Author: kevinroberts

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LLRIB Family Wellness Conference 2025

Posted by Lac La Ronge Indian Band

LLRIB Family Wellness Conference draws more than 1,600 participants, celebrating culture, healing and community strength(Treaty 6 Territory, Woodland Cree) Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Sask.

– More than 1,600 people participated in the Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s (LLRIB) Family Wellness Conference this week, a successful three-day event that brought together families, Elders, youth and leaders to focus on wellness, cultural connection and healing.

Held July 8th to the 10th at the La Ronge Urban Reserve, the conference addressed urgent community issues including mental health, addiction recovery, intergenerational trauma and the impacts of wildfire displacement.

The event featured keynote speakers, cultural activities, hands-on workshops and entertainment for all ages.

“This conference was about coming together in a good way and creating a space for healing,” said Chief Tammy Cook-Searson. “We are proud of the response and the strength our community has shown.”

The speaker lineup included national voices such as Guy Felicella, harm reduction advocate; Waneek Horn-Miller, Olympian and youth role model; Joe Calendino, former gang member and youth mentor; and La Ronge’s own Joey Genereaux, who shared a message of resilience and personal growth.

Local speakers also played a central role, including:

•Leonard Halkett – Elder and Knowledge Keeper

•LLRIB Councillor Linda Charles

•LLRIB Councillor Gerald McKenzie and Franklin Carriere – King Trapper demonstration and Life of a Trapper

•Sally Ratt – Suicide awareness•Laurie Roberts – Community health worker

•Sandra and Joe Ratt – Career mentors

•Cody Demerais – Youth wellness speaker

•Keith Goulet – Importance of Cree language

•Russ Mirasty – Former lieutenant-governor of Saskatchewan and retired RCMP

•Staff Sgt. Derek Eberle

•Michael McCormick – Northlands College

A youth sports panel featuring local athletes and coaches was held on Day 2, emphasizing physical wellness, teamwork and the role of sport in community building.

The Cultural and Healing Village featured moosehide tanning, birch bark crafts, fish net making, traditional medicine, beading, art therapy and more. Two community-built skiffs were completed and given away to Jamie Misponas and Hudson Venne, honouring the return of traditional canoe-building knowledge.

Daily meals, a petting zoo, bouncy castles and family activities made the event welcoming for all ages. Evening programming included an open mic night, jigging contest, live entertainment and a movie night in the park.

Chief Cook-Searson said the conference was a step forward in how the Nation is addressing complex social issues through culturally grounded, community-driven approaches.“Healing takes time, but this conference showed the power of what we can do when we come together,” said Cook-Searson. “By grounding our efforts in culture, community and care, we’re moving forward together in a good way.”

The event was hosted by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band with support from the Town of La Ronge, Piwapan Women’s Centre, Kitsaki Management, Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, Cameco, La Ronge Band Health Services, LLRIB Indian Child and Family Services, Northlands College, and other community partners.

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Deposits are due July 14th, 2025 by noon!

Posted by Nichole Charles

REMINDER: Deposits are due July 14th, 2025 by noon!

1. Urban C&C- Tami McKenzie

2. Pirates- Travis Cook

3. Rez Balls- Crystal McKay

4. Sugar Rush- Catlin McDougall

5. Team ABC- Patrick

6. Puffs Angels- Jennifer Beatty

7. Ahtahkakoop

8. Hawks- Paul Sanderson

Some teams have paid their deposit already so let’s get those deposits in 🤗 jrmccfitness@gmail.com.

Please include team name, your name & “babz memorial” in the notes when sending your deposits.

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Wildfire Community Protection Planning

Shared by Lac La Ronge Indian Band

Wildfire Community Protection Planning This updated is intended to keep you informed on the wildfire situation near Missinipi and Grandmother’s Bay. While there is no immediate threat to our communities, we are working closely with emergency teams and taking proactive steps to protect our community members, homes, and important sites.

🔥 Pisew Fire Status

•The Pisew Fire now covers 193,622 hectares and is 86% contained.

•The northeast corner remains uncontained, with a 7-km spread recorded overnight. Thick smoke has made it unsafe for crews in that area.

•The fire is 9 km from Bartlett Lake, which is 15 km from Missinipi, keeping a safety buffer of 25–30 km from the community.

•The recent rainfall and favourable winds are helping to slow fire activity.

🛡️ Community Protection•Town protection plans for Grandmother’s Bay and Missinipi are underway. Fire guards and vehicles are in place or en route.•Aerial patrols are being used to monitor unstaffed zones for any changes.•Crews are in regular contact with community leaders to ensure preparedness.

🌫️ Air Quality Update•Air quality is mostly manageable, but smoke levels have exceeded 300 PM 2.5 at times.

•No widespread health alerts are being issued, but sensitive individuals (e.g., Elders, people with heart/lung conditions) should be cautious.

•Fresh air shelters and medical support are available if needed.

•Winds may shift and cause smoke to linger longer in Sucker River, La Ronge, and Hall Lake from Monday afternoon into Tuesday.

🗣️ What’s Next•Daily update meetings will be held to keep information flowing to the community.

•The next meeting is Monday, July 14 at 1:00 PM.

•Community members will be kept informed through regular notices.

Even though the fire is not immediately threatening our communities, we are preparing as if it could be.

I want to assure you that Missinipi and Grandmother’s Bay are being treated as one community in this response.

We are working together—across all levels—to keep our community members safe.

We continue to keep our families, firefighters, and all affected communities in our prayers. Please stay safe and check in on those who may need extra help during this time.In unity and care.

— Chief Tammy Cook-SearsonLac La Ronge Indian Band Emergency Operations CentreEmergency Operations Centre

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Deposits are due July 14th 🤗

Posted by Nichole Charles

REMINDER: Deposits are due July 14th, 2025 by noon!

  1. Urban C&C- Tami McKenzie
  2. Pirates- Travis Cook
  3. Rez Balls- Crystal McKay
  4. Sugar Rush- Catlin McDougall
  5. Team ABC- Patrick
  6. Puffs Angels- Jennifer Beatty
  7. Ahtahkakoop
  8. Hawks- Paul Sanderson

Some teams have paid their deposit already so let’s get those deposits in 🤗

Jrmccfitness@gmail.com

Please include team name, your name & “babz memorial” in the notes when sending your deposits.

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