This year's Frontier Days Canada Day Parade theme, Ignite the Spirit of Culture, helped set the tone for choosing a parade marshal. 

Trevor Marion happily accepted the proposal by the Swift Current Ag & Ex and is thrilled to tackle the ambassador duties.  

“It was actually pretty exciting, and something I've never heard of anybody in SIGA achieving,” he said. “Overall, it was it was humbling. Since I moved away a few years ago, I thought maybe that it wouldn't be something that would be bestowed upon me.” 

Now a regional general manager for SIGA, he lived in Swift Current for 13 years of his career helping in the development of the Living Sky Casino. 

According to parade director Andrea Slaven, the vote for Marion as marshal this year was almost unanimous, especially with the overall theme for Frontier Days being Preserving Heritage, Celebrating Diversity. 

“He was chosen due to his constant support and contributions to our community,” she said. “And he definitely believes in inclusion and celebration of all cultures is the way forward. He just constantly gives and gives and gives.” 

Southwest community members will see Marion at the kickoff to Frontier Days, the annual W.W. Smith Pancake Breakfast and Burning of the Brand at Market Square on June 26. While never having participated in a branding of any sort before, the new experience is both scary and exciting to him. 

Following that initial event he will lead the Canada Day parade, falling on June 29 this year, riding in the official marshal Cadillac.  

Marion has been a part of the organization as a member of the board of directors but is looking forward to representing the Swift Current Ag & Ex in a new light this year. 

“I think it's the cultural and diversity piece that they're speaking to this year,” he said when asked why he feels he was chosen. "I spoke to my team at a Living Sky Casino recently in regard to the Powwow; we're going to look to bring that back. Fifteen years ago, people didn't know what the Powwow was ... but years later, here we are. People know what a Powwow is, they're looking forward to it.  

“We brought First Nation culture, First Nation awareness and opportunities and support to the community of Swift Current. And I think a big part of why I was selected this year is because of the work that I've done in those areas.”