Jeptha Ross is not shy about performing. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Arts

Northern Youth tune up for arts showcase

Feb 18, 2026 | 12:43 PM

Cradling a small fiddle, Jeptha Ross says he looks forward to playing his music for a large audience.

The 17-year-old from Sucker River is among 45 youth participating in Thursday night’s Northern Spirits show at the EA Rawlinson Centre. Ross has only playing for two years and is essentially self-taught.

 “I just picked it up and started playing,” he said, adding he plays the Red River Jig and writes his own songs too.

17 year old Jeptha Ross warms up for Thursday night’s Northern Spirits show at the @EARawlinsonCent pic.twitter.com/hAWauB6yfN

— Nigel Maxwell (@NigelMaxwell) February 18, 2026

Kyle Kimbley is helping organize this years show and admitted to paNOW he was blown away by the talented youth who come from all corners of northern Saskatchewan including Wollaston Lake, Black Lake and La Ronge.

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“I was fully expecting a bunch of shy kids and the first day a lot of them jumped on stage right away,” he said.

Kimbley added Thursday night’s show will offer something for everyone as there is singing and acting and also cultural performers such as jingle dress and hand drum singing.

And while 25 youth will perform for the audience, the rest will be helping with production and other work that’s required behind the scenes.

“The biggest thing is getting these youth out of their shells, showing them there’s opportunity for them, there are people out there who care about them and their talent is not just something they just play by themselves in their bedrooms,” Kimbley said.

 “They are worth it and we are gonna show they are worth it by putting them on that stage”

Wednesday’s activities included a lip-sync competition. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Mecah Dorion lives in Prince Albert but has family connections in Pelican Narrows. She plans to sing and act.

“I have been on stage before but I’ve always been like in the background and not like front and centre like I’m gonna to do now,” she said.

“I have some anxiety about it but I’m feeling pretty good about it because there are so many people here that I know and I feel comfortable.”

Thursday night’s show starts at 7p.m.

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell