and singers to perform, it’s also a place where they can receive feedback from professional musicians who come from the area.

Thiessen cited piano adjudicator Kathleen Lohrenz Gable, who is originally from Prince Albert, as an example.

“At this morning’s final session, our piano coordinator used that as a reminder to all the young piano performers that if you want to put in the work, you can be from Prince Albert and get to amazing places and do amazing things,” Thiessen said.

This will be the first year the music festival holds an event at Mont St. Joseph. Thiessen said they’re grateful for the opportunity to use the space. She said the venues and donors are a big part of the festival’s success. “I want to say thank you to Messiah Lutheran Church, Mont St Joseph and Carlton for being our venues this year, to everyone who donated scholarships, the performers, and of course the kids themselves, the teachers and the parents. This could not be possible without all of them,” she said.

2025 PA Music Festival kicks off

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Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

The 2025 Prince Albert Music Festival officially began on at Messiah Lutheran Church on Monday, March 3.

This will be the 77th edition of the Prince Albert Music Festival. The event is put together by the Prince Albert Musical Festival Association (PAMFA).
“It’s a pretty exciting thing,” said Jordana Thiessen President of Prince Albert Music Festival Association. “There’s just a variety of musical talent.”

The festival began with piano students taking the stage on Monday and Tuesday, followed by instrumental performances at the Mont St. Joseph Home on Thursday and Friday. Choral, vocal, and musical theatre groups will be on stage from March 13-16 at Messiah Lutheran, and band concerts will run from March 18-21 at Carlton Comprehensive Public High School.

There will also be awards concerts on March 7, March 21, and March 22.

Thiessen said this is a particularly busy year because the festival does not have a full-time coordinator. She said it’s one of a few open positions on the board. The current members, she said, are doing their best to make the event happen.

“We have a few members of our board who really stepped up creating the program,” she said. “There’s a lot of work everyone does anyways, but taking on and dividing up those festival coordinator responsibilities really was a lot more, and it’s not a sustainable thing. We are desperately hoping someone will come forward to be a member of our board.”

Thiessen said one of the festival’s big benefits is exposure. It’s not only a chance for young musicians and singers to perform, it’s also a place where they can receive feedback from professional musicians who come from the area.

Thiessen cited piano adjudicator Kathleen Lohrenz Gable, who is originally from Prince Albert, as an example.

“At this morning’s final session, our piano coordinator used that as a reminder to all the young piano performers that if you want to put in the work, you can be from Prince Albert and get to amazing places and do amazing things,” Thiessen said.

This will be the first year the music festival holds an event at Mont St. Joseph. Thiessen said they’re grateful for the opportunity to use the space. She said the venues and donors are a big part of the festival’s success.
“I want to say thank you to Messiah Lutheran Church, Mont St Joseph and Carlton for being our venues this year, to everyone who donated scholarships, the performers, and of course the kids themselves, the teachers and the parents. This could not be possible without all of them,” she said.

Saskatchewan Royal Purple extends areas of interest, donates $9,000

Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

For 11 years, Prince Albert and area Saskatchewan Royal Purple members have been advocating for more support for residents with acquired brain injuries. On Saturday, March 1, they announced a partnership with two new organizations, The Provincial Association of Transition Houses (PATHS) and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE).

The Saskatchewan Royal Purple is branching out.

“It’s time for us to look at a broader approach to the brain injury scene in our province,” Saskatchewan Royal Purple Charity Partnership Committee Chair Sandi Lougheed said in a press release. “We will still be supporting the brain injury survivors involved in SBIA’s camps and retreats but there are further needs to be addressed.” Lougheed said there is a need to cover more areas of brain injury arose because of the high number of persons involved in brain injury. She said organizations like PATHS and SANE are good partners because both serve woman with a high chance of suffering a brain injury. “The statistics are not pretty,” Lougheed said. “One in three women encounter interpersonal violence and, of those, one in eight suffer a brain injury due to being hit or strangled. These are brain injuries that are totally preventable.

