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Jill Ruep, a Métis entrepreneur and the creator of what she describes as North America’s first Indigenous-led beading app, recently won the rural pitch contest at the Innovation Conference for Economic Development (ICED) in Estevan.

Her company, Ma Fii Lii Rasaad—Michif for My Daughter’s Beads—was selected by a panel of five judges from Western Canada and awarded $13,000 in combined funding and support, including a $10,000 investment and $3,000 in assistance from McKercher LLP.

Jill developed the app to address the loss of traditional knowledge in today’s digital world. Beading carries stories, teachings, and identity, yet many online resources lack the cultural grounding needed—especially for young people who don’t have access to elders. Because existing beading apps are not Indigenous-led, she set out to create a platform that reflects Indigenous values and ways of learning.

Her app blends technology with cultural teachings by allowing users to design beadwork patterns while also engaging with Indigenous knowledge and stories. Ruep emphasizes that this approach offers a modern yet culturally respectful learning experience. She describes the app as both a creative design space and a cultural learning hub that is accessible to youth, educators, and communities.

A prototype—built in partnership with Southeast College computer science students—already includes custom pattern tools, accessibility features, and cultural content. The app is currently ready for further testing and community feedback.

Beyond the digital platform, Ruep’s beading kits have resonated widely: she has sold over 1,000 kits, generating strong revenue in just five months. Her kits are available for individual purchase and bulk orders, with universities and organizations already placing large requests. This demand reflects the growing interest in culturally grounded learning tools.

In addition to her digital innovation, Ruep hosts in-person beading workshops that integrate traditional teachings and storytelling. These workshops have been held at venues such as the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum, Southeast College, Dakota Dunes Resort, and many other communities. Her workshops provide hands-on learning and cultural connection, making them popular among educators, students, and community groups.

Importantly, Ruep received an arts grant from SK Arts, which played a key role in helping her launch the business and develop the app. This support, combined with her recent pitch contest win, is fueling the next stage of growth.

The new funding will allow Ruep to hire a student developer for nearly a full academic term. With additional grants, she hopes to support six to nine months of development time, bring on Indigenous content creators, and collaborate further with Southeast College.

Her long-term goals include inviting Indigenous storytellers and artists to enrich the app’s cultural material, launching it as an educational tool, and eventually opening a studio in Estevan.

The Redvers & District Recreation Centre is the heart of the community, and its ice surface is essential for the upcoming season. So, when the ice plant motor failed late in September, Recreation Director Nadine Pryde knew they were facing a crisis. What followed was a display of collective effort, local initiative, and community spirit that got the rink back up and chilling in just over 24 hours.

The morning started like any other, until a key piece of equipment went down, and Nadine knew immediately that something was seriously wrong.

“On that particular Friday morning, the ice plant made a ‘weird or different’ sound on its automatic shutdown, so I went to investigate,” Nadine explains. “There was no power to the control panel… I then called our chairperson, who suggested calling our local electrician and a retired electrician. They both showed up almost immediately, worked together and found the problem, a burnt motor.”

With the ice already in and nearly ready for painting, the outdoor temperature of 20 degrees meant every minute counted to save the surface.

Getting a replacement motor was step one—but installing it was going to be a challenge. The old motor weighed 950 lbs, and it had to be lifted out and replaced with the new one. This is where the community network truly shone.

“My phone did not stop ringing, and looking back on it now, I am thankful for that, because this person called that person, and so on until we had the right equipment,” says Nadine. “More phone calls later, we had the new motor ordered.”

From picking up the new motor to providing specialized equipment and expertise, the chain of volunteers never broke. The Recreation Centre was down from 10:30 a.m. Friday until about 4:00 p.m. Saturday, a remarkably short time considering the complexity of the repair. “It took the guys doing the motor several hours to get it running, but they did it in enough time to save the ice,” Nadine emphasizes.

