The instruments have been ordered and should be in La Ronge soon. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

grant recipient

Kikinahk set to receive dozens of musical instruments

Sep 28, 2021 | 12:20 PM

Dozens of guitars, drums and other instruments are headed to La Ronge’s Kikinahk Friendship Centre.

That’s according to executive director Ron Woytowich, who said he successfully applied for an approximately $14,000 grant through the MusiCounts TD Community Music Program. La Ronge is one of 31 community organizations in Canada to receive the grant and is only one of two in Saskatchewan.

“I honestly didn’t think we would get it because we don’t have a TD Bank anywhere near us,” he said. “We went through all kind of stages of applications saying who we are and that we are a registered charity, who we serve and the number of children and everything else.”

The instrument list includes 35 Yamaha compact and dreadnought acoustic guitars, 20 hand drums, six ukuleles, four mandolins, two violins and more. Woytowich plans to use the drums at Kikinahk’s Head Start and have someone come in and teach music or drumming.

He has the same plans for the other instruments, which will be available for older children at the facility. It could be some time, however, until the older children can access the instruments as there is still concerns about COVID and holding events with large crowds. Before the pandemic, nearly 700 kids were registered in Kikinahk’s youth program.

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

18h ago

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

12 Best Tips to Spend Less at Christmas

Nov 18, 2025

“The deal is Kikinahk has to supply quite a few things,” Woytowich said. “There are conditions with this. The children can’t take the instruments home, they have to be here and we have to pay for and supply the instructors. We already got one that’s willing to do it and another one or two would be really nice.”

To date, the MusiCounts TD Community Music Program has supported 247 community organizations across Canada and thousands of youth participants with more than $3.6 million in musical instruments, resources, and equipment.

The only other successful applicant in Saskatchewan to receive funding during the latest round is Mistawasis Nehiyawak Community Studio Program in Leask.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno