Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Don Leitch’s journey through life has been a learning experience.
The distinguished United Church Minister enjoyed a rewarding career in business communications and market development at the Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada, the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, and other areas of business and government.
When, upon retirement, he went to Craik and followed his wife and partner Louise Robson, also a Minister, in all things of life and spirit, he couldn’t help but direct his skills in the service of his new community.
“When I heard agricultural economist Jack Stabler predict the disappearance of many of our small towns between Saskatoon and Regina, I said to myself there has to be a way to turn this around. A group of us decided to do something. Under the leadership of three visionaries from Davidson, the MidLakes Community Coalition was formed.
“The initial idea was to invite all the communities between Lake Diefenbaker and Long Lake and along Highway 11 to work together to turn the tide. We thought we’d be better off hanging together than hanging separately—if that was to be the only outcome.”
Pretty soon, Leitch became Co-Chair of the Coalition; he lived in Craik for seven years. Now the town is a leader in community sustainability efforts.
“We moved away from the old hockey rivalries and started celebrating each other’s successes. We contacted communities from Dundurn to Lumsden. We generated a tremendous amount of interest with this new outlook.”
Leitch does come across as a determined individual. Affected by post polio syndrome later in life, he has had to adjust to new physical challenges. The man knows how to motivate people to shape their own economic future.
“I grew up in this province. I have a lot of respect for Aboriginal people who were not dealt the best hand in today’s world. I also recognize the challenges that farmers and ranchers face today. We all have to keep believing that we can influence our destiny to accomplish our goals.Saskatchewan
For Leitch and his partners of the Mid-Lakes Coalition, an opportunity manifested itself when the group engaged in a campaign to have their section of Highway 11 named Louis Riel Trail a few years ago.
“It worked. We succeeded. Now our friend
s in Craik are undertaking new challenges.
Leitch has since moved to Unity, where he and Louise are both serving as Ministers. Don just wants to carry on the mission he feels in his blood, of creating more positive outlooks for dreams yet to be realized.
For more information, contact:
Don Leitch
(306) 228-2107
Don Leitch’s journey through life has been a learning experience.
The distinguished United Church Minister enjoyed a rewarding career in business communications and market development at the Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada, the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, and other areas of business and government.
When, upon retirement, he went to Craik and followed his wife and partner Louise Robson, also a Minister, in all things of life and spirit, he couldn’t help but direct his skills in the service of his new community.
“When I heard agricultural economist Jack Stabler predict the disappearance of many of our small towns between Saskatoon and Regina, I said to myself there has to be a way to turn this around. A group of us decided to do something. Under the leadership of three visionaries from Davidson, the MidLakes Community Coalition was formed.
“The initial idea was to invite all the communities between Lake Diefenbaker and Long Lake and along Highway 11 to work together to turn the tide. We thought we’d be better off hanging together than hanging separately—if that was to be the only outcome.”
Pretty soon, Leitch became Co-Chair of the Coalition; he lived in Craik for seven years. Now the town is a leader in community sustainability efforts.
“We moved away from the old hockey rivalries and started celebrating each other’s successes. We contacted communities from Dundurn to Lumsden. We generated a tremendous amount of interest with this new outlook.”
Leitch does come across as a determined individual. Affected by post polio syndrome later in life, he has had to adjust to new physical challenges. The man knows how to motivate people to shape their own economic future.
“I grew up in this province. I have a lot of respect for Aboriginal people who were not dealt the best hand in today’s world. I also recognize the challenges that farmers and ranchers face today. We all have to keep believing that we can influence our destiny to accomplish our goals.
For Leitch and his partners of the Mid-Lakes Coalition, an opportunity manifested itself when the group engaged in a campaign to have their section of Highway 11 named Louis Riel Trail a few years ago.
“It worked. We succeeded. Now our friend
s in Craik are undertaking new challenges.
Leitch has since moved to Unity, where he and Louise are both serving as Ministers. Don just wants to carry on the mission he feels in his blood, of creating more positive outlooks for dreams yet to be realized.
For more information, contact:
Don Leitch
(306) 228-2107
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