“I say all the time that a ‘Thank You’ doesn’t seem enough, but the people of our community are always willing to lend a helping hand,” she shares. “Redvers is the place where I grew up, and I have chosen Redvers to raise my family in. I’ve only been in this position for three (3) years. I knew I was filling big shoes taking this job, but thanks to the community, they have made it possible, and we can do the best for the Rec Centre.”

Ultimately, the successful repair wasn’t just about technical know-how; it was a testament to Redvers’ spirit.

“It takes a community to run a centre like ours and a COMMUNITY Redvers has!”

As we look ahead with excitement to the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games, we’re taking time to celebrate the incredible coaches who make these Games such a meaningful experience for young athletes across the province. We would like to celebrate Ryan Fowler, who served as the head coach of the weightlifting team at the 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games in Regina. Ryan, a dedicated coach from Weyburn, has spent decades helping athletes grow in strength and confidence — both on the provincial stage and at the highest levels of international powerlifting.

Ryan’s journey began in 1996, after his Grade 9 football season. “Jeff Butt had just moved to Moose Jaw from Newfoundland and was a powerlifter working at the YMCA. I started training with him and have been involved in some level of powerlifting ever since,” Ryan recalls.

Ryan has been coaching for 22 years, including work with Team Canada since 2008, from local competitions all the way up to the World Games, known as the Olympics of Powerlifting.

When asked about his proudest moment as a coach, Ryan says it’s hard to choose, “every athlete and championship brings different moments to remember.” But one recent highlight stands out: “Coaching at The World Games in Chengdu, China, where Canada brought home two gold medals and many memories.”

Still, for Ryan, it’s not just about winning. “The thing I love most about coaching is the relationship and community you build with athletes. The ability to have a positive influence, not only in sport but in life as well, is something that I do not take for granted and appreciate with every athlete I have ever had the privilege to coach.”

His passion for supporting athletes extends to events like the Saskatchewan Winter Games, where he’s seen firsthand how impactful these experiences can be for young competitors.

“The Saskatchewan Winter Games is a great opportunity for athletes and coaches to build connections and support athlete development. It provides exposure for athletes to a high-level competition in a fun atmosphere while continuing to build sport and the benefits of sport through a variety of sports.”

Ryan’s message for other coaches or athletes who might be thinking about getting involved:

“I highly recommend it. Get involved, try out for teams, or volunteer to coach. The experience, connections, and relationships you build are well worth the time and energy invested.”

Whether you’re an athlete ready to compete or a coach eager to make an impact, now’s your chance to get involved. Athlete tryout information can be found at saskgames.ca/winter/get-involved/athletes, and coach/manager application details are available at saskgames.ca/winter/get-involved/coaches-and-managers. Join the team, build connections, and help shape the future of sport in Saskatchewan.

Nestled in the natural beauty of Woodlawn Regional Park, Fresh Air Fitness is a free outdoor fitness space that offers something for everyone.

Peggy Rohatyn and Debby Knight have helped guide the vision from concept to reality. When they approached Woodlawn Regional Park with their vision for utilizing the park property, Woodlawn Park board members immediately jumped on board.

The initiative was sparked by a fundraising event called the “Coal Country Run”, and over several years, with help from local businesses, residents, and organizations, the project has flourished.

Today, Fresh Air Fitness continues to expand with new amenities, including The Pit (a sand-based obstacle and strength area), The Shred Shed for weight training, a rehabilitation zone with accessible equipment, a yoga platform, a meditation space, walking and running trails, a newly added pickleball court, and a disc golf course.

“The amount of financial, emotional, and physical labor support we receive is astounding,” Debby shared. “It feels to us that the facility is so appreciated that the users actually police it for us.”

Despite being an outdoor space in Saskatchewan — with all the weather-related challenges that implies — Fresh Air Fitness has thrived. “Mother Nature does provide some issues with equipment wear,” Debby admitted, “but overall, the place is very well respected by the community.”

Two of the newest features have already become community favorites. A pickleball court was added thanks to a generous $25,000 donation from Tundra Oil & Gas and Kingston Midstream. “We saw the growing interest in this fast-growing sport and wanted to give people another option,” Debby explained.

