(Submitted photo/BTEC)

By Alyssa Rudolph

community

BTEC recognizing their clients’ years of dedication.

Nov 7, 2025 | 5:22 PM

The Battlefords Trade and Education Centre (BTEC) is about community and inclusion. It gives people a voice and helps them feel like they’re part of the community.

“We focus on strengths here. We don’t focus on weakness,” said BTEC program co-ordinator Jessica Bigknife.

That’s why every five years, the non-profit organization that provides day program services to participants with developmental disabilities hosts an award ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of those individuals. Bigknife said some of them have been a part of the organization for 46 years.

“It’s not like a school where it’s always switching to different students every year. They really do become your family because after 20 years, I’ve known half these guys longer than I’ve had one of my children,” said Bigknife.

BTEC has been running in the community for the past 58 years offering the interactive programs and activities. Currently, the centre has 68 participants that regularly attend.

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Executive Director Mona Leece, said the Battlefords area has always been a big supporter of their organization, so, in return, they try to give back when possible.

“We volunteer for Meals on Wheels, the food bank, Midwest Foods, and we also do other activities within the community like track, swimming… you name it, BTEC does it,” said Leece

On Friday, every individual that has participated in the program for over a year received a certificate of recognition. Leece said it’s a big deal to many of them.

“Where would all our 68 participants be? Whether they would be in their home doing nothing, or who knows if they would have been on the street. It’s an activity center, and I mean, they enjoy it,” said Leece.

Tiffany Kuhmayer has been a client with BTEC since February and said she has enjoyed all of the activities and crafts. Kuhmayer’s biggest message was not to judge a book by its cover. She said she was originally scared to attend the program, but now enjoys every moment.

At the next award ceremony, BTEC will also be celebrating its 60^th anniversary. The center hopes to hold a big event for the occasion, celebrating both staff and clients.

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alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com