The Leader and District Arts Council (LDAC) hosted The Wardens at the Leader Community Centre on April 1 as part of its ongoing performance season.
This concert marked the third of four shows in the current season and was part of the Spark Performance. Spark, an initiative developed by the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils, aims to foster youth engagement in the arts.
"I think everyone enjoyed the stories they had to tell," said Treena Redman, President of the Leader and District Arts Council. "The video really made you feel like you were a part of it."
Currently on tour across Saskatchewan, The Wardens began their journey in Cold Lake, Alberta, their only stop outside the province, before embarking on a rigorous schedule of 10 performances in 12 days across Saskatchewan. The tour commenced in Leader and will conclude in Biggar on April 12.
Drawing from a collective 50 years of experience as national park wardens, The Wardens infuse their music with rich storytelling and a deep connection to Canada's natural landscapes. Established in 2009, the group consists of Scott Ward and Ray Schmidt, joined for this tour by Scott Duncan and Nico Humby. Together, they delivered a captivating performance, blending narrative and song.
Ward, who has served as a national park warden for over 30 years in Banff National Park, crafts his music from experiences living in the remote wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. His expertise includes horsemanship, search-and-rescue dog handling, and alpine rescue. During the performance, he recounted stories of national park rescue dogs, including Ginger, the first official search-and-rescue dog, and his own first dog, Gypsy. These anecdotes were followed by a touching, yet-to-be-titled song inspired by Ginger. Find a sample of the story and song below.
Schmidt shared harrowing stories of wildfire management, including his firsthand experience battling wildfires in Jasper National Park in July 2024 and the significant 2003 Tokumm-Verendrye fire, which consumed 12.6 per cent of Kootenay National Park. These memories were accompanied by the group’s song "Backfire," inspired by the 2003 blaze.
Duncan, the group's fiddler, paid tribute to his grandfather, Herb Duncan, who lived to the remarkable age of 106. Herb was the last surviving member of the Maple Creek Old Tyme Fiddlers and a violin maker, having taken up the craft at age 80. In recognition of his lifelong contributions, he was honored with the Saskatchewan Centenarian Award at 101 for his ongoing volunteer efforts.
In addition to the performance, LDAC organized a snack bar and a 50/50 draw, with proceeds supporting a scholarship for high school students in Leader, Fox Valley, and Eatonia pursuing post-secondary arts education.
"It was a successful night," Redman said. "We had above our average; we had 90 people there."
LDAC's final show of the season will feature the Misery Mountain Boys on May 2, 2025. This ensemble captures the essence of a clandestine 1930s speakeasy performance, blending lively jazz, soulful love songs, and energetic jump blues. For more details and ticket information, visit the LDAC website.