Even more unique is the Disc Golf Course, an idea that came from Debby’s grandsons. “They’ve been playing for years and told me it’s very popular with younger people,” she said. The course is already listed on the U-Disc app, allowing players from around the world to find and explore it. “There’s been tremendous interest — even during construction, people were already out playing.”

“We see all kinds, ages, abilities, and demographics,” said Debby. From seniors using the rehab equipment, to athletes training with their teams, to families working out together — the space brings people together. “Nothing makes our hearts more happy.”

Huge kudos to Debby Knight, Peggy Rohatyn, and all the amazing volunteers and supporters who brought Fresh Air Fitness to life. Thanks to their passion and community spirit, Estevan now has an outdoor space that’s fun, free, and built for everyone. Next time you’re in town, swing by Woodlawn Regional Park and check it out!

In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Ralph Allen Memorial Museum in Oxbow, hosted a collaborative mural project, led by Cree artist Emilee Steffensen—an artist with personal ties to both White Bear First Nations and the Oxbow community.

The mural was more than just paint on walls. It was a statement of shared history, reconciliation, and collective creativity. The museum transformed a space into a canvas for connection. The mural is inspired by the Seven Grandfather Teachings, a set of ethical principles from Anishinaabe tradition. These teachings—Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, Wisdom, and Truth—guide individuals in living a good and balanced life.

“One of the most significant successes of this program was the strong turnout and enthusiastic participation from a diverse cross-section of our community,” says Treena Mohrbutter, Community Development Officer. Approximately 72 people participated in the event—families, elders, youth, residents of Oxbow, and members of White Bear First Nations all came together to co-create something lasting.

“We met and even slightly exceeded our anticipated numbers. The hands-on painting experience allowed everyone—regardless of age or artistic ability—to contribute meaningfully to a lasting piece of public art,” Treena explains. “This collective ownership helped break down barriers and build relationships across cultural lines.”

The mural painting wasn’t just about art—it was a platform for learning, storytelling, and connection. Many families spoke about the rare and meaningful opportunity to share space and creativity with people from different backgrounds, while gaining a deeper understanding of the significance of the day.

The mural, now complete, stands as a permanent and highly visible reminder of the town’s shared commitment to reconciliation, cultural celebration, and community pride. “It will continue to educate and inspire museum visitors and residents for years to come,” Treena says. “We plan to change the room to an Indigenous artifact room.”

The success of the event was made possible thanks to the South East Sport, Culture & Recreation District GROW Your Community Grant, which funded the artist, materials, and preparation of the space. “Without the funding the project would not have happened,” Treena notes. “The museum runs on a very small budget.”

The success of Oxbow’s mural is just one example of what’s possible with support from the GROW Your Community Grant. If you have a vision for building connection, promoting cultural understanding, or making art accessible—consider applying!

Photo Credit: Treena Mohrbutter, Community Development Officer, Town of Oxbow

Seventy-five years after they made history on the ballfields of Saskatchewan, the Indian Head Rockets, a team that helped break racial barriers in Canadian baseball were honoured. History came alive on Currie Field on June 11th, 2025, home to the Regina Red Sox. A special tribute game was held to celebrate the legacy of a team comprised of all-African American and Latino players who played throughout the province in the 1950s.

This special game drew a large crowd.  Many ticket holders excitedly stood in line for autographs from the remaining Indian Head Rockets players attending, members Nat Bates and Willie Reed. The Indian Head Museum sold decks of Indian Head Rockets baseball cards and other assorted merchandise, which included baseball caps, a hot commodity (much to my chagrin, the hats were sold out before I could get one).  As Nat Bates and Willie Reed entered the field, crowds roared.  What it must have been like for Nat Bates and Willie Reed to relive this experience again on a baseball field in Saskatchewan seventy-five years later is unimaginable.

This massive undertaking, led by lead volunteer Robyn Jensen, along with the support of Indian Head Museum volunteers and board members, as well as a long list of partners, underscores the importance of and the need for partnerships and collaboration to create exceptional opportunities.

