$6M Interpretive Centre to promote Nakoda history
By Angela Brown SaskToday.ca
MOSQUITO GRIZZLY
BEAR’S HEAD LEAN
MAN FIRST NATION–It’s an exciting time for Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man (MGBHLM) as the First Nation is getting closer to the opening of its new Interpretive Centre on its land at The Ridge, located south of Battleford.
Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman recently received the keys to the new building. Sept. 30 is planned for the grand opening date.
“I definitely am really proud of all the people that contributed to that facility, right from the beginning of the idea, right to the individuals that pushed for it and developed it on paper, and then communicated with government,” Aguilar-Antiman said. “It’s a huge undertaking. I’m really proud how everybody came together. It was a total of 29 project meetings to make that building become a building, right from day one of the project management, and setting up and going back and forth.”
The two-story building is 15,000 square foot in size.
The full value of the project is over $6 million, with the provincial and federal governments contributing $5.8 million through a grant
and the Nation putting in close to $950,000.
“It’s a beautiful building,” Aguilar-Antiman said. “We got a sneak peek yesterday [July 31]. The furniture will be arriving at the end of August or early September.”
The interpretive centre will feature the art of Henry Beaudry.
The full name of the facility is still being determined.
“We as a leadership want to identify his Indian name, like in the Cree language and Nakoda language,”
Aguilar-Antiman said.
“That’s what we’re working on right now. It’s part of our language retention, and an opportunity to really promote the history and
share that language with the rest of the country.”
A great part of the centre will be focused on the Nakoda history.
“It’s going to be promoting the Nakoda history of the Battlefords and how the Nakoda people and the three bands — Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, and Lean Man — were part of
all the history that we have in the Battlefords,” Aguilar-Antiman said. “Right from the railway, right from the last hangings that took place in the Battlefords, and the Industrial School, there’s a whole range of history that we want to share... I think it’s really important to share that history when we talk reconciliation.”
Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman receives the keys to the new Interpretive Centre. | MGBHLM Facebook
Man sentenced to four years in prison in death of David Lapointe
By Angela Brown SaskToday.ca
NORTH BATTLE -
FORD–A man who previously pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death was sentenced to four years in prison in the death of David Lapointe.
Nolan Bird, from Saskatoon, who is in custody, appeared by CCTV in North Battleford Provincial Court on July 30.
The 34-year-old man previously pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death. A charge of manslaughter was stayed in the case.
Lapointe’s body was found after police were called to a home on the 1600 block of 102nd Street in North Battleford on March 13, 2022.
Crown prosecutor Oryn Holm told the court at the time of the incident Bird had in his possession a loaded firearm. When he went to see Lapointe, he handed the
firearm to him because he was having problems with it.
“He passed the loaded firearm to a clearly intoxicated Mr. Lapointe to potentially try to fix the firearm,” Holm said.
Lapointe began to play with it. When Bird tried to take the firearm back, during the bit of a struggle, the firearm discharged, shooting Lapointe in the face, and
ultimately killing him. Bird had not been holding the firearm at the time it discharged, Holm said.
The court heard that Lapointe was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the incident.
When he addressed the court, Bird said he is sorry.
“If it wasn’t for me with the firearm it wouldn’t have happened. I shouldn’t have
had it,” he said.
Defence attorney Aleida Oberholzer said Bird had a difficult life and Gladue factors apply.
She said he has ongoing struggles with addiction and was diagnosed with depression.
“He is trying to become a better influence in his children’s lives,” Oberholzer
said.
Judge William Mokuruk accepted the joint submission from Holm and Oberholzer.
“I think you made a wise decision,” said the judge on Bird’s prior guilty plea to the criminal negligence causing death charge.
Bird was sentenced to four years in prison for criminal
negligence causing death, less 911 days time served. He was also sentenced to 90 days concurrent for a separate June 2022 North Battleford charge of being in possession of stolen property–a motor vehicle–and nine months consecutive for an April 2024 Saskatoon charge of assault. In total, Bird has 820 days left to serve.
Fred Light Museum plans Family Fun Day
By Angela Brown SaskToday.ca
BATTLEFORD–Families and visitors alike will have lots to do at the Fred Light Museum in Battleford at the upcoming annual Family Fun Day.
The event will take place Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum retiring manager Bernadette Leslie said it will be a great day to get out and get to know the museum.
“We’ll have horse and wagon rides, a clown who does balloon twisting, a magic show, and a dunk tank.”
Some of the local celebrities who have volunteered to participate in the dunk tank
include Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie, Battleford Coun. Kevin Russell, Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill, Justin Miller–Fred Light Museum manager trainee, one of the firefighters, and the manager of the Battleford Discovery Co-op.
“There will be all sorts of different games for adults and children,” said Bernadette.
The event also includes four bands that will play outside at the gazebo.
The day also includes a silent auction inside the Fire Brigade building, with funds raised benefitting the museum.
People can also take in the many demonstrations happening at the museum, such as blacksmithing, rope making and woodturning.
The day is also a good time for people to get to know the museum more.
“Most people who come through the Family Fun Day will take the time to come through the museum,” Leslie said.
There will be something for the kids, too.
“Most times we do have a little scavenger hunt that they can look for in here for different artifacts,” Leslie said.
Coffee and tea will be available inside the Fire Brigade building at the Seniors’ Corner for people who want a little respite.
Nolan Bird. | Photo courtesy RCMP
Incoming museum manager Justin Miller, left, and outgoing manager Bernadette Leslie shown at the Fred Light Museum on July 31, 2025.
MGBHLM First Nation’s Yellowstone bison released to pasture
By Angela Brown SaskToday.ca
MOSQUITO GRIZZLY BEAR’S HEAD LEAN MAN FIRST NATION — Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation (MGBHLM) is celebrating the release of its new bison herd from quarantine to pasture land at its property south of Battleford.
The herd of 11 bison first settled in their new home at MGBHLM when they were gifted from the Fort Peck Tribes in Montana, back in February.
This was the first time a
bison herd from Yellowstone National Park crossed the border into Canada.
“A very historic event took place, not only for Canada, Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man, but also for the U.S.A., for us to bring back a herd of buffalo from another tribe to another tribe,” Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman said. “This has never happened before. We’re the first to have a herd of Yellowstone buffalo as a First Nations tribe. They brought buffalo across in years before, however, it was not First Nations-controlled and/or owned. So this was
Fred Light Museum welcomes new manager
By Angela Brown SaskToday.ca
BATTLEFORD–The Fred Light Museum in Battleford has a new manager.
Justin Miller has been announced to replace retiring long-time manager Bernadette Leslie in the position.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to take a little bit of getting used to. It’s different from what I’m used to, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Leslie said Miller was the right person for the position.
“He’s a local person and he’s been a volunteer since 2016 doing blacksmithing, and then he was a board member for a few years,” she said.
Leslie noted it was important that Miller had a good knowledge of the museum and was local.
“That was one of the most important things we were looking for, for it to be a local person,” Leslie added.
Miller, who is a carpenter, previously worked for Home Hardware. More recently he was employed with Jety Builders.
He said he was interested in the position due to his long interest in history.
definitely a historic time for everybody in Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation.”
The gifting of Yellowstone
“I’ve always had a love of antiques and older things, and the collection here is amazing,” Miller said. “Just to have that in my daily environment is pretty awesome.”
Former museum board chair Floyd Andersen first recruited Miller to the museum board because he knew that Miller was a blacksmith and had an interest in the trade.
