A BIG CONGRATULATIONS (AND AN EVEN BIGGER THANK YOU) TO KURTIS KOPP!
We are bursting with pride today as we celebrate our friend, former employee, volunteer, and all-around awesome human being Kurtis Kopp—who walked away from the 35th Saskatchewan Country Music Awards with not one, but two major honours.
First, Kurtis took home Musician Award: Drummer of the Year, recognizing his incredible talent and contributions as a drummer on stage and in the studio. If you’ve ever watched him play, you know the rhythm basically lives in his bones—he doesn’t just play the drums… the drums try to keep up with him.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Kurtis was also named one of the two recipients of the 2025 Humanitarian Award, honouring individuals who go above and beyond to lift up their communities. Anyone who knows him will agree: there couldn’t be a more deserving choice.
Because beyond his musical skills, Kurtis has poured his heart into helping the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre.
He’s the artist behind the beautiful, ever-changing artwork on our front display windows (of the past)—turning our building into a place that feels welcoming, warm, and full of life. He’s the guy who jumps onto the food bank truck when we’re short-handed, hauls boxes, helps with pickups, and tackles whatever needs doing with zero hesitation. He’s the person who makes volunteers feel included, staff feel supported, and families feel seen.
And of course, he’s one of our loudest cheerleaders—always speaking proudly about the work we do, always encouraging people to get involved.
Kurtis, we are so thankful for you:
your creativity, your kindness, your willingness to show up (sometimes before we even ask!), and—yes—your fabulous drumming.
And on a personal note… thank you, Kurtis, for giving me, Erin Katerynych, a shoutout during your acceptance speech. It was unexpected, and very appreciated. I might have replayed it once or twice… or 12 times. But who’s counting?
Please join us in congratulating Kurtis Kopp—drummer of the year, humanitarian of the year, artist of the year in our hearts, and a truly wonderful friend to the Battlefords community.
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxFyWrq8Zd-NmX90ItyNZTXY1MeFzXGrWk?si=ox4HZ9UCuqAuZxhe
