Located in north-central Saskatchewan, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band is the largest First Nation in Saskatchewan, and one of the 10 largest in Canada, with a population of 11843, as of March 1st, 2023. Our reserve lands extend from rich farmlands in central Saskatchewan, all the way north through the boreal forest to the mighty Churchill River and beyond. Our central administration office is located in La Ronge, 241 km north of Prince Albert, on the edge of the Pre-Cambrian Shield. We are proud of our heritage and our Cree language, and of the educational opportunities, economic successes and social development work made possible by many years of strong leadership.
Official Name: Lac La Ronge Indian Band Number: 353
CHIEF & COUNCIL |
|
| Chief | Tammy Cook-Searson |
| Little Red River | John Halkett |
| Little Red River | Keith Mirasty |
| Grandmother’s Bay | Gerald R. McKenzie |
| Hall Lake | Norman P. Ross |
| Sucker River | Devin Bernatchez |
| Stanley Mission | Jimmy Charles |
| Stanley Mission | Robin McKenzie |
| Stanley Mission | Linda A. Charles |
| La Ronge | Charlene Venne |
| La Ronge | Ann R. Ratt |
| La Ronge | Dean Roberts |
| La Ronge | Sam H. Roberts |
Senator: Harry Cook
Council of Elders:
La Ronge
- Bella Sanderson
Sucker River
- Angelique Ratt
Stanley Mission
- Joe P. Roberts
- Sarah Ballantyne
Grandmother’s Bay
- Abel Charles
Little Red River
- Vacant
Hall Lake
- Leonard (George) Halkett
Executive Staff:
- Gladys Christiansen, Executive Director
- Ruth Thomson, Executive Secretary
- Victoria Beatty, Executive Assistant
Senior Management:
- Cynthia Cook, Director Social Development
- Kyla McKenzie, Director of Indian Child and Family Services
- Darryl McCrudden, Director of Finance and Administration
- Kevin Roberts, Director of Sports & Recreation
- Kristianna Merasty, Acting Director of Education
- Mary Carlson, Director of Health Services
- Rizwan Ahmed, Director of Support Services
- Ron Hyggen, CEO of Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership
- Tayven Roberts, Director of Public Works/Housing
Membership Authority: Section 11 by Indian Act
Election System: Band custom
Term of Office: 3 years
Last Election: March 2023
Next Election: March 2026
Council Quorum: 7 of 13
Funding Source: Financial Transfer Agreement
Treaty History & Language:
Territory: Treaty 6, Adhesion
Place of Signing: Molanosa (north end of Montreal Lake)
Date Signed: February 11, 1889
Dominant Language: Woodland Cree
Population:
Total Band Membership: 11843, as of March 1st, 2023.
Reserve Communities & Lands:
The Lac La Ronge Indian Band is composed of six reserve communities and 18 separate reserve lands.
Communities:
- Grandmother’s Bay
- Hall Lake
- La Ronge
- Little Red River
- Stanley Mission
- Sucker River
Political Affiliations:
- Prince Albert Grand Council (regional)
- Federation of Saskatchewan Nations (provincial)
- Assembly of First Nations (national)
The central office in La Ronge administers the band programs for the Lac La Ronge/Kitsaki, Hall Lake, and Sucker River communities in the areas of:
- Administration
- Education, Employment and Training
- Social Development.
- Health Services
- Indian Child and Family Services
- Public Works/Housing Branch (includes Lands Management).
- Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership.
- Woodland Cree Inc.
- Justice Unit
- Day Program
- Keethanow Group of Businesses
The communities of Stanley Mission, Grandmother’s Bay, and Little Red River are self-administered. This arrangement ensures that these communities have more control over their services and programs.