Then, while he was on the board, Miller helped start the museum’s blacksmith’s shop.
Leslie, who will be retiring after over 45 years with the museum, will be training Miller in his new role while she is still there, until the end of October.
“I certainly can’t learn everything that she knows, even by October, but I believe that will come in time, as long as she gets me headed in the right direction from where she’s gone,” Miller said. “Then, after that, she’ll probably just be a phone call away.”
Miller hopes to follow in Leslie’s footsteps as a preserver of history.
“[I hope to] preserve it [the museum], and keep it heading in the direction that it was intended to from the start,” he said.
bison is an initiative that came out of the Buffalo Treaty, which aims to bring back the buffalo and reintroduce them to Indigenous lands.
According to the treaty, First Nations people are part of the buffalo “culturally, materially and spiritually.”
“Our ongoing relationship is so close and so embodied in us that Buffalo is the essence of our holistic eco-cultural life-ways,” the treaty reads.
Since the herd of 11 bison have been with MGBHLM they have had three babies, so there are now 14 bison in the pack.
Aguilar-Antiman was excited to see the children watching the bison be released to MGBHLM’s pasture lands in the Battlefords area.
“That’s an exciting time,” she said. “The children witnessed them in February and some of them came back to watch them being released from the quarantine site to the big pasture along the river right here. Those children are going to remember that.”
Aguilar-Antiman noted that more than 100 people were involved when the Yellowstone buffalo were first brought to the MGBHLM First Nation.
“As a leader, I want people to understand it takes partnership and teamwork to make things happen,” she said.
Healing Garden aims to promote medicinal plants
By Angela Brown SaskToday.ca
NORTH BATTLEFORD–
Giant hyssop to relieve lung ailments and buffalo sage to treat sore throats and colds.
A Healing Garden is now growing behind the Allen Sapp Gallery in North Battleford to educate young people and all visitors about medicinal plants native to the plains and native grasses.
“We encourage people to come and take medicine they need, observing protocols, and make sure you leave enough for others to use,” said Leah Garven, the curator/manager of galleries for the City of North Battleford.
The garden was planted by permaculturalist Elizabeth Bekolay a few years ago.
“She does a lot of eco-education and garden design,” said Garven.
Some of the medicinal plants grown in the garden include buffalo sage, horse sage, rose hips, wild bergamot, cedar and giant hyssop, to name a few.
Garven said that histori-
cally many of these plants would be made into medicinal teas or perhaps some could be used in a compound and applied to a wound for healing purposes.
“It’s a wonderful asset in the neighbourhood, and in the gallery’s programming and offering,” said Garven of the garden. “We don’t always have programs on the go out there, but this is certainly a place for people to go and explore, and have
another little free venue amenity in our city.”
The Healing Garden features identification signs beside all the plants and grasses for educational purposes.
The garden also offers a place to encourage pollination to improve the ecosystem. It provides a strong habitat for pollinators that travel through the area.
“The emphasis is more about the pollinators and the importance of pollina-
tors in sustaining our earth,” Garven said. “By cross-pollinating all our plants, trees and our crops, they’re really critical in that eco-environment.”
The Healing Garden was first planted 13 years ago and needed to be re-planted more recently due to some construction in the area.
“It was planted in the fall of 2023, so it’s really hitting its peak of being established and thriving,” Garven said.
Battlefords groups announced for more than $77,000 in LGS grants
By SaskToday staff
BATTLEFORDS–A total of 16 groups in North Battleford and two in Battleford have been approved for a total of $77,010.80 in charitable gaming grants from Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) in a recent announcement.
In total LGS gave $2.49 million in grants in the first quarter, benefitting more than 1,000 groups and organizations in Saskatchewan, according to the province’s release.
The grants are paid to groups that conduct licensed
Numerous groups in the Battlefords received a total of $77,010.80 from LGS charitable grants. | Photo by Money Knack on Unsplash
charitable gaming activities such as bingos, raffles and break-open ticket sales for example.
is calculated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) based on financial reports and other information submitted by the group or organization.
Saskatoon groups received a total of $498,266 and Regina groups a total of $410,280.
The amount of each grant paid by LGS to each charity
Some of the recipients in the Battlefords include the Battlefords North Stars Hockey Club Inc., which received $13,615, and the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation Inc. that was given $55,815.
“Our government is committed to delivering for Saskatchewan communities and one of the ways we do that is through charitable gaming grants,” said Jeremy Harrison, Minister Responsible for LGS. “Proceeds from gaming in Saskatchewan support charitable organizations and activities across the province, including the arts, culture and sport, hospital foundations, service clubs and more.”
One of the bison herd on Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation’s land south of Battleford. | MGBHLM Facebook
Justin Miller is the new manager of the Fred Light Museum.
| Photo by Angela Brown
Leah Garven, the Curator/Manager of Galleries for the City of North Battleford, shown at the Healing Garden. | Photo by Angela Brown
Tipi Teachings – Tanning moosehide the traditional way
By Averil Hall
Freelance Reporter/Photographer
From July 28 – Aug 1, Fred Bill, a Knowledge Keeper from Chitek Lake and Shirleyann Thunderchild, Knowledge Keeper, from Thunderchild First Nation Reserve demonstrated a traditional Cree method of tanning moosehide at the Western Development Museum.
The process begins with soaking the moosehide for a few days. Once soaked,
it is stretched tightly on a wooden frame. A tool called a “flesher” is then used to scrape off the meat. Fred Bill’s flesher was made by his grandfather from an old iron bed frame and passed down from his grandmother. Fred grew up around hide tanning. As a young boy, he helped by hauling water from the slough. “Now a days it is so easy. You just turn on the hose,” he said. After drying in the sun, the next step is to remove the hair using a tool called a “scraper.” In Cree, these
tools have their own names, but Fred uses simplified English terms when teaching.
The next stage is called the “Cardboard Stage.” At this point, the hide is oiled with a softening oil and then soaked again. Traditionally, brain oil from the animal was used. To soften the hide, Fred uses an old wringer-washer from the 1960s to agitate the water, a process that used to be done by hand.
After that, the hide is “fluffed” by scraping it back and forth over a dull
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iron blade mounted to a tree. This step helps to make the entire hide soft. If not done evenly, parts of the hide can become stiff and unusable.
Any holes in the hide are sewn shut before drying. Holes left open will turn black during smoking. Shirleyann and Fred pull the hide tight while it dries and afterwards trim the edges. At this point, the hide is called “rawhide”.
Next is the smoking stage. The hide is folded into a tube shape, and a canvas skirt is attached to
protect it from direct heat.
It is hung over a smoldering fire made with spruce. The fire should not have open flames—only smoke. The smoke turns the hide brown and makes it waterproof.
Care is taken to avoid ash touching the hide.
After smoking, the hide is fluffed one final time to ensure it is soft throughout.
When finished, the hide can be used to make moccasins, hand drums, gloves,
jackets, vests, caps, or rattles. These two hides are being sent to New Mexico for a First Nations market. Shirleyann’s son will deliver them.
Fred Bill’s finished hides are well known and in high demand across North America.
The next Tipi Teachings will be about choke cherry prepping at the Western Development Museum August 12 – 14 from 1pm to 3pm
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Fred Bill shows the stretched out moosehide with the hair side showing on a frame to visitors. | Photos by Averil Hall
Fred Bill shows the other side from the hair side of the moosehide.
Fred Bill’s tools from left to right – flesher, and 3 size scrapers.
