Saskatchewan succeeds as champions: 175 medals won by Team Sask at NAIG

As the 10th North American Indigenous Games close in Nova Scotia, Team Saskatchewan is not leaving empty handed.

Team Saskatchewan, made up of more than 500 athletes, coaches and team personnel from across the province, were named overall champions after tallying 175 total medals. The medal tally included 51 gold, 63 silver and 61 bronze, with the highest medal total of 44 being claimed in Athletics.

Team Sask-NAIG receives funding support through various Sask Lotteries grants administered through Sask Lotteries.

Learn more about Team Sask’s success

Sparks fly for new grant program for Sask Sport members

Inclusion. Diversity. Equity. Accessibility.

These are the driving principles behind the Spark Ideas Grant, which is now accepting expressions of interest.

Eligible Provincial Sport Organizations, Multi-Sport Organizations, Districts for Sport, Culture and Recreation, Tribal Councils, FSIN and MNS members can apply by Aug. 31 for the program’s inaugural intake, which is being administered by Sask Sport.

Funded by the Sport Section of the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund, Spark Ideas grants will support programming that aims to:

  • Increase opportunities to participate in quality sport activities for all those in Saskatchewan including equity-deserving and under-represented groups.
  • Increase the ability of the Saskatchewan amateur sport system to achieve meaningful, lasting change by supporting member-led initiatives.
  • Increase inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility within the Saskatchewan amateur sport system.

Learn more about the grant

Renewed lottery agreement benefits Saskatchewan communities

This afternoon, the Government of Saskatchewan, Sask Sport, SaskCulture and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association signed a renewed lottery distribution agreement, continuing a longstanding and successful partnership.

The renewed agreement guarantees that proceeds from lottery ticket sales will continue to support sport, culture and recreation across the province for the next six years. Saskatchewan has authorized lottery tickets to be used as a dedicated fundraiser for sport, culture and recreation since 1974.

“Lottery funding ultimately touches every person in our province, whether it’s getting active in sports and recreational activities, experiencing the creative arts, or participating in cultural events that celebrate our diversity,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. “These programs are made possible through our partners and a vast network of community volunteers, who deliver experiences that help make Saskatchewan the best places to live, work and raise a family.”  

Funding from Sask Lotteries benefits over 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups throughout the province. For the 2022-23 fiscal year, approximately $60 million from the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund was granted to organizations across Saskatchewan.

“On behalf of Sask Sport and its volunteers, I am grateful for the continued partnership of a lottery agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan,” Sask Sport Chair Michael Rogers said. “As a parent and participant in sport, every day I see how the funds generated through the agreement benefit Saskatchewan residents and positively impacts communities. A multi-year agreement gives stability for planning for all beneficiary groups to continue creating opportunities that make Saskatchewan vibrant for everyone.”

“Lottery funding is so important to ensuring that cultural activity adds to the quality of life of individuals and families in this province,” SaskCulture Board Chair Jan Seibel said. “From attending a musical to learning a traditional dance, or joining a writing group, or perhaps, exploring a museum, many people look forward to accessing cultural programs, events and services as a regular part of their lives.  As a whole, these types of activities help shape the Saskatchewan experience.  We are very pleased with the renewal of this agreement, and government’s commitment to helping ensure that an even greater diversity of peoples can engage in cultural and creative pursuits that contribute to a culturally vibrant province.”

“The government’s continued support of recreation, culture, and sport speaks volumes about the value created by our industries’ collective work,” Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association Board President, Jody Boulet said that. “We are honoured to be tasked with enhancing quality of life for Saskatchewan people through parks and recreation for another six years and beyond.”

The agreement allows continued investments in strategic priority areas, such as engaging diverse and equity-deserving populations; supporting access to safe and welcoming sport, culture and recreation communities; and encouraging well-being and active lifestyles.

Sask Lotteries helping Saskatchewan athletes reach success at provincial and national multi-sport events

The Saskatchewan Games Council had a busier than usual schedule between August of 2022 and March 2023, thanks to Canada Summer Games and the Canada Winter Games, as well as the Saskatchewan Winter Games all being held within the six-month period.

First up, was the 2022 Canada Summer Games August 6-21, 2022 in Niagara, Ont., which had been delayed from 2021 as a result of COVID-19. The event saw 70 different Saskatchewan communities represented by 377 athletes, 88 coaches and 25 mission staff compete in 18 different sports. At the end of the two-week competition, Saskatchewan brought home 32 medals, including gold medals for the boys’ volleyball team as well as 400-metre women’s hurdler Savannah Sutherland and 5,000-m runner Jasmine Fehr.

Following the conclusion of the Canada Summer Games, attention turned to the winter season, with the Council preparing not only another Saskatchewan contingent to compete at another national event, but also getting things finalized for hosting their own provincial games.

Beginning on February 18 and running until March 5, the Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island featured 217 Saskatchewan athletes, as well as 74 coaches and support staff, 26 mission staff and 26 officials from 60 communities across the province. Once again, Saskatchewan was a success on the podium, totalling 20 medals in 20 different sport events. Gold medals went to girls’ artistic gymnast Rylee Miller for her floor routine, boys’ artistic gymnast Jordan Carroll in the pommel horse event and to speed skating’s Luca Veeman in the boys’ mass start event.

Just one day after the start of the Canada Winter Games, more than 1,600 athletes from every corner of the province descended on Regina for the 50th edition of the Saskatchewan Winter Games. Throughout the weeklong event, the athletes competed in 16 different sports, including alpine skiing, artistic swimming, badminton, futsal, wrestling and more.

The success of these events and the athletes at them was a result of a variety of factors, including funding provided through the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund. The funding is used multiple ways throughout an athlete’s career, including programming for their local sport clubs, equipment purchases and support through SPAE and Future Best. The Saskatchewan Games are also supported through hosting grants.

Without the support of Sask Lotteries, our Saskatchewan amateur athletes wouldn’t be able to reach the levels of success they have at multi-sport games in the province and across Canada.

Mark Bracken – Saskatchewan Games Council Executive Director