The Northern Village of Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan, Canada
DREERWIN Photography
Capturing Healing: The Transformative Lens
Welcome to the Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan Community Photography Page, where we capture the breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and the heart and soul of our community. Through the lens, we tell the visual story of Sandy Bay, embracing the rich tapestry of First Nations cultures and celebrating the warm and welcoming people who call this place home. Join us on this remarkable journey that showcases our community's authenticity, heritage, and the unique spirit that makes Sandy Bay an extraordinary place to call home.
Sandy Bay, nestled within the boreal forest of northern Saskatchewan, Canada, rests on the banks of the Churchill River, approximately 70 kilometres north of Pelican Narrows. Positioned 190 kilometres northwest of Creighton and Flin Flon via Highway 135 and the Hanson Lake Road, it comprises two integral parts: the Northern Village of Sandy Bay and the Wapaskokimaw 202 Reserve.
This community hosts essential amenities, including a health clinic, a community resource center, a daycare facility, and a comprehensive K-12 school, catering to its population of around 1,200 residents, a quarter of whom belong to the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.
Sandy Bay
Traveller Info
Village office:
Mon to Fri 9 a.m. - 12 noon, 1 - 6 p.m.
24 hr Nursing
Doctor, visits biweekly.
306-754-2165
Email: nvsb@sasktel.net
Latitude: 55.53239° N,
Longitude: -102.3158° W
A Journey from Hydroelectric Origins to Modern Transformations
Sandy Bay's origin traces back to the development of a hydroelectric power station in the late 1920s, primarily to power the adjacent smelters and mines in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Initially situated downstream on the Churchill River, its relocation was encouraged near the future site of the Island Falls Generating Station, eventually altering traditional lifestyles and shaping the community's growth.
The transformation continued as the Island Falls Generating Station reshaped the region, leading to Sandy Bay's establishment as a Local Community Authority in 1965. However, with the station's switch to an automated system in 1966, employment opportunities dwindled. Subsequent developments, like the introduction of an all-weather road in 1967 and the designation as a northern village in the 1980s, brought necessary services but also shifted the community's economic focus toward tourism.
Today, SaskPower oversees the dam's operations, now entirely automated. While the community sustains a local store, residents often access additional supplies and groceries in Flin Flon, Manitoba, reachable via a two-hour drive along gravel and paved highways.
Sandy Bay Photo Galleries
Discover Sandy Bay: Embracing Life in Northern Saskatchewan's Rural Village
Spotlight
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Therapeutic Photography, Pinehouse, Camping, Entertainment, Saskatchewan, aurora, First Nations, Pinehouse Lake, Northern Lights, Youth mental health, Pinehouse Photography Club, Rural Nursing, saskatchewan
first nations and metis, CBC, Therapeutic Photography, CBC The National, Suicide rates in youth, Sandy Bay, Saskatchewan, Dre Erwin Photography, CBC Saskatchewan, Pinehouse, First Nations Community, Northern Lights, Healing through photography, youth mental health, Pinehouse Photography Club, Pinehouse Lake, Stars, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses, Northern Saskatchewan, Dre Erwin, Aurora
Spotlight
New lens on life: using photography to heal from trauma
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Suicide rates for Indigenous youth in Canada are up to seven times higher than for other young people. A remote community in northern Saskatchewan has been hit particularly hard in recent years, but now they're trying to change that, by discovering the healing power of photography.Therapeutic Photography, Youth mental health
Dre Erwin Photography, Pinehouse Photography Club, Therapeutic Photography, youth mental health, Healing through photography, Suicide rates in youth, first nations and metis, First Nations Community, CBC, CBC Saskatchewan, CBC The National, Aurora, Dre Erwin
Welcome to Sandy Bay, a remote and rural village in northern Saskatchewan