We spoke with Robyn Jensen to learn more about how this project came together, as well as the Rockets’ impact and the significance of this long-overdue recognition. Here’s what she had to say.

The seed of this project was planted years ago, when my daughter, a summer student at the museum in 2018, was helping with a donation from local community historian Ken McCabe, who ran the Rural Sports Hall of Fame. She came home and told me that 26,000 to 30,000 people used to attend baseball games in Indian Head in the 1940s and 1950s. This felt so mythical; How was this possible in a town of only 1,500 people? Where did they all come from? She also said that an African descent team was hired to play for the community starting in 1950. I was stunned. I had lived in Indian Head for almost 15 years at that point and had never heard that our small prairie town had such a history. It struck my curiosity as someone who has always been passionate about local and prairie history, and I began asking questions, eventually joining the museum board in 2019 to delve deeper.

The connection to Nat Bates and Willie Reed came later, through archival research and conversations with… historian Jay-Dell Mah at attheplate.com. Their names surfaced in a 2012 interview they conducted with their friend and fellow player, Pumpsie Green, for the Leader-Post.  All three played for the Rockets in 1952.  We found out that Pumpsie passed in 2019, but Nat and Willie were still with us. Eventually, we reached out to them with the simple hope of starting a conversation and learning more about their time playing in Canada.

My idea for the tribute game began with a thought: what better way to honour the Indian Head Rockets than by bringing their story back to the ball diamond, where it started, and into the hearts of a new generation of fans? I wanted to continue telling their story in a way that felt alive, immediate, and rooted in place. Baseball has always been about more than the game; it’s about memory, connection, and community. And for the Rockets, their story deserved to be told not just in museums or archives, but on the field, under the prairie sky.

The connection between Indian Head and Regina made the location even more fitting. For many years, teams from the Queen City competed in Indian Head tournaments. In 1953, Rockets player-manager Big Jim Williams brought the team to Regina to play for the Regina Capitals (Caps). That shared history formed a bridge across time, making Currie Field the perfect setting for the tribute game.

This game brought together many hands and hearts. The Regina Red Sox were generous collaborators. Executive Director Sharon Clarke and President Gary Brotzel from the Red Sox made space for the vision and helped with logistics. Kairo Holdness created the media materials. Additional collaborators included Erin Stankewich, Vickie Krauss, and Matthew Gourlie from the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, Carol LaFayette-Boyd from the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, and Halter Media, all of whom stepped up to support. City of Regina and Indian Head Mayors, U18 and U11 players and coaches from the Indian Head Minor Ball Association, our museum board members, community members, fans, and descendants of Rockets committee members all came together to make the day unforgettable. Our sponsors were the Sherwood CO-OP, whose donation allowed us to create special commemorative hats for the game, and 4Imprint, which sponsored the special baseballs.  And finally, our thanks to the Ogema Restoration Committee for their accommodation during filming at their Historic Grandstand.

For me, this project was never just about the stats and figures; it was about understanding cultural contact and memory in a deeper way. With an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and a particular interest in ethnography, I’ve always been drawn to the ways people create meaning in everyday life, how traditions, belonging, and identity are negotiated in community spaces. When I first encountered the story of the Indian Head Rockets, I felt like I had stumbled upon a hidden history, one that had somehow slipped beneath the surface of public memory. I was especially curious to learn how an all-African descent team was welcomed in small, predominantly white prairie towns during a time when segregation and racial exclusion were still the norm across much of North America.

This was ethnographic and research work in motion, gathering oral histories, tracing narratives through archives and photographs, and observing how memory is preserved or allowed to fade. I wouldn’t have described myself as passionate about baseball at the outset (though I did play in high school), but something about this story kept pulling me in. I also felt a growing sense of responsibility; if I didn’t pick up the torch to continue sharing it, the legacy of the Indian Head Rockets might be lost. This project became my way of honouring all of that: to bring a forgotten history back into the light and let it speak.

