Regina Leader-Post photojournalist Kayle Neis spent 2025 crisscrossing Saskatchewan, using his camera to document the province's most compelling stories. From the pinnacle of national sports glory to the quiet moments of everyday life and the harsh reality of natural disasters, his lens captured a diverse tapestry of the year. Out of thousands of frames, a select few have left an indelible mark, representing the key moments that have stayed with him.
A Year of Triumph and Celebration
The year's sporting highlights provided some of its most iconic images. On November 22, 2025, at Regina's Mosaic Stadium, the Montreal Carabins achieved a monumental victory in the Vanier Cup, defeating the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Neis captured the euphoric scene of players dumping water on head coach Marco Iadeluca in celebration. Just days earlier, on November 18, 2025, the Grey Cup parade in Regina saw Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Ajou Ajou proudly carrying the coveted trophy at the legislative building.
Other athletic pursuits were also framed by Neis's camera. On March 21, 2025, Johari Hastings of Wilfrid Laurier University was photographed powering through the 40-yard dash during the CFL Combine at Regina's AffinityPlex. The summer baseball season saw the Regina Red Sox in action, with players warming up before Game 1 of the Western Canadian Baseball League final at Currie Field on August 14, 2025.
Intimate Portraits and Provincial Life
Beyond the stadium lights, Neis turned his focus to the people and quieter scenes that define Saskatchewan. On May 18, 2025, in Dysart, Sask., he photographed brothers Nicholas and Michael Torrie enjoying a simple pleasure: going down a slide at a park near their new home. In Regina, on May 5, 2025, Glen Elm Trailer Court resident Marleen Obrigewitsch shared a quiet moment inside her home, posing for a portrait with her cats, Mr. Aly and Mr. Buddha.
The province's character was further revealed through its residents. On September 10, 2025, in North Portal, Sask., former mayor Murray Arnold stood for a portrait inside a landscaping shed at the Gateway Cities Golf Club. In Regina, on August 21, 2025, Erik Nickel, chief operating officer of the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, was photographed at the centre.
Contrasts of Nature and Community
Neis's work in 2025 also underscored the powerful and sometimes devastating forces of nature. On May 31, 2025, a wildfire ripped through northern Saskatchewan, and his photograph of the scorched earth surrounding the hamlet of Weyakwin served as a stark reminder of the event's destructive power.
In contrast, a serene moment was captured on August 14, 2025 at Mount Pleasant during a Regina Red Sox game, where birds were photographed flying over two people sitting peacefully on a bench, illustrating the blend of community leisure and the natural world.
Together, these curated images from Kayle Neis offer a profound visual narrative of Saskatchewan in 2025. They chronicle a year of intense emotion, from collective joy and personal reflection to resilience in the face of adversity, solidifying the role of photojournalism in telling the province's ongoing story.
