UFCW members live and work across Turtle Island, situated on the lands of many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. We acknowledge that Indigenous peoples are the original and rightful stewards of this land, and the first to have a rela- tionship with the food systems and environment from which we continue to benefit. As a union committed to advancing workers’ rights, UFCW Canada Local 1400 is equally committed to supporting Indigenous justice through our ongoing efforts in union representation, advocacy, and reconciliation. UFCW Canada Local 1400 represents thousands of workers across Saskatchewan in a wide variety of industries, including retail food, food processing, security, industrial, and transportation sectors. To learn more about UFCW Local 1400, visit our website. NORTHERN SPIRITS THE PRINCE ALBERT NORTHERN SPIRITS YOUTH Showcase is more than a show – it’s a doorway into possibility for young people from northern Saskatchewan. Each season, the program welcomes youth into hands-on learning spanning music, storytelling, production and public speaking, culminating in a youth-built performance during the Prince Albert Winter Festival. For many participants, the greatest discovery isn’t a single talent; it’s the realization that they belong in creative spaces and that their voices matter. Community reporting over the years has highlighted how the workshop environment – collaborative, mentored and culturally grounded – helps youth try new roles on and off the stage with genuine support. What sets Northern Spirits apart is the way it teaches the whole show. Youth rotate through roles such as emceeing, set and stage design, stage management and live band performance, gaining confidence in both artistic and technical skills. That breadth matters: a student might arrive to sing but leave excited about lighting cues or producing. Public coverage of earlier editions shows just how wide the skill-building is, with workshops drawing large cohorts who learn by doing and then return to co-create the final showcase as performers, producers and crew. This approach reframes success from “Who has the best solo?” to “Who shows up for the team and grows?” – a shift that’s been central to the program’s impact. The program’s deeper purpose is care. Northern youth often juggle pressures that can erode confidence and connection, and Northern Spirits meets that reality with structure, mentorship and joy. Advocates have spoken plainly about its stakes; founder and mentor Sheryl Kimbley has said the program “has literally saved young people’s lives,” under- scoring how a safe, creative community can interrupt isolation and help youth imagine a future for themselves. Participants and supporters alike point to the way the showcase builds self-esteem and offers a platform to be seen and heard, which, for some, becomes a turning point. In recent years, a new generation of leaders has helped refresh the program’s partnerships and focus, bringing back Northern Spirits with added attention to mental health awareness, mentorship and cultural connection – without losing sight of the joy of performance. Kimbley brothers LJ and Kyle have worked together to take their mom’s program to new levels with fresh ideas, grounded in the mentorship that built the program. Sixty youth now gather to learn, create and lead, with an emphasis on empowerment that stretches far beyond the final bow. The result is a showcase that doesn’t just enter- tain a festival audience; it strengthens northern communities by nurturing young artists, producers and future leaders who carry their skills – and their confidence – home. Prince Albert Northern Spirits Youth Showcase 30 OUR PRIORITY Issue 1 2025/26
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