Ron Woytowich is known as a community builder and someone who brought many millions of dollars into the tri-communities for social programs. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

farewell

‘The best job I ever had’: Woytowich retires from Kikinahk Friendship Centre

Jun 7, 2024 | 5:14 PM

After nearly 30 years as the executive director of La Ronge’s Kikinahk Friendship Centre, Ron Woytowich has officially retired.

“This is the best job I ever had in my life, and it doesn’t even feel like a job,” he said.

“It feels like an enjoyable thing to do for the community, and I happened to fluke off and get paid for it as well. Of all the things I have managed to do in my life, I never thought I would work in a friendship centre.”

Woytowich came to La Ronge to work at the friendship centre in January 1995 expecting to stay for only two weeks. At the time, Kikinahk was facing bankruptcy and, as an accountant, it was his job to guide the facility through that process if it came down to that. After the executive director left for a different job with a post-secondary institution, he become acting executive director for two years before finally accepting an offer to take the job in 1997.

During that time, Kikinahk went from offering only a handful of programs to currently having nearly two dozen. The facility offers or offered services in Head Start, pre-natal, recreation, an after school program, Scattered Site, overnight shelter, free bussing between La Ronge and Prince Albert, and several through the Ministry of Social Services.

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Other programs like the annual Christmas hamper program don’t last long but take several months to organize.

“The place just grew on me and the potential for programming,” Woytowich explained.

“The fact the town didn’t have a community centre and things like that. We had this beautiful building and a gym and everything else that went with it, and all of the things we could do if we partnered with the town. Quite frankly, Kikinahk Friendship Centre really is our own. I don’t know how the other friendship centres are, but it didn’t matter if the people were Aboriginal or white or the immigrants from the Philippines right now. Everyone is welcome in here and they always have been.”

Woytowich has built a legacy as a community builder. Aside from his time with the Kikinahk, he was elected mayor of La Ronge and also served as the chair of the former Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authority.

Woytowich also has a reputation for his ability for successfully finding and applying for grants from various levels of government or other organizations. He has brought many millions of dollars into the tri-communities because of his efforts.

“There’s lots of money out there for different programs and you have to know how to write a proposal,” he noted.

“I don’t find it hard to write a proposal because I am also an accountant, so I can figure out in my head what we need, what we’re doing and to justify everything. I know some people apply and have a proposal that’s six to eight pages, but some of my proposals are 80 pages long.”

Woytowich was born and raised in North Battleford and he comes from parents who were businesspeople. His first career was as a police officer and he went on to earn several degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina in arts, sciences, as well as public administration.

The announcement of Woytowich’s retirement came suddenly. He notified his staff and the board of his resignation only days ago.

“It’s bugged me. I did this spur of the moment on Wednesday,” he said.

“I had a staff meeting and I told them what I was going to do, and I told the board. I couldn’t sleep all that night thinking ‘Did I do the right thing? What’s going to happen?”

There are several reasons for his departure, but he mentioned he’s turning 69 in a couple of months and it is time. His wife Sheila also has an elderly mother they want to spend time with and all of their children have moved away from the community. Woytowich could also move away from La Ronge by the end of the year.

Although he held such a pivotal role at Kikinahk, he believes he is leaving the organization in good hands.

“The annual general meeting is coming up and, honestly, I don’t want to entice anyone to do it, but I have some really good board members here. I think quite a few of them would make a good executive director,” he added.

“I had a good talk with the board today and I promised them whatever help they need I will be here. As long as I am in La Ronge, I will help them.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com