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Welcome to Sandy Bay, a remote and rural village in northern Saskatchewan, inhabited by the First Nations community. This place is abundant with beauty, whether it's the stunning landscape, the warm-hearted people, or the rich culture. What we can do is cultivate the habit of seeking the positive aspects of life and being grateful for our blessings, especially for the sake of our children. It's referred to as the law of attraction because too many youngsters are unaware of how to find the beauty in life; instead, they are often trained to focus on the world's hardships and suffering. Sometimes, all it takes is a different perspective to make a significant difference. #SandyBay #FirstNations #CommunityBeauty #LawOfAttraction #positiveperspectiveFirst Nations
Saskatchewan, First Nations Community, Sandy Bay
Northern Saskatchewan Trip #1
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Our adventure yesterday exploring the 914 from Pinehouse to Key Lake mine (as far as we could drive up north). What a beautiful country we live in. Found an old airport with trees growing on the strip that are at least 40 years old! Stopped along some rapids we hiked to, had a fire and cooked hot dogs. MUSIC: Future World - Aqua VitaeEntertainment
Dre Erwin Photography
Northern Lights Photography | Saskatchewan | Dre Erwin
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Northern Lights Photography | SaskatchewanEntertainment, Pinehouse Lake, Saskatchewan
Dre Erwin, Dre Erwin Photography, Northern Saskatchewan, Northern Lights, Pinehouse Lake, Pinehouse Photography Club, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses
Pinehouse Photography Club
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The Pinehouse Photography Club and some of their amazing photography in Saskatchewan. Youth using photography for their mental health.Pinehouse, Pinehouse Photography Club, Youth mental health, Saskatchewan
Pinehouse Photography Club, Pinehouse Lake, Saskatchewan, youth mental health
The Dancing Campfire in the Sky
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There is nothing better then camping along the lake and watching the aurora borealis in northern Saskatchewan!Pinehouse, aurora, saskatchewan, Pinehouse Lake, Camping
Dre Erwin, Northern Saskatchewan, Aurora
Pinehouse Lake?! In the middle of nowhere?
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Who would wanna live down there in Pinehouse Lake?! In the middle of nowhere? Well come see it for yourself...from the people and their culture, to the beautiful landscapes out their back door they call home :) Music: Jason Aldean - Fly over States" I just love the song and the message!Rural Nursing, Pinehouse, Saskatchewan
Dre Erwin, Dre Erwin Photography, Northern Saskatchewan, Pinehouse Lake, Pinehouse, Pinehouse Photography Club, Saskatchewan
Norther Lights Northern Sask Canada Nikon d850
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When we go out aurora hunting we always make it funEntertainment
How photography is transforming & saving lives in northern Saskatchewan
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A club in northern Saskatchewan is helping heal and transform lives in their remote community through their photography. It all started with primary care nurse Dre Erwin, who took up the hobby during a difficult season of his life. READ MORE: Sask. children’s advocate raises alarm bells over Indigenous youth suicide rate RELATED Your Saskatchewan – Saskatoon: December 2017 Young Ontario photographer captures hardship of homelessness One member of the U-19 girls volleyball team from Saskatchewan has been pursuing her dream for years and almost didn't make it. La Loche, Sask. volleyball player pursues dream all the way to NAIG “I try to use photography to try to help people who may have also had the same kind of pain as me,” Erwin said. “Photography saved my life.” One day Erwin brought along a high school student Jonah Natomagan, who had been inspired by Erwin’s work, and almost instantly they shared the same passion. “If I hadn’t gotten introduced to photography, I probably would’ve been with some of my peers, out doing drugs, drinking alcohol,” Jonah said. High school teacher Stephanie Sonnenburg said she’s noticed a big difference in the students involved in the club. “Photography allows the kids to find an outlet for some of their feelings and emotions,” Sonnenburg said. READ MORE: FSIN developing Indigenous suicide prevention strategy The group gathers in the village of Pinehouse, located over 350 kilometres north of Saskatoon, and over 100 kilometres away from the next nearest community, creating a unique set of challenges. “There’s not really much to do here in Pinehouse because there’s so much alcohol and drugs,” said Laura Smith, who is a Pinehouse photography club member. “Isolation leads to a lot of other problems — a lot of coping problems, a lot of mental health problems,” Erwin said. A report on high suicide rates was released by Saskatchewan children’s advocate Corey O’Soup on Tuesday and highlighted the importance of youth having their voices heard in