REGINA, Sask. — The next great idea, community initiative or personal achievement can begin at any age. A new award program launching in Regina hopes to shine a light on people proving that turning 70 is far from the end of the story.
Nominations are now open for the inaugural Top 7 Over 70 Regina and Southern Saskatchewan awards, presented by Access Communications. The program will recognize seven people aged 70 and older who have started something new or substantially reinvented an earlier pursuit later in life, creating meaningful results and making a difference in their communities.
For Janson Anderson, the program’s communications chair, the initiative is about recognizing people whose contributions can too easily go unnoticed.
“A lot of the time, as people age, there can be a little bit of a tendency to forget about them. And you don't hear about these amazing stories that are happening,” said Anderson.
Anderson has worked in senior care and living for almost nine years. During that time, he has seen firsthand how older adults continue to contribute, lead and inspire.
“I've got to see so many amazing examples of older adults, 70 and up, making an amazing difference every single day,” he said.
The awards are designed to celebrate what people are doing now, rather than simply recognize a lifetime of past accomplishments. Honourees could come from fields including agriculture, business, science, education, health and wellness, arts and culture, philanthropy, volunteerism or community leadership.
“There aren't seven individual awards. It's seven people that have done something to be recognized for that impact and purpose,” Anderson said.
Jim Gray founded the program in Calgary in 2017, and it has since grown into a wider movement celebrating older adults across Canada. Organizers say the response to bringing the program to Regina and southern Saskatchewan has been encouraging, with people asking why this kind of recognition has not arrived sooner.
Event chair Todd Klink said the awards are intended to challenge assumptions about what people can accomplish as they grow older.
“Turning 70 is not the end of someone’s story. It can be the beginning of an extraordinary new chapter,” Klink said. “Top 7 Over 70 will recognize people who continue to create, lead, serve and inspire. Their achievements remind us that experience is an incredible community asset and that meaningful accomplishment has no age limit.”
To be eligible, nominees must be at least 70 years old, live in southern Saskatchewan in the region extending from Davidson south, and demonstrate meaningful progress or impact from a new venture or a significant change in direction after age 70. Each nomination must include a completed form and two letters of support. There is no limit to how many people an individual can nominate.
Anderson hopes the call for nominations will help uncover stories that might otherwise remain in the background.
“We just really want to get the word out there and encourage people to nominate the amazing older adults, adults 70 and up, that are just doing awesome things,” he said.
The seven recipients will be celebrated at a gala on April 28, 2027, at the Turvey Centre in Regina, with former senator Pamela Wallin serving as master of ceremonies. The event will also raise funds for the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan. Award sponsors include Farm Credit Canada, Saskatchewan Community Foundation, Harbour Landing Village and Roots Kitchen & Bar.
Organizers hope the inaugural event will become a recurring celebration in the region, giving more older adults the recognition they deserve and inspiring people of every generation.
Nominations close Jan. 15, 2027. Forms and further information are available at 7Over70SouthSask.ca.