Fred Bill wrings the hide that is in the wringer-washer. Fred Bill scrapes the hide against a dull metal bar to soften it.
Shirleyann and Fred pull the hide from both ends to smooth out any kinks and crinkles.
Fred shows the spruce wood in the pot that he uses to smoke the hide.
Fred and Shirleyann demonstrate how the hide is put in tube shape with the canvas attached to the bottom which is hung over a the smoldering smoke.
The finished moosehide after it is smoked.
Sombre stats on rural road fatalities in the province
By Sherri Solomko Freelance Reporter
A July 31 media release by Sask. RCMP said in 2024, the province saw the most fatalities on rural roads in six years.
Last year, Saskatchewan RCMP officers responded to 77 fatal collisions that resulted in 88 deaths.
More people were seriously injured in collisions, too. There were 271 collisions involving serious injuries in 2024, up 43 per cent from the previous year. These collisions resulted in 321 people seriously injured, up 48 per cent from the previous year.
“First off, we want to send our condolences to all the families affected by these tragedies,” says Supt. Grant St. Germaine, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services.
“It’s important when we talk about statistics to remember that there are numerous lives that are changed forever behind each of these collisions.
We all need to do our part to try to prevent every collision we can.”
Sask. RCMP attribute four primary factors in fatal and serious injury collisions in 2024. Impaired driving, distracted driving, dangerous driving, primarily attributed to speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt.
Saskatchewan RCMP statistics show that male
drivers are more likely to be at fault in both serious and fatal collisions. Regardless of gender, the release says that those aged 16-25 are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal and/or serious collision in Sask. RCMP jurisdiction.
More than 60 per cent of collisions happened between noon and midnight, with the majority of these stats showing single-vehicle collisions.
Rising road fatalities are
a growing concern on Saskatchewan roads. In 2025, as of the July 31 media release, there have been 51 fatal collisions and 54 deaths, which represents 13 more lives lost than there were last year at the same time.
An alarming statistic shows that 40 per cent of those deaths were related to someone not wearing their seatbelt.
“It’s unfortunate that I have to keep repeating the
basic driving safety tips. But we continue to see risky driving behaviour contributing to serious collisions,”
Supt. St. Germaine says. “Remember, always obey posted speed limits, never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs, put the phone down and always remember to wear your seatbelt – it may keep you alive.”
Saskatchewan RCMP Crime Statistics and Yearly Trends
Dreams dashed but spirits high for Battlefords Bandits as Softball Canada experience ends
By Sherri Solomko Freelance Reporter
Battlefords Bandits U17 were not able to secure a playoff spot at Softball Canada Championship, but teams that didn’t make qualifying rounds for the championship title still had the opportunity to play for seeding and national placing.
The Bandits knew going into the U17 Softball Canada national competition held in Warman July 28 to Aug. 3
that it was going to be tough slugging with 24 teams all vying for a chance at playoffs and hopefully a Canadian softball medal.
The Battlefords Bandits were able to win their final round robin game against Winnipeg by a score of 2-1. This put them at the bottom of their pool with a 1-4 record, eliminating them from playoff contention. The team and their fans were optimistic when the opening game against Oakville, Ont., was
lost by only one run. However, in the remaining round robin games, the competition was simply too much for the Bandits to overcome, losing to British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, Prince Edward Island and Alberta’s River City, although they chalked up a win versus Winnipeg in the final round robin game.
The team’s roster was made up of players Salzl Rory, Jary Doell, Kendall Weber, Vayda McDonald, Jaind Hegland, Tori Taves, Jazen Sittler, Pay-
ton Russell, Callie McIntosh, Ariyana Metlewsky, Kenzi Hildebrand and Jazmine Dubray-Regnier, Presley Sharp and Shaye Wooley.
While this ends the season for Battlefords Bandits players, there are still several former Battlefords players who joined up with Lakeland Blaze when there were not enough players to form a U19 team from the Battlefords. They will play for a Western Canadian title in Brandon, Man., Aug. 8-10.
Birds vs Beavers in NSRBL showdown for championship title
By Sherri Solomko Freelance Reporter
Pursuing a third straight North Saskatchewan River Baseball League championship, the North Battleford Beavers first outing did not go as planned as the Unity Cardinals, top seed in the league, handed them a game one loss.
Game one of the NSR -
BL final took extra innings to do so, but was also a strong statement at just how dominant both teams are, demonstrated in the league championship final series.
The Cards handed the Beavers their only regular-season losses this season and their young lineup flexed their baseball talent.
Game two took place at Beaver Lions Stadium on July 30 and it was a mustwin game for the home town Beavers, whose goal of forcing a third and deciding was fulfilled with a 5-2 win over the Cards. There will be a short rest for the Beavers as game three takes place Aug. 6 in Wilkie. However, the Cards
will be working overtime as their provincial championship takes place Aug 1-3 in Saskatoon in a seven-team event, while the Beavers don’t begin their provincial quest in Assiniboia until Aug. 8 weekend. Will there be a new league champion or will the Beavers stay sharp, log in their big bats and come up with another title?
This data is being shared as part of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s release of 2024 crime statistics and yearly trends. Please note that these statistics were compiled by analysts from Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services. They are from the RCMP records management system and are accurate as of the day they are collected. Statistics are regularly updated due to changes in reporting procedures, changes
in ongoing investigations, etc. As a result, the statistics above may differ from previous or future published reports. Please note these statistics do not include collisions which occurred on private property, in other Saskatchewan police service jurisdictions, off public road surfaces and those related to medical emergencies. This is consistent with statistics provided to SGI for reporting purposes.
Photo by Ozzie Kirkby on Unsplash
North Battleford athletes part of Team Sask. for Canada Summer Games
By Sherri Solomko Freelance Reporter
Team Saskatchewan’s full contingent of athletes that will proudly represent the province at 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Nfl., and will include 377 athletes competing in 19 different sports, representing 92 communities across the province. Team Sask. will be part of thousands of athletes from across Canada competing at these games North Battleford will be represented by 13 athletes in 10 different sports, along with Kaitlin Harman of Maidstone serving as mission staff. Meadow Lake will be represented by two athletes in men’s baseball and women’s athletics/ track events.
NORTH BATTLEFORD
• Morgan Vaughn, North Battleford – Artistic Swimming
• Nathan Fransoo, North Battleford
– Men’s Basketball
• Liam Oster, Lloydminster –Men’s Athletics (110m Hurdles)
• Jaru Steyl, Lloydminster – Men’s
Rugby Sevens
• Daryl Levitsky, Lloydminster –
Women’s Rugby Sevens
• Heidi Bedwell, Lloydminster –Women’s Rugby Sevens
• Ginger Newstead, Livelong –Women’s Rugby Sevens
• Luke Enstrom, Lloydminster –Men’s Beach Volleyball
• Avi’endha Beaugrand, Wilkie –Women’s Wrestling (80kg)
• Katherine Huxley (Manager), North Battleford – Women’s Soccer
• Rebecca Atkinson (Coach), Lloydminster – Athletics
• Paige Mason (Coach), Lashburn
– Women’s Box Lacrosse
• Kaitlin Harman, Maidstone –Mission Staff
MEADOW LAKE
• Brandt Spencer, Meadow Lake
– Men’s Baseball
• Jessamy Sundby, Big River –Women’s Athletics (Javelin, Shot put)
Team Sask. July 29 media release announced their athletes competing stating, “With strong medal contenders in many disci-
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plines and numerous provincial and national champions in their respective sports found among the team’s ranks, Team Sask. will aim to improve upon its medal count of 32 at the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara, Ont. Approximately 4,500 of Canada’s top amateur athletes from all 13 provinces and territories will compete at the national multi-sport event, which first launched in 1967.”
