The volunteers a part of Saskatchewan Winter Games history

Press Release

April 23, 2026

In 2026, the Saskatchewan Winter Games featured more than just athletic excellence, as hundreds of volunteers took part in a historic union of hosting duties.

For the first time since the Games launched in 1974, a First Nation and a city partnered to host the multi-sport event, which highlighted the kinship between Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation.

Since the communities are located just over two kilometres away from each other, they have been closely intertwined for years prior to this partnership, which allowed them to build on the connections that previously existed, in addition to fostering new ones.

“The Games really highlighted the relationship between the City of Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation, as we are on a journey of Truth and Reconciliation and I believe that our communities really model what it is to have partnership. We work well together and value the strength of each community,” said Flying Dust First Nation’s Danene Kopperud, co-chair of the Ceremonies and Culture Committee.

Meadow Lake local and co-chair of the Athlete Experience committee, Miles Nachbaur, echoed that sentiment.

“I think it was a really positive moment for us to be able to share the hosting duties. Flying Dust had such a huge role with all of the different sports and all of the volunteers.”

Altogether, nearly 600 volunteers from the two communities dedicated their time to facilitating the Games, with initial plans first being developed in late 2024.

From medical workers to minor officials and staff overseeing merchandise programs, volunteers helped ensure that the event ran smoothly from opening celebrations to close.

Kopperud and Nachbaur volunteered alongside close to 50 individuals as part of the hosting committee. The team planned transportation schedules, food service and the organization of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, which took hours of intentional planning.

“We had our heart set on having our Closing Ceremony at Flying Dust First Nation, as a part of the partnership of having both of our communities represented. Although, the weather became a factor in what we had to consider, so we had to be quick thinking and just made sure that Flying Dust was strongly highlighted during our Closing Ceremony,” said Kopperud.

Outside of Opening and Closing Ceremonies, pillars of each community stepped forward to host cultural events.

With the external community support, participants of the Games were able to attend experiences such as storytelling by Elders, button making, Indigenous craft making and sled dog rides. Kopperud also organized the Metis Nation to bring in the Northern Prairie Dancers as entertainment in honour of Cyprien Morin, one of the original Meadow Lake residents.

And in the process of organizing those events, more than just the participants fostered new connections.

According to Nachbaur, the opportunity of volunteering together gave the co-hosts the chance to unite in the pursuit of a similar goal: share their communities and relationship with the rest of the province while giving Saskatchewan athletes an opportunity to demonstrate their talents.

“We needed to be a team, and as a team we pulled off a great thing,” said Nachbaur. “When you’ve invested so much of your time, energy and love into something and when it’s reciprocated by someone you don’t even know, you’re going to build a bond and that bond is going to sustain itself. The cool thing about volunteering and the cool thing about a non-Indigenous and an Indigenous community coming together is it gave us an opportunity to put those tenants to the test.”

ILR5