By Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rural Alberta Report
It’s commonly held that some small-town folks who hit it big in the entertainment world may not necessarily appreciate their grassroots. Not so with a world-renowned rock band from Hanna, which did something quite neighbourly for its hometown.
Town of Hanna council heard at its special council meeting Apr. 29 that major recording artists Nickelback, who hail from Hanna, donated tour T-shirts to the municipality; the municipality only had to cover a few related expenses.
The revelation came during a presentation by Hanna Elks spokesperson Sandra Murphy, herself a former town councillor. Murphy stated during her presentation to council that the Hanna Elks, who have performed 50,000 hours of volunteer work within the community between 1999 and 2025, are hosting the provincial Elks conference this June.
Murphy requested that the Town of Hanna donate 130 Nickelback T-shirts to the Elks to place in swag bags, or gift bags, for conference guests.
Coun. Angie Warwick asked staff if the Town of Hanna actually had Nickelback T-shirts available, and in that quantity.
Director of Business and Communication Laurie Armstrong responded yes to both questions and explained the band had donated T-shirts to the town in the past.
“So, on their last tour, they reached out and had some swag left over that they were willing to donate for the cost of shipping,” said Armstrong.
She further explained Nickelback’s promotion company worked with the Town of Hanna and allowed the municipality to pay to have the community’s name printed on the shirts as well.
As councillors discussed the donation, staff clarified that the T-shirts were donated free of charge to the Town of Hanna, with the municipality paying for shipping and customization.
Staff also noted that some shirts have been donated to people from time to time, including when the Town of Hanna receives requests for swag. It was noted town staff handle those requests.
Coun. Warwick responded that she was unaware of that information.
Mayor Danny Povaschuk stated that he saw no reason why the Elks Club’s request could not be accommodated.
Coun. Warwick added that she knew the Elks Club was very active in the community, but she was quite impressed by its charitable efforts.
Three of Nickelback’s four members, Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger and Ryan Peake, all hail from Hanna, while fourth member Daniel Adair is from British Columbia.
The band, described by music journalists as hard rock, alternative rock and pop rock, has been a staple of Canadian FM radio since its breakthrough in 2002. Nickelback is estimated to have sold 50 million albums worldwide and was named Billboard magazine’s most successful rock band of the 2000s.