Team Sask. Chef de Mission Greg Perreaux formally announced Team Sask.’s full contingent to media and addressed the crowd of over 120 athletes, coaches, and representatives from the Government of Saskatchewan, Sask. Sport, and the Saskatchewan Games Council.
“Every one of our teams has put in a tremendous amount of preparation to get ready for their moment on the national stage,” Perreaux said. “These games will be an opportunity to build lifelong memories, meet new friends from across the province and country, and enjoy the incredible experience that only the Canada Games can offer.”
Athletes who compete at the Canada Games represent the country’s next generation of national, international, Olympic, and Paralympic champions. Team Sask. alumni Catriona Le May Doan, Mark McMorris, Emily Clark, Rylan Wiens, Shelby Newkirk and Carissa Norsten, among many others, can all count their previous Canada Games experiences as a stepping stone to the highest levels of sport.
The full list of athletes, coaches, and staff, sorted by sport and home
community, can be found here.
Team Sask. results will be updated daily at TeamSask..ca and can also be found at https://cg2025. gems.pro/. The official 2025 Canada Summer Games website is 2025canadagames.ca.
Team Sask. is also active across social media: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
The Canada Summer Games will run from Aug. 8-25 and will feature 19 different sports, from baseball and cycling to swimming and track and field.
Don’t let the grocery giants fool you: food price inflation is not the farmer’s fault
Submitted by the National Farmers Union
Canadians are upset about higher grocery bills, but most farmer incomes have not kept up with inflation. So what is driving prices up at the grocery stores?
Many organizations and consumers point to corporate greed as the cause. While Canadians have had to spend more for less across a variety of commodities since 2020, inflation in the retail grocery sector continues to be higher than in other sectors.
Retail grocery companies’ revenues increased despite a decrease in the volume of food purchased by Canadians. Canadian retail grocers continue to see higher profit margins compared with pre-pandemic levels. Gro-
cers are able to take advantage of inflationary periods to increase profits because of the market power they have: five grocery chains control 75 per cent of the market. Shoppers have few choices, making it easier for retailers to raise prices without losing customers.
In response to a Parliamentary study on rising grocery prices, the grocery chains’ lobby group, the Retail Council of Canada, claimed that:
“The combined roles of cost spikes for feed, fuel, and fertilizer, compounded by supply chain disruptions, labour shortages and climate events
have been the real drivers of food price inflation and higher costs.”
If that is true, prices paid to farmers should have increased more than the general rate of inflation. Data compiled by the National Farmers Union shows that they have not.
Over the past 30 years the retail price of bread has increased 50 per cent, while Canadian farmers have not seen an equivalent increase in the price of the wheat that they sell at the elevator. The value of farm products have decreased relative to other consumer items. It takes more bushels of wheat to buy a pair of work boots or a house than it did 50 years ago. For example, a top-line,
Continued on page 7
Photo by Sulav Jung Hamal/Pexels
Used vehicle prices climb as EVs drop amid shifting market: AutoTrader
Canada’s used vehicle prices are rising despite seasonal expectations, while new car prices continue to trend downward, according to AutoTrader’s latest Q2 Price Index.
As of June 2025, the average price for a used vehicle in Canada reached $37,664 - a 3.6 per cent increase over the same time last year. Meanwhile, new vehicle prices dropped 3.5 per cent yearover-year to an average of $64,445. With prices for both categories expected to rise in the second half of the year, AutoTrader suggests early purchasing could be a wise move for prospective buyers.
The report also notes a major shift in consumer behaviour since March, which AutoTrader attributes to a “pull-forward” effect. Antici-
secure vehicles earlier than usual.
Although new vehicle inventory remained stable in early 2025, it has since declined by 12 per cent compared to last year. As a result, used vehicle prices have increased for four consecutive months, now surpassing 2024 levels. Inventory for used cars has dropped even further - down 16.8 per cent - while demand continues to
however, are bucking the trend. Prices for both new and used EVs have been falling, following cuts to federal purchase incentives and growing uncertainty around policy. According to AutoTrader, zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales dropped nearly 45 per cent in March and over 28 per cent in April, suggesting a decline in consumer confidence in the segment.
Don’t let the grocery giants fool you:
food price inflation is not the farmer’s fault
Continued from page 6 base model of a pickup truck was equivalent to about 2,000 bushels of wheat in 1976. Today, that truck would cost the farmer 7,000 bushels.
This decline in relative value is apparent among other commodities. The retail price of ground beef has doubled since 1994 while the price farmers receive for cull cows used to make hamburgers has increased by just 40 per cent. While the farmers’ price for steers is increasing, the increase in the retail price of steak continues to outpace growth in farm prices. The farm price of hogs compared to bacon and pork chops shows a similar pattern. For all these commodities, the consumer is paying more while the farmer is receiving
less. More importantly, beef and pork markets are highly volatile—prices for farmers have crashed several times in the last two decades.
However, supply management, which governs the production of dairy, eggs, chicken, and turkey provides more stability and better outcomes for both farmers and consumers.
Retail prices for milk have increased more slowly than other grocery prices. Compared to other products like bread and ground beef, milk prices rose by only 27 per cent over the last 30 years. When you buy milk at the grocery store, 30 per cent of what you pay supports Canadian farmers – the farmers’ share of the consumer’s dairy dollar has remained stable. This is true for eggs and chicken as
CRUISE THE OPEN ROAD...
well, where farmers’ also receive roughly a third of the retail price. For supply managed products, consumer prices have risen slower than for other foods, while the farmer’s share has remained consistent, even though retailers set their own prices after. Farmers have no control over prices after the product has left their farms.
Supply management shows it is possible to provide a fair share to farmers and a fair price for consumers. Under supply management, a formula using data from a survey of actual farmers’ production is used to determine a price that covers production costs, ensuring farmers can stay in business producing the food Canadian consumers need.
WITH SOME HELP FROM THESE PROS
forget to do your routine maintenance before
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finals in St. Albert, Alta.
Maidstone’s Rachel
Aug. 11 in Wilkie. It’s the best-of-three series with game 2 at Silver Lake Aug. 16 and game 3 in Wilkie
Currie, Jade McIntosh and Maja McIntosh played with their Edam Blue Sox U17
from Aug. 4 to 7. They battled hard, going into extra innings in three of their six in
Our Best Summertime Experiences often unfold
CLOSE TO HOME
Love the lake life this August with activity hosted at Battlefords Provincial Park
By Sherri Solomko
Freelance Reporter
August 20, 2022 10:00 am - 5:00 pm more
HISTORY IN MOTION
It’s the last month of summer to get out and enjoy the lake and all other aspects that you can experience at Battlefords Provincial Park.
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
In addition to generous beaches, a vast, refreshing lake that offers fishing and water recreation, the Jackfish Lodge Golf Club includes lakeside views within their 18 holes. There is also a mini golf course closer to the beach that offers some glow in the dark nights. Park enthusiasts love the multiple hiking trails that are part of what this provincial park offers.
