Released on October 2, 1996
Deputy Premier and Economic Development Minister Dwain Lingenfelter
today announced that Oct. 13 to 19 has been proclaimed Co-operatives
Week in Saskatchewan.
The nationally-observed week recognizes and celebrates the important
role co-operatives and credit unions play in the Saskatchewan and
Canadian way of life.
"Co-operatives and the spirit of partnership they represent have a long
and honoured tradition in Saskatchewan," Lingenfelter said.
"Co-operatives helped shape the economic and social fabric of
Saskatchewan, and they continue to meet the economic and social needs
of our communities and our people."
The provincial celebrations begin with a flag-raising ceremony Oct. 15
at the Legislative Building, where the internationally-recognized
co-operative flag will fly for the duration of Co-operatives Week.
The highlight of the festivities will be the 17th annual Saskatchewan
Co-operative Merit Awards ceremony in Regina Oct. 15.
This year, four individuals have been chosen to receive the 1996
Saskatchewan Co-operative Order of Merit Award, which recognizes
exceptional contributions from individual co-operative or credit union
members at the provincial and local level. The 1996 recipients are
Vernon Leland of Weldon, Raymond Luterbach of Lampman, John Trew of
Regina and Larry Gislason of Foam Lake.
In addition, two individuals and two co-operative organizations will
receive the Saskatchewan Co-operative Enterprise Award for their
outstanding initiative and achievement in co-operative enterprise.
Individuals receiving the award are Harold Chapman of Saskatoon and
J. Milton Fair of Regina. The two organizations chosen for this year's
awards are the Regina-based Prairie Dog Alternative News Co-operative,
and the Buffalo Narrows-based North West Credit Union Limited.
"The continuing importance of co-ops to the Saskatchewan economy and
our way of life has been recognized in the province's economic strategy
Partnership for Growth," Lingenfelter said. "We are working with the
co-operative sector to explore new ways it can support the value-added
diversification of our province."
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For more information, contact:
Tom Marwick
Economic Development
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-0192
CO-OP WEEK AWARD RECIPIENTS
The annual Saskatchewan Co-operative Merit Awards Program, initiated in 1980, honours co-
operative and credit union members who have made outstanding contributions to co-operative
development in our province.
The Saskatchewan Co-operative Order of Merit Award recognizes outstanding contributions by
individual co-operative and credit union members at the provincial and community level. This year
the award is being presented to four individuals.
Vernon Leland, a Weldon resident, has been involved in the co-operative sector for more than 40
years. He is the longest-serving president of Federated Co-operatives Limited, serving in that
capacity for 18 years, until his retirement in 1996. He has also been involved in the promotion of co-
operative ventures around the globe.
Raymond Luterbach, of Lampman, has been an active member of the co-operative movement for
well over 40 years, receiving numerous certificates of recognition for his service and dedication. A
director of the Lampman Co-op for 19 years, he has also served as a director and delegate with the
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan.
John Trew, of Regina, began his more than 40 years of service to co-operatives as Secretary
Treasurer of the Beechy Co-operative Farm Association in 1949. His well known work nationally
and internationally includes key roles in the establishment of the first Indian Co-op farm in British
Columbia, and the first Co-op supermarket in Guyana, South America.
Larry Gislason, a resident of Foam Lake, has been a co-operative supporter and community leader in
the Foam Lake-Leslie-Mozart area for more than 40 years. He has served in various capacities with
the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Canadian Co-op Association, Federated Co-operatives and Co-
operative College of Canada.
The Saskatchewan Co-operative Enterprise Award, introduced in 1995, recognizes outstanding
initiative and achievement in co-operative enterprise. It is being presented to two individuals and two
co-operative organizations.
Harold Chapman, a Saskatoon resident, began his lifetime of co-operative education and
development as a provincial government employee responsible for organizing co-operative schools,
Aboriginal co-operatives and co-operative farms. He dedicated 18 years of service as principal of the
Co-operative College of Canada, and is a founding member of the Association of Co-operative
Educators.
J. Milton Fair, of Regina, is best known for his extensive work with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool,
joining the Pool in 1965, and rising to the position of Chief Executive Officer in 1981. During his
tenure as CEO of the Pool, he played key roles in the acquisition of Federal Grain Limited, formation
of CSP Foods Limited, and the Pool's partnership in companies such as Robin's Donuts, Prairie
Malt, and CanAmera Foods.
North West Credit Union Limited opened its doors in Buffalo Narrows in 1991, in response to a
complete lack of banking facilities in the northwest part of the province. In just over five years, the
credit union has grown to more than $7 million in assets, serving nearly 1,500 members from
communities around the region, including La Loche and Beauval. It has provided direct employment
for local people and financing for local business ventures that have created even more jobs.
Prairie Dog Alternative News Co-operative was incorporated in Regina in 1992, as an alternative
news vehicle to the mainstream media. The paper's coverage pays particular attention to the concerns
of low-income people and other marginalized groups, gaining a reputation for its service to the
community and excellent journalism. It also provides free advertising for community-based
organizations, and has established a spin-off book retailing business and desk top publishing service.
