👑 Regina tech is building in the Arctic

Regina's friendly local roundup | Monday, June 22, 2026

Happy Monday, Regina! 👋

The longest days of the year are here and summer is officially in full swing. It was a big weekend in the Queen City, the Riders pulled off another nail-biter, JazzFest has nearly wrapped up its run, and there's plenty of good news to ease you into the week.

Grab your coffee and let's get into it.

In today's edition:

Riders Survive a Double-Overtime Classic in Calgary to Stay Perfect

What a way to spend a Saturday night. The Saskatchewan Roughriders held off a furious Calgary comeback to win 40-37 in double overtime at McMahon Stadium, improving to 2-0 to start the season. Backup quarterback Tommy Stevens punched in his second short-yardage touchdown of the game in overtime to seal it, capping a contest the Green and White led by as many as 16 points before Calgary clawed back to force extra time.

Trevor Harris was sharp through the air with 349 yards and three touchdown throws, and Kian Schaffer-Baker hauled in two of them, giving him nearly 300 receiving yards across the first two games. It was the Riders' first win over Calgary since 2024, and a gritty one at that. The defending Grey Cup champions are back on home turf this Friday when they host the Toronto Argonauts at Mosaic Stadium, a perfect excuse to get your green on.

A Regina Crew Is Solving Housing Problems at a Remote Greenland Research Station

Here's one to make you proud to be from the Queen City. A local construction team is using made-in-Regina technology to hoist and assemble buildings at a remote research station in Greenland, tackling the kind of housing challenges that come with building in one of the most rugged environments on Earth. Crew members Monty Wensel and Michelle Dueck checked in with CBC's Morning Edition straight from the work site.

It's a reminder that Saskatchewan know-how travels a long way. The ingenuity that gets things built on the Prairies is now being put to work above the Arctic Circle, and that's the kind of story worth bragging about over coffee this week.

Regina Came Together for National Indigenous Peoples Day

Victoria Park was buzzing on Friday as the city marked National Indigenous Peoples Day with its biggest celebration yet. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families gathered for stage performances, an Indigenous Artisan Market, food trucks, and what organizers called the largest Kids Zone the event has ever featured. The day celebrated the heritage, cultures, and achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in a hands-on, welcoming way.

The entertainment lineup featured Charging Bear Productions powwow dancers, the Prairie Northern Dancers, and performer Brandon Alexson, with celebrations continuing across the province all weekend. It was a wonderful kickoff to the summer season and a meaningful chance for the whole community to come together and learn.

Five Young Indigenous Artists Picked for the City's "Tree of Life" Project

Back in the spring, the City put out a call for original "Tree of Life" designs from local Indigenous youth aged 12 to 20 and the response was so strong that five finalists have now been chosen. First prize went to Lili Beckett of MacNeill Elementary School, with Emery Capewell (Campbell Collegiate) and Syndel Sienna-Elise Smoke (F.W. Johnson Collegiate) taking second and third. Keira Lumberjack (Scott Collegiate) and Noah McCabe (Michael A. Riffel High School) each earned a Youth Recognition Award.

The winning designs will become visual symbols of the City's Urban Forest Management Plan, appearing in the final policy document along with educational materials, community programs, and public communications. It's a lovely way to weave young Indigenous voices into how Regina cares for its urban forest for years to come. Congratulations to all five.

Bushwakker Floods and Regina Rallies Around a 35-Year Institution

Some tough luck for a beloved local: on Wednesday, June 17, a water-main break on Dewdney Avenue sent water rushing into Bushwakker Brewpub's basement, leaving knee-deep flooding in what the pub is calling the most devastating flood in its 35-year history. The timing stung, landing right as JazzFest Regina got underway with Bushwakker booked as a festival venue.

But here's the Regina part: thousands of people have sent good wishes, the festival's closing show has been relocated so the music goes on, and crucially for the regulars, the pub confirms the tanks of beer survived. Staff are optimistic about reopening soon. If you want to show some love, keep an eye on their channels for the reopening and go raise a glass when they're back. We're rooting for you, Bushwakker.

June 22 – 24

🎷 JazzFest Regina Closing Show — Kristin Korb Trio: Eurythmics Jazz Tribute | Le Bistro – Carrefour des Plaines, 3850 Hillsdale Street | 7:00 PM | $25
The festival's grand finale features American jazz bassist and vocalist Kristin Korb reimagining Eurythmics classics through a jazz lens. Relocated from Bushwakker following last week's flood. Tickets & info

🪶 Smudge in the Commons | Community Commons, Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Free | Start your week in a good way with a community smudge. Everyone is welcome. Details

🀄 Social Mah Jongg | Sunrise Branch, RPL | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | Play Mah Jongg following National Mah Jongg League rules. All levels welcome at this friendly drop-in. Details

✍️ Writer in Residence Showcase | Film Theatre, Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Free | Celebrate Writer in Residence Ev Bishop and the local writers she's mentored during her term. Details

🎨 Drop-In Art Studio with Sarah Pitman | Community Commons, Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Free | Draw, paint, make comics, and explore your creativity in a relaxed space. For teens, kids, and adults. Details

🧵 Stitch, Make and Chat | George Bothwell Branch, RPL | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Free
Bring your quilting, beading, knitting, or cross-stitch and socialize while you work. All skill levels. Details

🎮 Big Screen Video Games | Central Children's, Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Free | Teens, play Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., or Boomerang Fu on the RPL Film Theatre big screen. Details

🖼️ Art in the Park — Collage Picture Frames | Victoria Park | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Free
Make a collage picture frame with magazines, coloured paper, and mixed media. Great for all ages (kids under 12 with an adult). Details

🎬 RPL Film Theatre: It Was Just an Accident | Film Theatre, Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 7:00 PM | Free Admission | Jafar Panahi's acclaimed 2025 film (Iran, 103 min, PG). One of Regina's best free cultural offerings. Details

🧒 Youth Hub | Community Commons, Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Free | Video games, art, beading, and more for teens — and yes, there's pizza. Details

🖼️ Bruce Anderson: Herd-Bound (curated by Alexander Rondeau) | Dunlop Art Gallery, Sherwood Village Branch | Free | On view through October 14, 2026. Drop in during branch hours. Details

It's the first full week of summer, what's your Queen City summer essential?

Hit reply to let us know :)

Thanks for reading Queen City Digest. Summer's finally here in full, get out there, support local, and enjoy every long warm evening.

Next edition: Wednesday, June 24.

-QCD