Activities include vintage fire truck rides, horse and wagon rides, BATC-CDC children’s activity area, live entertainment, garage sale, demonstrations in the Heritage Farm and Village, tipi teachings from Kanaweyimik Child & Family Services in the tipi village and a vintage vehicle show and shine. The day ends with the CAA Saskatchewan Parade of Power featuring horse teams, gas tractors, vintage cars and steam engines. There will be an on-site concession.
you know that by using a promotion code when reserving your campsite between Aug 5-29, you can receive 15 per cent of any night booked, and the offer includes the Battlefords Provincial Park. Interested campers can find more details on the Battlefords Provincial Park website.
Family $35 Adult $15
Over the August long weekend, there was a Teddy Bear Picnic on the Main Beach that encouraged campers to bring their stuffy friend for bear-themed crafts and activities to learn how to be safe around wildlife.
Seniors/students $13
WDM Members and children under 12 FREE HYW 16 & 40 | 306-445-8033
In addition to camping or a day trip, guests should take note that there are a number of events and activities that may help motivate them to enjoy this magnificent park.
Speaking of camping, did
Also, on the long weekend, the Main Beach held an event called Birds of a Feather where participants could learn about birds in the park and their unique adaptations in a hands-on, activity-filled program.
Aug 8-10 weekend, the nearby resort village of Cochin will be hosting its annu-
July 24th - September 4th, 2022
Reception: August 11th • 5pm - 8pm Artist Talk & Tour at 6:30pm
al Cochin Days. The yearly event has a long and proud history, operating since 1980.
a surprise.
Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. For more information, please call (306) 445-1760, e-mail galleriesofnb@cityofnb.ca, or visit our website at www.chapelgallery.ca
Ever want to learn the emerging sport of disc golf?
If you want to go on a vacation this year without venturing far, consider making your summer holiday a staycation. You can explore new destinations in your own backyard and revisit your favourite nearby places. This type of getaway doesn’t require passports or packing, and it can be just as exciting as vacationing abroad.
There’s no shortage of places in the
restaurants, golf course and
local attractions to explore.
Checking out these places in our neck of the woods is a fun, easy and affordable way to enjoy your time off.
The Chapel Gallery is located at #1 891-99th Street, North Battleford, SK.
The event includes entertainment and fun activities like a sand castle competition, an art show and sale, ball tournament, Saturday pancake breakfast and much more. The highlight of Co chin Days is the boat parade, held on the Saturday of the event, with decorated boats traveling down Lehman Creek onto Jackfish Lake.
We just wanted to remind you that our price match program hasn’t changed and if you find a cheaper price, simply show us and we will STILL match:
On Aug. 9, located at the Main Beach in the Provincial Park, guests were encouraged to discover the secrets of the forest underbrush. Facilitators invited participants to create homes for the fairies, pixies, sprites and gnomes of the forest using natural materials and leave no trace principles. The event enticed participants to check back the next day to see if anyone had visited and left
At the Battlefords Provincial Park guests could come to the main beach between 3 and 4 p.m. on Aug. 9 to learn the basics of disc golf before taking a shot on the park’s
perience at the Battlefords Provincial Park on Aug. 20, ema. Arrive before the show
aged to dress for the weather and bring along blankets and lawn chairs to watch Despi cable Me 4, under the stars. The event is free with a valid park entry permit.
You can follow the complete Provincial Park activity list on the website https:// saskparks.tourismsaskatchewan.com/the-battlefords/ events
Curated by Heather Benning
Charley Farrero A Certain Detour
Poundmaker Performance Festival has an international flair
Submitted
Every year since 2018, Miyawata Culture, Sarasa Performance Lab and the Poundmaker Museum has hosted the Poundmaker Performance Festival on the shores of Poundmaker Lake and at the Poundmaker Museum.
Local and international performers present at the Sarasa Culture space, a unique venue built on Indigenous architectural principles. The organizers frame their festival as an experiment in language, performance and ceremony within an Indigenous community, in Indigenous spaces and venues.
Indigenous performance is viewed as an artistic genre open to all people and which transcends current colonial identity categories.
“Performance defined by colonial identity categories limits the growth of Indigenous performance,” states the director of the festival,
Poundmaker band member Floyd Favel, who along with Polish Odissi dancer Dr. Sabina Sweta Sen Podstawska, has worked together to create one of the more unique festivals in the Indigenous world.
This year the festival hosted Maori dancer Charles Koroneho and Syilx performer Mariel Belanger as resident artists who took part in the creation of the performance Sweet Cherry Wine, written by Floyd Favel.
Other invited artists were; Janelle Pewapsconias, Dale Mac, Victoria Wanihadie, Jeanette Kotowich, Kalli Van Stone, Alexandra Nordstrom, Miguel Fenrich and Cheyenna Sapp.
The festival also included the annual Plains Indian Sign Language (PISL) workshop, where participants came from across the country. PISL is an ancient language system that offers a way of teaching Indigenous languages using Indigenous systems.
“Universities, which are
Maidstone and District News
Waseca Hall packed for Vic Hult’s 80th birthday party
|
By Kathy Utri Correspondent
Victor Hult’s 80th birthday party on July 26 was a marvellous event. Over 200 people filled Waseca Community Hall to celebrate with Vic and Bev and to honour him. Elizabeth and Britten presided over the guest book and handed out souvenir coffee mugs to all the guests. Refreshments, visiting and an entertaining talent show competition filled the afternoon, with singers, dancers and guitarists vying for a money prize. Congratulations to first prize winner Amanda Boychuk and her Ukrainian dancers. Second prize went to Blair Donald for her dance. The Yellowhead Ramblers then took over, playing for a few hours. After supper, Vic
colonial institutions, have taken over Indigenous language learning, whereas PISL puts language learning back into the hands of the community, and its measurable results far exceeds existing Indigenous language learning methods. It is all a
process of decolonization” offers Floyd Favel.
Each year PISL expert Dr. Lanny Real Bird from the Crow Nation of Montana, is invited to teach. Real Bird is one of the very few PISL language experts in North America.
Time capsule opening reveals 25-year-old artifacts
and Bev’s daughter, Crystal Hult, joined the Ramblers to sing a variety of tunes, starting with “Oh Lord, It’s Hard to be Humble,” a tribute to her dad. Supper was by Vic’s design, a delicious farmer’s meal consisting of roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, baked beans, buns and pickles, followed by dessert of an 80th birthday cake and assorted sweets. Guests who came from a distance included Vic’s brother, Vern Hult of Calgary; sister, Karen Hult and Wayne Schimelfenig of Battleford; and sister-in-law, Carole Hult of Sherwood Park, Alta. Vic and Bev would like to thank everyone who attended and all who helped to make the occasion so memorable.
Thanks to Wendy Leipert Continued on page 18
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By Lorraine Olinyk Correspondent
In 2000, the Borden Museum Board gathered several articles, newspapers, letters, posters, and other items, which were placed in a metal time capsule and buried in a previously dug hole, covered with a metal plate, and bolted down. This time capsule was to be dug up in 2025, so on July 30, president Karen Kerr welcomed the 65 and more present and told the history of the time capsule, thanked the Little Sprouts Daycare Centre for cooking the wieners. Mayor Jamie Brandrick thanked the Borden Museum board for keeping the history of Borden alive for everyone to enjoy.
The present board opened
the time capsule and the contents were taken out and are on display in the museum. Doing the honours of opening and pulling out items were board members Ruben Rempel and Ed Neufeld, with Karen Kerr and Heather Penner looking on. A bit of condensation had got into the capsule, so they had to carefully pull the papers apart before they dried and stuck together.
