By Yolanda Hansen
What do former Saskatchewan Roughrider and CFL Hall of Famer Bill Clarke, philanthropist Jacqui Schumiatcher and Streetheart bassist Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve have in common? They’re all well-known, distinguished in their field, and they have all lived in North Central.
Surprised? Don’t be! There are many well-known people who have roots in North Central, and an exciting collaborative research project is designed to dig up these stories. The North Central Community Association, Regina Plains Museum and University of Regina are working together on a community history project that will share profiles of important people from the neighbourhood and graduates of Scott Collegiate. From sport, arts & culture, business, politics, community work and more, there are many fields in which North Central residents have excelled.
This project got an important start during the summer. Ntawnis Piapot, a Scott Collegiate and First Nations University graduate, conducted interview with past and current residents about their accomplishments and memories of the neighbourhood.
If you have important stories or accomplishments to share with us, please contact us at northcentral.hp@gmail.com
Important North Central residents:
Roger Ing – Chinese Canadian artist Roger Ing (1933-2008) owned and operated the New Utopia Café on Dewdney Avenue while pursuing his passion for art. His unique blend of classical Chinese and modernism abstract painting was coined “Rogerism” and is known internationally.
Timothy Long – (1961-) Timothy Long was born and raised in North Central and is currently the Head Curator for the MacKenzie Art Gallery. Some of his greatest achievements include celebrating art and artists from Saskatchewan through MacKenzie art exhibits. He has fond memories of walking in the neighbourhood and the creative outlets for kids in the community.
Kevin Daniels – Kevin Daniels (1961-), scriptwriter and former national vice-chief of the Congress of Aboriginal People, grew up in North Central and his experiences fuelled a life-long passion for politics and improving the lives of urban Aboriginal people. He knew he wanted to fight for change at young age: today his voice is heard through film.
Christina Riepsamen – Christina (1885-1963), a Regina Guide Captain with Girl Guide Company #4, launched the famous Girl Guide cookies from her kitchen on Robinson Street in 1927 when she began baking sugar cookies to raise money for her unit to go to summer camp. Today, over 7 million Girl Guide cookies are sold every year!
Millie (Warwick) McAuley – A graduate of Scott Collegiate, Millie Warwick McAuley (1922-2006) played softball as an original member with the All-American Girls Professional League in 1943-1944. The league was made famous in the 1992 film A League of their Own. She has been inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and is described as an athlete who “hit hard, ran fast, was a top base stealer, and did it all in a skirt”.
Ted Urness – Scott Graduate Ted Urness (1939-) is a former offensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1961-1970. He was All-Star centre for six years in a row and is considered the best centre in Roughrider history. He played in three Grey Cups for the Riders, winning one in 1966, and has been inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame.