Heritage Regina’s 2024 Lecture Series

The Robinson Homestead

Saturday, January 27 | 2:00 and 5:00 PM

John Robinson shares the project of a lifetime: building a homestead shack in three days using tools and craftmanship of his ancestors.  

Featuring a homestead shack on-site, and an interactive tool demonstration.

FROST Downtown Hub | Big White Tent on 12th Avenue  

In partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement District. 

Serving the Crown: Reflections from Saskatchewan’s First Indigenous Lieutenant Governor

Thursday, February 15 | 7:00 PM 

His Honour Russ Mirasty, 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, discusses Indigeneity and service to the Crown.    

A meet-and-greet reception with the Lieutenant Governor will follow.

Government House (Sir Richard Lake Ballroom) | 4607 Dewdney Avenue 

Progressive Architecture: Our Past is Our Future

Saturday, March 2 | 7:00 PM

Using an extensive collection of historic photos, architectural designer John Robinson features the amazing structures that Regina has lost, restoration success stories and buildings currently at risk. 

Darke Hall | 2255 College Avenue 

Threads That Bind: The Connection Between Society, Art & Architecture

Thursday, March 21 | 7:00 PM 

Architect James Youck examines the relationship between art, architecture and historical context through western civilization, including examples from Regina. 

Online Lecture | Link via Heritage Regina Facebook Page 

The 1935 Regina Riot & the Death of Nick Schaack

Thursday, April 11 | 7:00 PM 

Historian Bill Waiser returns for a captivating look at the On-to-Ottawa Trek, the resulting Regina Riot and a second, forgotten fatality. 

The Artesian | 2627 13th Avenue  

Admission to all lectures is free of charge, however a $10 donation per group is recommended to support our programming.

Heritage Regina is grateful to our partners at the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District, Government House and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Darke Hall and The Artesian for helping us make our Lecture Series possible.

Meet the Speakers

John Robinson

John Robinson has been in the architectural design and drafting profession since 1977. In 1996 he incorporated Robinson Residential Design, a firm providing custom residential and design services to homeowners, builders, and developers, where he is now the principal designer and partner. John’s design projects have been featured on HGTV and in TV documentaries. His interest in historical homes has taken him across North America to better understand the importance of good design. John is currently serving on Heritage Regina’s board of directors, and regularly lends his skills and expertise to Habitat for Humanity.

Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty

Born and raised in La Ronge, Saskatchewan, Russ Mirasty is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, whose first language is Woodland Cree. Mr. Mirasty joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1976 and led an accomplished 36-year career with the force, serving as the Director General of National Aboriginal Policing Services and as the Commanding Officer of “F” Division (Saskatchewan). Throughout his career, he was posted to seven provinces and worked in every province and territory, as well as participating in an exchange with Australia’s Northern Territory Police Force. After retiring as Assistant Commissioner in 2013, Mr. Mirasty remained active throughout the province, helping lead the Student First Engagement process. He also served on several boards, including the McDowell Foundation in support of education research and information sharing, and he was appointed to Saskatchewan’s Advisory Group on Poverty Reduction. Mr. Mirasty was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan in 2019.

James Youck

James Youck is the Principal Architect at P3Architecture Partnership (P3A). James holds degrees in Art History and Architecture from the University of Saskatchewan and Carleton University respectively. He returned to Regina, his hometown, in 1994 to start his career after a short sojourn in Japan. He joined Pettick Phillips Partners Architects, now P3Architecture Partnership, becoming a partner in 2002. P3A has grown into the largest locally-owned design company in Regina, with an extensive portfolio of high-profile work.

Bill Waiser

Bill Waiser is one of Canada’s foremost historians. He has a degree in History from Trent University, and a Masters and Ph.D. in History from the University of Saskatchewan. Waiser was a history instructor at the U of S for over 30 years, eventually becoming the department head; he was named Distinguished Professor Emeritus after his retirement from the university. He has also worked as a Yukon Historian for Parks Canada. Now a full-time writer and public speaker, he has written 21 books, his most recent entitled “Cheated: The Laurier Liberals and the Theft of First Nations Reserve Land”. Waiser has been a recipient of several awards and honours, including the Order of Canada, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction. He has been a regular contributor to media including the Globe and Mail, the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix and the Regina Leader-Post.