Lac La Ronge Indian Band


The Lac La Ronge Indian Band is the largest Cree First Nation band government in La Ronge, Saskatchewan, and one of the 10 largest in Canada, with a 2016 population of 10,408. Its location is in north-central Saskatchewan. They are a Woodland Cree First Nation.
Reserve lands extend from rich farmlands in central Saskatchewan, north through the boreal forest to the Churchill River and beyond. The central administration office is located in La Ronge, 241 km north of Prince Albert, on the edge of the Pre-Cambrian Shield.

History

La Ronge & Stanley Mission Band of Woods Cree Indians became a signatory to the Treaty 6 on February 11, 1889, signed by Chief James Roberts. In 1900 Peter Ballantyne was allowed to separate from the La Ronge and Stanley Mission Band to form the Peter Ballantyne Band of Cree Indians, the predecessor to the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. In 1910, the La Ronge & Stanley Mission Band split into two entities: Amos Charles Band of Cree Indians and the James Roberts Band of Cree Indians. In 1950, the two Bands amalgamated and became the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, the current legal name.

Reserves and communities

Lac La Ronge Indian Band's land-base consists of 18 Indian reserves, some containing one of six communities:
The communities of Stanley Mission and Grandmother's Bay are self-administered. This arrangement ensures that these communities have more control over their services and programs.

Governance

The First Nation elects their Council under the Custom Electoral System, consisting of a chief and 12 councillors. The current Council consists of Chief Tammy Cook-Searson and Councillors Leon Charles, Linda Charles, McIvor Eninew, Lawrence Halkett, Irwin Hennie, Larry McKenzie, Keith Mirasty, Ann Ratt, Bernice Roberts, John Roberts, Sam Roberts, and Cheryline Venne. They were elected for a three-year term beginning April 1, 2014 and ending March 31, 2017.