The contents of the capsule were spread out on display cases in the schoolhouse and after drying, they will be put on permanent display. Following the ceremony, board members Eleanor Walton and Martha Rempel handed out free hot dogs and bags of chips or Cheezies. There was a beverage table with lemonade
and water and an ice cream bar set up over by the Masonic Lodge for everyone to make up their own ice cream sundae. Those on hand for the ceremony and free meal then toured the museum. In about a month, artifacts will be gathered up by the board and then put in the capsule and buried for another 25 years to be opened in 2050.
The Borden Farmers Market is still active every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with lunch available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 50/50 draws have been won by Karen Kerr on Aug 1, L. Olinyk on July 25 and Peter Barkman July 18.
On Aug. 15, the market will have the hot dogs and pie, then from 10 a.m. to noon, you can go over to the Little Sprouts Daycare Centre and enjoy Treats on the Street
and tour the facility. Radisson Fair is Aug. 9 and 10, with a parade at 11 a.m. Aug. 9, slo-pitch tournament Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m., gymkhana events at 12:30 p.m., music jamboree 1to 4 p.m., mini tractor pull at 4 p.m., bouncy castle 1 to 4 p.m., a petting zoo both days and supper from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a dance at 9:30 p.m. Exhibits are on display from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Sunday, there is a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m., vintage tractor pull at noon, face painting from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Beeper the Clown from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., music jamboree from 1 to 4 p.m. and jugglers from 2 to 4 p.m. The ball tourney goes until late afternoon.
Vic Hult celebrated his 80th birthday with over 200 family members and friends in Waseca on July 26.
Photo courtesy Kathy Utri
Borden and District News
Some of the artifacts inside the capsule from 25 years ago.
Borden Museum board members Karen Kerr, Heather Penner, Ruben Rempel and Ed Neufeld open a time capsule sealed in 2000.
Photos by Lorraine Olinyk
Scenes from the Poundmaker Performance Festival on the shores of Poundmaker Lake and at the Poundmaker Museum. | Photos courtesy Poundmaker Performance Festival
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(To my little boy)
Stopby ValleyFord (NorthBattleford) andwishhimthebestinhis newadventure.
LiKingRestaurant
August16,1927 -August8,2020
-Fiveyears-
"Yearshave passed,andnowyourpresenceisdifficulttofind. Butthememoriesofourtimetogetherarestillfreshinmymind. Fiveyearsis alongtime,butstill, Icannothelpmyselftorewind. Itishardtobelievethatit'sbeenfiveyearssinceGidopassed."
Timemovesfast,butmemoriesofhimstayclear. Visitingthefarm,UkrainianChristmases,familyreunions, andcelebrationsatgraduations -Gido wasalwaysthere. Eventhough Ididn'tseehimallthetime, Ialwaysfelthislove andsupport. Fiveyearslater, Istilldo. Miss you,Gido. randdaughterKatie,Stella,Ray na,Gerald,Audrey,Marty &fam
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return of Christ. June was born on October 2, 1927 in Hamilton, Ontario. At 7 years old she moved to Toronto with her parents. She had one sister, Phyllis. June grew up and attended school in Toronto. She enjoyed spending time at the family cottage in Norland, Ontario. Upon graduating high school, she worked for Ontario Hydro. June attended the Toronto Berean Christadelphian Ecclesia and Sunday School in Toronto and was baptized when she was 16 years old. She married Arthur Jones on March 20, 1948 and moved with him to the farm near Richard, Saskatchewan where they raised their family. Along with her husband, she worked incredibly hard, baking mouth watering bread, buns and deserts, and grew large, beautiful gardens to provide wonderful meals for her family and many others. She sewed and mended clothes, melted snow in winter for water, stoked the home fires every morning to warm our house and made the house a home. She truly was a pioneer woman. Evenings she sat with the family to read from the Bible and often to sing hymns around the organ. She had a wonderful singing voice and used it in praise to the Lord. June and Arthur relocated to live in Edmonton and after his passing, she moved to Sherwood Park for her later years. She was a member of the Richard Berean Christadelphian Ecclesia the then Edmonton Ecclesia until her death. Her entire life was based on the Word of God which she read daily. From that came her decision to be baptized and to dedicate her life in hope of the resurrection at the return of Jesus Christ to establish his kingdom on earth as promised in scripture. June was predeceased by her beloved husband Arthur Jones, daughter Phyllis Phillips and son-in-law Harry Phillips, her parents, Sidney and Florence Curry and her sister Phyllis MacKinnon. Left to cherish her memory are her children Annetta Jones, Kathy (Jim) Sommerville, Shirley (Doug) Luard, Sidney (Christine) Jones, Gwen (Steve) Armstrong, 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and one more on the way. A graveside service was held Thursday, July 31, 2025.
1332-100thSt., NorthBattleford (306)446-4200 24hours
TrevorandAdria Watts -Owners FuneralDirectors -VanessaMacnab TimScaife ApprenticeFuneralDirectors LarissaWack •TessaBell
Owners: TrevorandAdriaWatts FuneralDirectors: TimScaife •TessaBell ApprenticeFuneralDirectors: Larissa Wack AlyssaKozinski •CristiTilbert
Motor scrapers, dozers, excavators, rock trucks, packers; wide range of machines. Lots of work all season. Camp/R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d. Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca
and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association's Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.
Love G Donn ymond, milies
JONES: Eileen June (Curry) Jones entered into her rest on Friday, July 25, 2025 at the age of 97 years. The family is comforted that she passed away peacefully and is now awaiting her resurrection at the
Former residents celebrate 65th wedding anniversary
By Elaine Woloshyn Correspondent
The crops are quickly ripening, although July wasn’t overly hot and many evenings were cooler. Have you noticed due to not much rainfall, the yellow leaves are gracefully falling to the ground and this is their resting place? August represents a symbol of many things to different people. I wish this month had an extra 10 days added onto it. Rushing to get the fresh veggies from the garden, amongst picking many wild fruits that need to be harvested. Knowing that the cabin and camping days will end shortly, but mostly retired individuals cherish being in campgrounds when there isn’t an abundance of noise once Aug. 31 rolls around. Why is it that the warmer months fly by too quickly and all we have left are treasured memories?
It was a super day of celebration for the Pelletier farm site near Mayfair in July. Congratulations to Jean and Rollie Pelletier on their 65th wedding anniversary, with 32 family members making this a special day. Seven years ago, they retired in a beautiful 55+ retirement condo in Saskatoon. She was the organist for All Saints Catholic Church in Mayfair for decades and Rollie was on different committees for the church and diocese. One of their daughters, Nicole and her family, also reside in the city and are a great help to this eloquent aging couple. My friends Leanne Cherwinski, Faye Liebaert and I had a lovely afternoon visit with them last week in their condo. They are still very interested in Mayfair community and like to stay in touch with everyone. On July 10 and 11, close to 100 family members gathered at Diamond Hills Resort & Adventure Park northeast of North Battleford to celebrate the sixth family reunion of the Louis and Nellie Ewanchuk family. Louis and Nellie raised their 10 children, Joe, Pete, Paul, Antona (Kindrachuk), Kayla (Alexiuk), Carrie (Smishek), Blanche (Williams), Walter, Rosie (Kowalchuk) and Mary (Berggren), on a farm three miles west of Whitkow. 2025 marks the 110th anniversary of their homestead. Walter(deceased) and
wife Stella resided there for many decades and their son Gerald and Francis are the present owners.
