About Community Futures PA & District Loans, advice and support for over 25 years. Each of us has a special spot in our hearts for that place we call home. It matters little how big or how small our communities are when we make a decision to start a small business, volunteer, help our neighbor or to kick in for whatever project we’re raising money for today. And when other’s ask us why we would go to all that trouble, most of us would say because it’s my home.   Community Futures PA & District has been in the business of encouraging and supporting our communities, our volunteers and our small business owners for more than 25 years. We know what it takes to start and grow a business, to raise money for a community project or organize to provide a much needed community service. And, we’ll approach your idea in a way as individual as you are.

The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Saskatchewan Council established the New Beginnings Grant to assist women in finding a new life path through education. The second of these grants, worth $5000, was formally presented today to Holli Ironstand, a student in the Mental Health and Addictions Counselling Diploma Program, at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Holli lives with her five-year-old daughter in The Battlefords. In her spare time, she has been involved various organizations within her home community. As a person who struggles with anxiety and depression, Holli recognizes and appreciates the value of support. Her choice of study reflects this recognition and her intent to offer this crucial support to others in need. Holli is grateful to have been accepted into the Mental Health and Addictions program, offered through a combination of online and in-person learning – an option that is much appreciated by adult students in rural regions of the province with families to support. She looks forward to graduating from her program in June with the prospect of employment in her field. Her ultimate academic goal is to receive a Bachelor of Social Work and to work in trauma care and/or postpartum mental health. The CFUW New Beginnings Grant is open to a woman with primary financial responsibility for herself and her dependents, who is age 21 or older, has financial need, and is a Saskatchewan resident who has been accepted into an educational program. CFUW is a non-partisan, self-funded organization with 90 clubs across Canada and more than 6,600 members. Since the founding of CFUW in 1919, our mission has been to achieve educational and economic equality and social justice through continuous learning and empowerment. Our vision is that women and girls are educated and empowered to make transformative change in the world. In Saskatchewan, there are CFUW local clubs in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Yorkton with members throughout the province. Photo: Barb Gustafson, CFUW VP Prairies, presents the New Beginnings Grant certificate to Holli Ironstand.

BIG thanks to everyone who helped make PA Poutine Week a big success. 1428 Poutines were sold across the city raising $5712 for youth mentoring in our community! Many thanks to all eleven restaurants who participated - you are all fantastic!Venice House on Central sold the most poutines: a total of 298 during the ten day event! Original Joe’s came very close in 2nd place with 267 poutines sold. Lulu’s Kitchen sold 208 poutines, Rock & Iron sold 156 poutines, Boston Pizza sold 130, MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual sold 123, Humpty’s Big Plate Diner sold 65, Between The Buns sold 98, Ricky’s All Day Grill sold 36, Shananigan’s Bistro sold 32 and Prince Albert Brewing Company sold 15 poutines in support of the cause. Great job to all the cooks, servers and staff who made this possible.Thank you for helping to create brighter futures for children and youth in our city #PAproud #mentoringmatters

Barb Gustafson, local advocate and president of the Canadian Federation of University Women (Prince Albert chapter), just returned from the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York — the largest global forum on women's rights. Barb shared how the tone has shifted since last year, especially with American women now looking to Canada as a model for equal rights and access. “We take a lot for granted in Canada,” she said, “but attending this forum reminds you — we still have work to do.” From supporting education for girls to addressing missing and murdered Indigenous women, and ensuring women are part of tech development to stop online abuse — this year’s Beijing +30 theme looked at how far we’ve come… and how far we still have to go. Big respect to Barb for representing PA on the global stage!

Round One is ON! The 2025 WHL Playoffs Presented by Nutrien are set — and we’re kicking things off at home this Friday night against the Edmonton Oil Kings! And guess what? TAILGATING SEASON IS BACK! Before Game One, head to the lot where Lake Country Co-op will be grilling up a burger and a drink for just $5! Let’s pack the rink, fire up the grill, and bring the energy!Playoffs start Friday — see you there!

Thanks to the incredible support of the community, the 2025 MED GALA, proudly presented by Mann-Northway Chevrolet Buick GMC, was a record-breaking success — raising an amazing $170,301 in support of local healthcare! This year’s Gala was the biggest and most impactful yet — an evening filled with generosity, connection, and a shared commitment to better healthcare for Northern Saskatchewan. The organizing team is incredibly proud to be part of a community that consistently shows up, gives back, and believes in building a healthier future for all. To every guest, sponsor, volunteer, and supporter — thank you. Your contributions made this night one to remember, and the impact will be felt in every hallway, patient room, and care unit touched by this support. Together, this community is truly making a difference.