Russ Mirasty is making a Northern Saskatchewan swing this week, hitting six communities along the way.
Mirasty, Saskatchewan’s first Indigenous lieutenant-governor, is there presenting the Northern Student Achievement Awards to multiple students ranging from grades 7 – 12.
The awards are based on academic excellence, school attendance, involvement in extra-curricular activities at school and in the community and involvement in cultural activities.
“Since this award program was established by the Ministry of Education in 1989, each [lieutenant governor] has travelled to the North in the fall to present the awards,” said Carolyn Speirs, communication manager for the lt-gov. “This is the first lieutenant governor who is from the North. Mirasty graduated from grade 12 in La Ronge and will be returning to his school to present an award this year.”
In addition to presenting the six awards, Mirasty is also meeting with the La Ronge Health Centre to bring awareness to the Embracing Life Initiative.
The Embracing Life Initiative website states its mission “is a call for action to reduce suicide by sharing the strengths of communities and working together through health promotion, suicide prevention, intervention and post-vention.”
“Mirasty is a known relationship-builder,” said Speirs about Mirasty’s plans for progressing the faulted government-First Nations relations. “[He] has taken part in numerous events in Indigenous communities and has welcomed Indigenous leaders to Government House.
“He has honoured Indigenous traditions and chose to begin his installation day in September with a Pipe Ceremony at Government House in Regina.”
Being Saskatchewan’s first Indigenous lieutenant governor, there has been added coverage to Mirasty’s visit to some of the province’s most northern communities.
The former RCMP assistant commissioner has been “enthusiastically received by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities,” according to his office. “Saskatchewan has a vibrant Indigenous community, with members that contribute in all facets of life in our province. Mirasty is well qualified for the role of LG through his experience in policing and education.”
Residents of the six northern communities were reached out to but no one was found to comment on Mirasty’s visits.
Mirasty was in Ile-a-la-Crosse and Buffalo Narrows on Monday and continues his visits Tuesday in Pinehouse Lake and Southend. His trip finishes Wednesday in Creighton and La Ronge.