Many reunions for this family have taken place over the years. In 1991, 1996 and 2001 on the original homestead and 2009 at Blue Mountain (now renamed Diamond Hills Resort). In 2015, the reunion was held at the farm to celebrate the 100th anniversary (1915-2015) of the original home place.
Families arrived from every province, from British Columbia to Ontario. Activities included zip lining, family Olympics, Kaiser, bidding on silent auction items, visiting and reminiscing. Many delicious meals and sitting around the campfire were a “must.”
Audrey from Lloydminster, Stella Ewanchuk’s daughter, was the main organizer of this big undertaking. She thanked everyone for making the effort to attend this important event. Audrey says, “This is the third reunion we’ve had at this resort and I can’t think of a better location to host it.” She thanked the staff at Diamond Hills — Leanna, Ryan and Dimitri — for all of their help and for being flexible to make this another successful event. Audrey ended her speech by saying, “Family is not an important
thing; it is everything.”
The reunion ended with a visit to the homestead and a much longer stop at Glasslake cemetery (northeast of Whitkow) to lay flowers on loved ones’ graves. They shared favourite memories of each of the 10 children of Nellie and Louis Ewanchuk. The families then moved to the Agri Villa in North Battleford, where they joined many others for the 2025 extra-large Ewanchuk reunion. Great memories were made on that wonderful July weekend.
Jessica Fournier of Mayfair graduated from Hafford Central School this past June. She is the daughter of Heather and Richard and plans on furthering her education at the University of Saskatchewan. Congratulations, Jessica.
A few days of cooler temperatures are always a welcome sight on the prairies, as the long weekend didn’t disappoint campers. The fire ban was enforced again due to the northern fires.
As one drives past many farm yards, one will see the combines are getting tuned up and repaired for a busy upcoming harvest. Everyone is hoping for at least a fair to average crop in our area, but a nasty hailstorm could change things in the “wink of an eye.”
VillageofMeota EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITY
CHIEFADMINISTRATIVEOFFICER
TheVillageofMeotaiscurrentlyacceptingapplications for thepositionof ChiefAdministrativeOfficer TheCAOis responsible for alloperationsof theVillageofMeotainaccordancewiththepoliciesandbylawsestablished byCouncil & TheMunicipal i tiesAct .A Standar d Ce rtificate fr omthe LocalGovernmentAdministrationcourseispreferred,not required,however thewillingnesstocompletetheLocalGovernmentAdministrationCertificate isamust.
Thesuccessfulcandidateispreferredtopossessthefollowingqualifications: - Proficienc y inmunicipalaccounting , municipa l laws,human re sources, payroll,assetmanagement; - Experiencewith MuniSoftSoftware,computerskillsand websitemanagement; -Theabilitytoworkindependentlyandasateam; - Excellentcommunication,organizational,management and human relations skills;
-Abilitytoeffectivelyhandlecorrespondence,bothwrittenandverbally; -Discretionwithmatterspertainingtoconfidentiality; -Abilitytoorganizeandprioritizework,andmeetdeadlineswhilemaintaining ahighdegreeofaccuracy;and
-Abilitytointerpretpolicies,bylaws,andlegislationappropriately; TheVillageoffers a fullbenefitpackageth roug h SUMA andanexcellent pensionpackagethroughMEPP.
Pleasesubmitcove r letter,d etailed re sum e including re fer encesan d salaryexpectationsbyemailto:vmeota@sasktel.net,orbymailtoBox123, Meota,SKS0M1X0onorbeforeAugust22,2025.Onlythoseconsidered foraninterviewwillbecontacted
TOWNOF BATTLEFORD
RequestforProposal
The TownofBattlefordisseekingproposalsfrom individualsorgroupstoleaseandoperatethe canteenattheBattlefordArenaforthe2025/2026 season(approximatelySeptember15th,2025,to March31st,2026).
Completeproposalpackagewithdetailsofthelease agreementandrequirementsareavailableatthe Parks/Recreationoffice,AlexDillaboughCenter (southside),432–27th Street,Battleford(Office hoursare7:30am–4:00pm,excludinglunch hour)oremail parks@battleford.ca. Information canalsobefoundonthe Townswebsiteat: www.battleford.ca/p/battleford-arena Interestedpartiesareaskedtosubmitbidforms totheParksandRecreationOfficeby4:00pm, August15th,2026.
Former Mayfair residents Rollie and Jean Pelletier recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. | Photo by Elaine Woloshyn
Back row–Mike and Brittany Ciona of Saskatoon. Front row–Gerald Ewanchuk; Great Baba Stella Ewanchuk holding newborn Lucas and Francis (Gerald’s) wife. | Photo submitted
The Louis and Nellie Ewanchuk family reunion at Diamond Hills Resort, northeast of North Battleford, in July. | Photo submitted
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P.O.Box1000
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Phone:306-445-6226
PolicyMatters:How to Grow Canada’s AgricultureandAgri-FoodIndustry -CanadianChamberofCommerce
Canada’s agricultureandagri-foodsector,whichspansfarms,nurseries,andgreenhouses,aswellasfoodandbeverage processors,foodretailers andwholesalers,and foodserviceproviders,supplied1 in 9jobsinCanada, generatedaround7%of Canada’s GDP, andexportednearly$100billionworthof goodsin2023.Thesenumbers provethattheagandagri-foodsector is acornerstoneofCanada’s economyand enormouslyimportanttoCanadianprosperity. Andithas even more to offer However, theagandagri-foodsectoriscurrentlycaughtina stormofuncertainty.Geopoliticalturbulencehasdisrupted farmers’andproducers’access to someofourmostvitalmarketsandisthreateningthe competitivenessofthissector. And thisisanadditiontoother long-standingchallenges that areholdingthesectorbackfromreachingitsfullpotential,like outdated regulationsandtradeinfrastructure limitations.
GrowingtheSector
Canadaisoneofthe fewnet exportersofagandagri-foodproducts.Thatmakes ourpork, canola,seafood,lentils andallotherproductsnotonlyvitaltoCanada’seconomicand foodsecurity,but to that ofourglobalpartnerstoo. So,thequestionis:Howcantheprivate andpublicsectorsworktogethertoensurethiseconomicsuperpower notonlymakes itthroughthisgeopoliticalshakeupbutbecomesstrongerandbigger than ever?
OurRecommendations to Government
a)SupportCanadian farmers,producersandindustryduringgeopoliticalturbulence Therapidlyincreasingglobaldemand forfoodiscreating agenerationalopportunity forCanadatoemergeasan agriculturepowerhouse. Unfortunately, ouragri-foodindustry isin atrade warontwo fronts —there is stillthe blanket25% U.S. tariff(withUSCMAexemption)onCanadianimports,andinMarch,Chinaput100% tariffs onCanadian exportsofcanolaoil, canolamealandpeas,and25%dutiesonpork,fishandseafoodproducts.Theagandagri-foodsector cannotsustainthisfight withoutconcerted government support.
Recommendations:
• ProvidefinancialsupporttoCanadianfarmers,producersandindustrywhoareaffected by lossofaccess to the Chinesemarketand work towardsquick resolutionsofongoingtradedisputes.Supportsshouldbeprovidedoutside thetraditionalbusinessriskmanagementprograms.
• Workwithpartners forthe removalofnon-tarifftradebarriersthatare notscience-based andunfairlydiscriminate againstCanadianproducers andindustry.
