Photo from Ranch Ehrlo’s Facebook page of the Pilot Butte Campus
Ranch Ehrlo is celebrating their 60th anniversary with a special carnival event and powwow taking place on Thursday, August 27th at the Pilot Butte campus on Treaty 4 territory. This non-profit organization is a multi-service agency delivering a wide range of accredited mental health and developmental services delivered throughout Saskatchewan.
“We invite everyone to come down,” said Jamie Lerat Indigenous Advisor with Ranch Ehrlo.
The day will kick off with a male and female pipe ceremony at 8:30 a.m. followed by a feast at 10:30 a.m. and the powwow grand entry at 1:00 p.m. Family carnival activities, inflatables and a complimentary snack canteen will run from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The day will wrap up at 4:15 p.m. with a community barbecue.
“It’s really our commitment to giving back to the communities that we serve,” said Lerat. “We really hope that everyone comes. Bring your snagging blanket or your lawn chair and then just enjoy the day.”
Guests are invited to take part in a self-guided history experience at the Kesten Centre beginning at 10:30 a.m. highlighting the past 60 years, celebrating the history, achievements and stories that have shaped the Ranch. The space will remain open throughout the day for visitors to come and go.
Ranch Ehrlo was established on June 1, 1966, by the late Dr. Geoff Pawson.
“I’m told he as a young social worker who really believed children struggling with trauma deserved compassion, relationships, those wâhkôhtowin’s (In Cree meaning the heart of connection) and treatment and not punishment,” said Lerat.
The ranch initially opened with one home near Pilot Butte that had six boys and a small team of dedicated staff.
“Sixty years later, we’ve grown from that one home and a handful of staff to close to 200 properties, we have just over 1000 employees working across Saskatchewan to serve over 2000 participants in several of our communities,” said Lerat.
Those communities included Pilot Butte, Regina, Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw and surrounding areas.
They provide services including: assessment and psychotherapy for members of the broader community, family treatment and reunification, early learning, counselling, emergency receiving, specialized foster care, affordable housing, group care treatment and education for children and youth with mental health, behavioural, and addictions needs, and group care and vocational services for older adolescents and adults with pervasive and complex developmental disorders and community recreation and sports programs for at-risk youth. Participants are referred from across the country.
To strengthen and renew relationships with Indigenous communities, Ranch Ehrlo launched an Indigenous Engagement Guide in March 2025. The guide focuses on four themes that include participants, staff, relationships and communities by reclaiming cultural identity, creating safe spaces for all and making connections that support reconciliation.