While support for PATHS and SANE is new, the Saskatchewan Royal Purple have already been busy partnering with organizations that help women escape interpersonal violence.

Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald Saskatchewan Royal Purple President Darlene May is surrounded by Royal Purple members who brought cheques to the BrainLove launch at the Day’s Inn in Prince Albert on Saturday.

That includes a partnership with the PA Safe Shelter, which provides domestic violence and interpersonal violence victims with a place to stay.

PA Safe Shelter support services worker and supervisor Brendalee Pellerin said that partnership has been invaluable.

“We have that friendship connection now,” Pellerin said. “It goes beyond just an organization supporting a shelter.

“The service and the support that they provide to people with brain injuries is insurmountable.”

Saturday’s announcement was the first in a series of changes for the organization. The biggest involves plans to operate the Feather Ridge facility in Christopher Lake. The facility provides care for 10 young people suffering from acquired brain injuries. The Saskatchewan Royal Purple are currently waiting on approval from the provincial government.

“Even if our project is not approved, we have engaged in a year long advocacy on behalf of these youth and their families,” Lougheed said in a press release. “We have established contacts and supports for them and we will continue to support these young people however we can.”

March 1 kicked off the 11th BrainLove month in Canada. More than 1,000 volunteers across Canada will be putting up posters and distributing information about brain injuries and how they can be prevented.

“Saskatchewan can be really proud. It’s where we started it 11 years ago in Prince Albert and it became national now four years ago,” Lougheed said in an interview afterwards. “Saskatchewan can be proud, on the volunteer scene, with how we have come together with the brain injury associations … and that has simply grown across Canada.” Saturday’s kickoff also included cheque presentations for the cause. Royal Purple groups from around the province raised a total of $9,000. The speakers at the event included Sandi Lougheed and Brendalee Pellerin, MLA Alana Ross and Mayor Bill Powalinsky as well as Kerrie Elliott from Feather Ridge in Christopher Lake,

who thanked the Royal Purple for their advocacy. –with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Prince Albert Kinsmen happy to see continued support for TeleMiracle

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Uko Akpanuko

Daily Herald

The Kinsmen Foundation concluded activities on its 49th edition of TeleMiracle on March 2 as it raised more than $5.7 million for this year’s charity funding activities.

This year’s contribution increased the total TeleMiracle has raised since 1977 to now more than $170 million. In Prince Albert, local Kinsmen Club members said they were thrilled to see the support.

“The people of Saskatchewan are different than other people around the country or around America. They know what the people need. There’s a need, and we just tend to get to do it and get going and give the money,” said Brad Amy, the past-president of the Prince Albert Kinsmen Club. “It comes from what my grandfather said: ‘We’ve just got to get to work and raise the money we’ve got to raise and get going.’”

There are Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs all across Saskatchewan that people can join and make their donations to every year.

Amy said the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs in Prince Albert received strong local support, which allowed them to keep donating.

“I think that the total is right on par with what we thought it would be,” he said. “People know what this charity is and they know what TeleMiracle does, and I think people reach into their pockets every year and they come out and support it.

“I want to thank the people of Prince Albert for again being generous with their donations. We always ask for their money every year for the TeleMiracle every year and they keep supporting and supporting,” he added.

This year is the 49th edition of the TeleMiracle project.The proceeds go towards helping Saskatchewan residents improve their independence and quality of life through gifts of mobility and medical equipment or funding for medical travel that they otherwise could not afford.

“TeleMiracle remains rooted in Saskatchewan, and we can’t say thank you enough for the continued support of this province,” TeleMiracle 49 Chair Terri Troupe-Logue said in a press release. “TeleMiracle is a unique fundraiser that the whole province can take part in, in a meaningful and impactful way.”

Part of the many highlights of this year’s show was the 80 talented Saskatchewan performers who appeared throughout the telethon. Not only did these acts showcase the scope of talent from every corner of the province, but they also raised money for the foundation.