their communities. “Their calls to action is to people in their everyday life — their parents, their peers, the youth, their families, the community – people who can impact them daily,” O’Soup said Tuesday in La Ronge. WATCH BELOW: Coverage of the youth suicide crisis in northern Saskatchewan Sask. children’s advocate raises alarm bells over Indigenous youth suicide rate Sask. children’s advocate raises alarm bells over Indigenous youth suicide rate Sask. children’s advocate raises alarm bells over Indigenous youth suicide rate New research shows alarming trend of suicide among Indigenous youth New research shows alarming trend of suicide among Indigenous youth One suicide, two suicide attempts in La Loche, Sask. last week One suicide, two suicide attempts in La Loche, Sask. last week Saskatoon conference deals with suicide crisis among northern young people Saskatoon conference deals with suicide crisis among northern young people Sask. Children’s Advocate Cory O’Soup dealing with suicide crisis Sask. Children’s Advocate Cory O’Soup dealing with suicide crisis Calls for action from indigenous leaders after another northern suicide crisis in Canada Calls for action from indigenous leaders after another northern suicide crisis in Canada Mental health workers trying to prevent further suicides in northern Saskatchewan Mental health workers trying to prevent further suicides in northern Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall visits northern Saskatchewan amid suicide crisis Premier Brad Wall visits northern Saskatchewan amid suicide crisis Pinehouse’s mental health social worker of 17 years, Caroline Ratt-Misponas, said she has seen significant improvements in the health of the community since the photography club began. “I fully endorse the photography club because I feel that it’s a positive outlet for children and youth especially who can have a positive outlet for grief, depression, loneliness,” Ratt-Misponas said. “I’m really really proud of how far they’ve come in their mental health and well-being.” “By photos you can communicate non-verbally in a safe way,” Grade 8 student Jerrika Natomagan said. “I’m always thinking – how can I make this community the healthiest it can be,” Erwin said. And the healing is spreading to the rest of the community. Brain tumour survivor Trish Natomagan said, “it motivates me to go further in life instead of just focusing on where I’m at.” READ MORE: Help Portrait captures memories for Saskatoon families Laine Boyd started drinking every weekend and entered a period of depression when her husband left her to raise a child alone, but was inspired by seeing Erwin’s photography on social media. “It made me think a different way, that life can be beautiful.” Erwin believes the focus on having a healthy, positive lifestyle has helped his village learn positive coping mechanisms and hopes they can be an example for other isolated communities. “There’s no greater satisfaction for me as a photographer or me as a nurse to hear that you’ve helped someone, no matter what it is,” Erwin said. “I just want to be a role model with this photography to show the kids younger than me that there’s so much more to life than drugs and alcohol,” Jonah said.Dre Erwin Photography, Northern Saskatchewan, Pinehouse Photography Club, Dre Erwin
Rural Access Commercial
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30 sec commercial about nursing in the north :)Rural Nursing
Dre Erwin Photography, Northern Saskatchewan, Pinehouse Photography Club, Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Union of Nurses, Dre Erwin
Saskatchewan Auroras
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Amazing footage of the northern lights from northern SaskatchewanNorthern Lights, Saskatchewan
Northern Saskatchewan, Northern Lights, Dre Erwin, Dre Erwin Photography, Pinehouse, Pinehouse Lake, Pinehouse Photography Club, Saskatchewan, Stars
Tales of Tradition: Embracing Cree and Métis Culture
Dre Erwin Photography
Discover the rich tapestry of Cree and Métis cultures, where stories are woven into traditions, customs, and community heritage. This collection celebrates the vibrant essence and enduring legacy of these resilient peoples, showcasing their diverse traditions, languages, artistry, and cultural richness.
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Dre Erwin Photography
We want to express our sincere gratitude for your presence here. Together, let's embark on a transformative path of inspiration, healing, and making a meaningful difference, be it on a personal or professional level, for ourselves and for others. Uncover the inner beauty and join us in spreading it to those who need it most. Your positive influence begins right here.
Saskatchewan's own:
island "falls" boyz
