Member Statement (3 March 2026)

From Hansard (3 March 2026)

 

Ituna Writer Wins Best Agricultural Coverage Award

Travis Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This summer a constituent of mine, Heidi Spilchuk, won first place in the 2025 Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association competition for Best Agricultural Coverage for her work with Ituna News and A Squared Printing.

Her article titled “Advice from a Sunflower” focuses on Heidi sitting down with Delon Smysniuk, a local farmer. Delon explained that he took his Baba Pauline’s advice and decided to grow sunflowers for fun. Throughout the article Heidi explains the history of the sunflower, its cultivation, its various uses, and in general the joy that a single sunflower can bring to people.

Mr. Speaker, the Ituna area always appreciates her storytelling abilities. She has a remarkable talent for captivating her audience while keeping her stories light and enjoyable to read. Mr. Speaker, local papers all across Saskatchewan are a bedrock of their communities. I am proud, as her MLA, to highlight Heidi’s achievements in journalism. Though humble, she should take pride in her accomplishments.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask all the members to join me in congratulating Heidi Spilchuk on winning first place in the 2025 SWNA [Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association] Better Newspapers Competition for Best Agricultural Coverage for her article, “Advice from a Sunflower.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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