Nutrien, one of the major partners of the event, matched the funds raised with a  $100,000 donation presented just before the end of the event.

“We are so fortunate to have such generous donors in this province;” Troupe-Logue stated. “Their support will allow the Kinsmen Foundation to provide Saskatchewan residents assistance when they need it most”

TeleMiracle 50 will take place on Feb. 28 and Mar. 1, 2026, in Saskatoon.

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Prince Albert businessman eager to take part in new SGI speaker series

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Working with SGI Speaker Program ‘a dream come true’ says Demerais

Uko Akpanuko
Daily Herald

SGI is setting up a speaker program to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking, distracted, or reckless driving, and a Prince Albert business owner and public speaker is playing a big role in it.

On Wednesday, SGI announced the new program that they say will create a streamlined, accessible way for groups to engage with traffic safety advocates, one of which is Prince Albert business owner Cody Demerais.

“It’s not every day you get a massive organization like SGI that has as much contributions to communities, and wants to work alongside an individual like myself,” Demerais said during an interview with the Daily Herald.

“Each and every day that I get to do what I love to do is another gift on this planet…. Each and every one of them that I have connected with so far (there’s) nothing but great relationship building already. They have a great culture. To work with them is truly a dream come true.”

The new Speaker Program will provide $1,000 for speaker fees and travel costs within Saskatchewan for organizations that host speakers who promote safe driving habits through personal stories.

Demerais’ story is a difficult one. When he was 18, he drove while impaired. The result was a crash that severely injured both himself, and his best friend who was in the vehicle with him.

Afterwards, Demerais spent time in jail and grappled with his substance abuse and mental health struggles. In his presentations, he talks about his life as a reckless teenager, and how the consequences had a negative impact on his life, and the lives of others.

“It was hard to live with those mistakes that I made,” Demerais said. “Since I have been able to, thankfully, take my life back, I have really just want to make it a mission to try to teach others by the hard lessons I have learned and experienced myself so that others don’t have to walk the same path or the same journey to get where they need to be.”

Demerais was in Regina on Wednesday for the official program launch. Since he became sober, Demerais spoken at meetings with hundreds of people, do gatherings in the single digits.


He said every presentation is different, since schools, businesses, or non-profits might be looking to address specific areas. That means each presentation looks different.

“With all the stories that I’ve experienced in my life, I’m happy to say that when a different group or a different organization or a school is really looking to key on something, that I’m able to bring that to surface once again,” he explained. “That’s what I love to do, so each presentation isn’t cookie cutter the same.”

Demerais is one of two speakers who participated in the announcement on Wednesday. The other is Sandra LaRose, whose 16-year-old daughter Kailynn was killed in a distracted driving collision with a train.

Now, LaRose speaks to raise awareness about distracted driving and traffic safety in hopes of preventing others from losing a loved one.

“Real-life stories are what people remember,” LaRose said in a press release. “The SGI Speakers Program allows speakers like myself to share these stories. My world was turned upside down in 2018 with the death of Kailynn, but sharing her story with the people of Saskatchewan, and hopefully saving lives, is the best way I know to honour an amazing young lady.”

In the press release, SGI said the new program will help bring inspirational, educational and empowering speakers to Saskatchewan schools and organizations.

This program is available to schools, charities, workplaces, non-profit groups, community organizations and other public entities that are secular and not politically affiliated.


“A deeply personal story of someone directly impacted by a mistake or bad choice behind the wheel resonates with people in a way that facts and statistics alone cannot. We believe connecting people with powerful stories can inspire life-saving changes in behaviour,”Brad Crassweller White City – Qu’Appelle MLA Brad Crassweller said in the press release. “By bringing these stories to communities across Saskatchewan, we’re not just sharing knowledge — we’re fostering a sense of shared responsibility and commitment to each other’s well-being.”

Speakers can apply to join the program by reaching out to speakersprogram@sgi.sk.ca. For more details on the program and how you can apply, visit sgi.sk.ca/speakers-program.