Everett Baker Award for Saskatchewan Heritage

2023 Winner: Ethel and Ken Wills

Ethel and Ken Wills have volunteered for countless hours over two decades to discover, share and preserve the history of Southwest Saskatchewan for future generations.

They are outstanding leaders and role models in the Eastend community. They both have been active volunteers, tirelessly serving in local organizations.

Their work in the Eastend Historical Museum is invaluable. It goes above and beyond on preserving and promoting Saskatchewan's Heritage.

In 2014, the volunteer Museum Board of Directors and Membership decided to take on the challenge of a new building as the Museum's current home (the Old Pastime Theatre) had reached the end of its life. This challenge was not taken lightly, as it was an enormous undertaking for a small town with a population of 503.

Led by the endlessly optimistic Ethel and Ken, it took seven and a half years and thousands of hours of volunteer work to complete the new building with 3,500 square feet of exhibit and six programming spaces. They fundraised, and thanks to contributions of time, physical work and funding of individuals, private businesses, other town organizations, local government offices, neighbouring Hutterite Colonies, and generous visitors, a new building became a reality. The Museum is now a great gathering place for the community, with activities and workshops for all ages.

Ethel and Ken Wills at the Eastend Historical Museum, July 1, 2022. Image courtesy of the Town of Eastend Facebook page.

The paleontology collection includes a replica of a brontothere discovered by Ken Wills in 1973. The large machine shed includes a working 1903 Case Steam engine tractor, one of the few in the province. Ken is certified to drive the Steam engine, opening our annual Dino Days Festival Parade.

Ethel and Ken spend hours with volunteers working on the exhibitions, sorting, cataloguing and displaying artifacts, and organizing events and programming. If the Museum is closed, visitors can always call on Ethel and Ken to open the doors and give them a tour. They take advantage of every opportunity to organize something at the Museum or Town Square, always with the history and culture of Saskatchewan as the backbone.

As one of the support letters for their nomination reads: "Those two individuals are unlike any other. They are humble, inexhaustible balls of energy when it comes to helping others."

Congratulations, Ethel and Ken, for going above and beyond for your community and Saskatchewan's heritage.