After many years of work, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band hosted an event to recognize role models from the community on Saturday night at the JRMCC.

The award recipients of the Proud to be Woodland Cree event were divided into youth, community and career categories and were presented with a poster, certificate and pin.

Youth Role Models:

  • Seekwun Adams – Grandmother’s Bay
  • Montana Campeau – Little Red River
  • Darcie Dreaver – Little Red River
  • Austin McKenzie – Grandmother’s Bay
  • Darius McKenzie – Stanley Mission
  • Jaedon McKenzie – Stanley Mission
  • Taryn McKenzie – La Ronge
  • Sky Nelson – La Ronge
  • Joseph Ratt – Sucker River
  • Ryanna Torrance – La Ronge

Career Role Models:

  • Crystal Eninew – Prince Albert
  • Karen Maxwell- La Ronge
  • Thomas McKenzie – La Ronge
  • Edna Mirasty- La Ronge
  • Tayven Roberts – La Ronge
  • Wilma Roberts – La Ronge
  • Danielle Stillborn – La Ronge

Community Role Models:

  • Jennifer Beatty – Sucker River
  • Devin Beranchez- Sucker River
  • Abel Charles – Grandmother’s Bay
  • Leonard Halkett- Morin Lake
  • Sandra Halkett- Morin Lake
  • Travis Hegland – La Ronge
  • Irwin Hennie – La Ronge
  • Henry Ratt – Sucker River
  • Janet McKenzie – Stanley Mission
  • Kristen McKenzie – La Ronge
  • Wanda T. McKenzie – Prince Albert
  • Shirley Mirasty – Little Red River
  • Hillard Mirasty – Little Red River
  • Jody Ratt – La Ronge
  • Kevin Roberts – La Ronge
  • Dr. Rose Roberts – Stanley Mission
  • Sally Roberts – Grandmother’s Bay
  • Joseph Roberts – Stanley Mission

“I’ve been recognized before, but this is better because it’s in my home community and it makes me proud,” said, Taryn McKenzie, an award winner in the youth category.

LLRIB Chief, Tammy Cook-Searson, says the event was a smashing success and will continue on an annual basis.

“Next year, what we want to do is have more of a nomination process, where people are nominating people who they feel should be highlighted to be role models within our community,” said Cook-Searson. “It was just really an amazing event.”

Posters of the award winners will be displayed in schools and buildings in the community and are available upon request from the LLRIB office.

Supper and entertainment were also provided as a part of the event.

(PHOTO: Award winners recognized. Photo courtesy of Facebook.com/TammyCookSearson)