Through numerous interviews with a wide range of people connected to baseball, players, volunteers, fans, wives, coaches, I’ve developed a deep affection for the game and its many layers, both on and off the field. I also feel that I have been welcomed into this vibrant community of people who love the game on all levels and support one another, who share the same passion.  In fact, this work has inspired me to return to university to pursue a Master of Arts in Media and Artistic Research, with a focus on archival curation, and start my research branch of prairie baseball through a blog called Home Runs and Dirt Roads. https://homerunsdirtroads.ca/ 

We would love to thank Robyn for inviting us to this event, taking the time to discuss it with us, and a massive shout out to everyone who makes this such a special day. 

Article Credit: Robyn Jensen, Home Runs & Dirt Roads, Interview conducted via e-mail, July 08th, 2025

Photo Credit: Indian Head Museum

Saskatchewan celebrates those who go above and beyond in service to their communities. Established in 1995 to mark the province’s 90th anniversary, the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal recognizes individuals whose selfless efforts help make daily life better for everyone. It’s a tribute to the countless hours, quiet leadership, and unwavering commitment that define Saskatchewan’s volunteers.

This year, Audrey and Ron Euteneier of Kronau, stand proudly among the honourees. Lifelong residents and devoted community leaders, the Euteneuer’s have built a legacy of service rooted in their love for people and place.

Ron (86), a retired farmer and Petro Canada pipeline supervisor, dedicated over 25 years to firefighting, often putting himself at risk—and even lending his own grain truck to battle rural blazes.

Audrey (86), a talented artist and life member of the Regina Federation of Artists, has shared her creativity with others through teaching and organizing exhibitions that bring art to life in the community.

Together, the couple has poured two decades of energy and passion into the Kronau Marvellous Museum and Creative Corner. From spearheading fundraising campaigns to curating exhibits and leading a successful rebranding effort, Audrey and Ron have helped preserve the cultural fabric of their hometown.

Congratulations, Audrey and Ron, on this well-deserved honour!

Photo Credit: Government of Saskatchewan

The Weyburn Oilwomen Association has received multiple grants throughout the years through South East Sport, Culture, & Recreation District’s GROW Your Community Grant. With the support of the grant, the Oilwomen have established Skate and Sled Sheds, providing free access to skates and sleds for community members. This initiative is just one example of how the GROW Your Community Grant continues to enhance recreational opportunities!

Weyburn Oilwomen Assoc. board member, Abby Kradovill, provided insight into the Skate and Sled Sheds project and how the funding from the GROW Your Community Grant has made a difference.

“The borrowing stations, conveniently located throughout Weyburn, allow residents to borrow skates or sleds at no cost. The program operates on a self-serve, honour-system basis, making it easy for everyone to participate. This initiative aligns with our values of education, diversity, equity & inclusion, personal growth, empowerment, networking, and service.”

“This project thrives thanks to collaboration with the City of Weyburn and the support of the Grow Your Community (GYC) grant from South East District. These partnerships enable us to maintain and expand the program, ensuring that our community has continued access to these valuable resources.”

“Like any community initiative, we face challenges such as equipment maintenance, lost or damaged items, and spreading awareness. However, the Weyburn Oilwomen are committed to finding innovative solutions, expanding our impact, and ensuring long-term sustainability.”

“The Weyburn Oilwomen believe in empowering our community through education, leadership, and service. In addition to the Skate and Sled Sheds, we support various initiatives that promote sport, culture, and recreation, helping women and the broader community grow through networking, mentorship, and learning opportunities.”

“With our slogan, Empower, Connect, Lead, we continue to create inclusive spaces where everyone can participate, grow, and thrive. Thanks to the support of the GYC grant, the City of Weyburn, and our incredible community, the Skate and Sled Sheds are helping to shape a more equitable and active Weyburn for all.”

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If you’re looking to enhance recreational opportunities and create a more vibrant community, South East District is accepting applications starting on April 1, 2025 for the 2025-26 grant cycle.