• Encourageincreased investment indomesticprocessingandmanufacturing to increaseourvalue-addedproduction andexports,includingopportunitiesinthedomesticbiofuelsindustry.
b)HelpCanadian farmersandproducersexpandintonew markets
Maintaininganddeepeningour commercialrelationshipswithemergingmarketsisvitaltotheagandagri-foodsector ’s success.Canadashould focusonregionsthat offer themostuntappedpotential,liketheAssociationofSoutheastAsian Nations.Thesenations’citizensincreasingly want thekindofhigh-quality, high-protein foodthat Canadaproduces
Recommendations:
• Prioritizethe conclusionof afreetradeagreementwithvitalgrowthmarkets,whiledefendingtheinterestsof Canada’s domesticproducers andindustry.
• Betterleverageexistingtradeagreementsbyprovidingadditionalresourcestonavigateunfamiliarmarketsand mitigaterisks
• Provideadditionalfunding forindustry-specificmarketmaintenanceanddiversificationprogramssuchas AgriMarketing.
c)Committopredictableandscience-based regulation
Innovationsinplantscienceandcropprotection candrive significant productivitygainswhile reducingwaste and environmentalimpact.Buttoooften producersare delayedordeniedaccess to theseinnovationsbecauseofpolitical pressure andunfounded claimsaboutsafety— even when theseproductsare availableinpeer countries.Ouragri-foodsector isalreadyoneofthemostsustainableintheworld,whichmeanswecan affordtoreducered-tapewithoutaddingrisk to the environmentorhumanhealth.Overregulation canworsenfoodsecurity–ariskthatmustalsobeconsideredbyregulators.
Recommendations:
• Ensure that regulations consider thesector’scompetitivenessas wellasCanada’s foodsecurity.
• Ensure that alldepartmentsaremandatedtoconsiderany researchand/or evidencethat meetstransparent and objective criteria,regardlessofthefundingsource.
• Ensure that themandatesofthe Pest Management Regulatory Agency(PMRA)andtheCanadian FoodInspection Agency(CFIA) reflectscience-baseddecision-makingandtimelyservicestandards.
d)Expand existingtransportationinfrastructurecapacity MuchofCanada’s agandagri-foodsectorisinlandlockedregionswithproductstransportedbyroadorrailtoports forexport overseas.Regularbottlenecks inourtransportationinfrastructure,whether fromlabourdisruptions,extreme weatherevents, or geopoliticaldisruptionshavehinderedthegrowthofCanadianagri-food exports. To increaseourexports,wemustincrease thecapacityofourtransportationinfrastructure. Thefederal government ’s $5billionTradeDiversificationCorridorFundisan importantstartbutit ’s notnearlyenoughconsideringourannual$21billiontransportationinvestment alreadyhasustrailing ourpeers.
Recommendations:
• Committoa long-termtransportationinfrastructure strategy,liketheCanada TradeInfrastructurePlan,andinvestin ports, rail,inland terminals, roads,airportsandhighways.
e)Encouragetechnologicaladoption Technologicalinnovationisdrivingsignificant productivitygainsinCanadianagandagri-foodproduction,whilealsomitigating environmentalimpacts.Bycollectingandanalyzing vast quantities ofdata —sometimesusingartificialintelligence— agricultural tech(agtech)ishelpingproducers make betterdecisions to maximize yieldsandbemoreefficient intheiruseof inputsand resources,likewater andenergy.
Recommendations:
• Continue to expandruralaccess to high-speed internet throughtheUniversalBroadbandFund, ensuringthat all Canadian farmerscanleverage newtechnologies to boostproductivity.
• Ensure producers, farmers,andthebroaderagri-food valuechainareincludedinthe government ’s efforts to boost AIadoption.
• Make digitalagriculture anationalpriorityandestablish a10-yeardigitalactionplan fortheCanadianagand agri-foodsector.
• Implementa comprehensivenationaldata strategy to make it easier foragtechtoolstointegrate withthebroader digitaleconomy
Theagandagri-foodsectoris acritical componentofCanada’seconomicand foodsecurity.Helpingitgrow andthriveisin oureconomicbestinterest,inCanadians’best interest,andinourtradepartners’bestinteresttoo.
Purchase your BattlefordsSouvenirshere!
Battlefords &DistrictChamber ofCommerce have introduced alineoflocal “TheBattlefords” souveniritems,including tee-shirts,bunny hugs,travel mugs,coloringbooks,andsoon to arrive,hats.Checkitout!JunctionofHighways 16 &40East. NorthBattleford
The31stBBEXnominationsandapplications processisnow complete for2025. By Labour Day, theofficiallistoffinalists forthisyears’ awardswillbemadepublic.Watch forthat. TheBBEXAwardsceremonyisThursday, November 6th,2025.
Waseca Hall packed for Vic Hult’s 80th birthday party
Continued from page 10 and her crew for running the bar, DD Chris Scramstad (although no rides were needed), Waseca Hall Board and AG Foods for preparing the food, Yellowhead Ramblers and Ron Hult, who capably handled the MC duties for his father’s special celebration.
Maidstone Health Care
Auxiliary will be sponsoring an online baking auction. Bidding will start on Monday, Aug. 25 and end on Wednesday, Sept. 3. If you would like to donate any home baking, garden
produce, meals in the field, etc., please contact Gil at 306-893-2368 or Maureen at 306-893-7903. All proceeds go towards reaching our goal to purchase a blood analyzer for the lab and for patient comfort items. More information will follow soon. Thank you in advance. Following are last week’s averages for Maidstone Disc Golf (Week 10). Tier 1: Matt Sayers -7.44, Chase James -7; Tier 2: Kerigan White +2, Morgan Thomarat +2; Tier 3: Alex Pompu +13.13, Tiffany Smith +14. Matt Sayers had the best score at 10 under par.
Draw winners were Lia Jang and Skye Preston. The Ace Pot was unclaimed at $204. Doug and I headed out to Silver Lake Farmers Market last Saturday. A good crowd had already been there in the first half hour, but I snagged Kara’s fresh buns, carrots and red onions while Doug was happy to grab one of his favourites: puffed wheat cake. The temperature was well on its way to the forecast of 33 C, so I only spent an hour in my own garden after getting home. I sure hope the vendors managed to stay cool to the end. Check
it out on Saturdays in the ball shelter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Maidstone Museum is looking for some items for a new display: red gingham curtains (short) or red checked material to make curtains; vintage cake pedestal with glass cover; fake food items that look realistic–fried egg, bacon strips, bread, doughnuts, etc. If you can donate or loan us any of the above items, we would be grateful.
Making Waves Salon’s 2nd Annual Student Fresh Start invites Maidstone and surrounding area to donate
school supplies for students. Linda will donate free haircuts for students on Thursday, Aug. 30, first-come first first-served. The students will choose the school supplies they need from those that have been donated. This event will end on Aug. 30.
Summer Flow Gentle Yoga continues for August on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. with instructor Roxanne Valliere. Bring a yoga mat, water bottle, any props needed for your comfort and $20 drop-in fee.
Reminders: Register your kids for
VBS “Wonder Junction” by contacting Melanie Pompu on Facebook Messenger. Date: Aug. 18 to 21 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Maidstone Museum meeting Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. in the outdoor kitchen area. Anyone interested in joining our board or volunteering for any committees is welcome to attend. If you have any Maidstone and area news or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me on Facebook Messenger, call or text my cell 306-893-7378 or call me at home 306-893-2799.
902 -108thStreet,NorthBattleford DivineLiturgy:Sundaysat10:00a.m. Pastor:Rev.LeonidMalkov Office:1-306-343-6516
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