Nicole Goldsworthy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SaskToday.ca
LAC LA RONGE INDIAN BAND — Tammy Cook-Searson has been re-elected chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) following the band’s March 30 general election.
Official results show Cook-Searson received 2,089 votes. Her nearest challenger was Jude Ratt with 926 votes, followed by Larry Roberts with 533 and Bruce Fredrick McKenzie with 379.
A total of 3,927 valid votes were cast in the chief’s race, with 27 ballots spoiled. Overall turnout reached 3,954 voters, including electronic and in-person ballots across all communities.
Cook-Searson led in several areas, including 915 electronic votes, 396 in Stanley Mission (Section 5) and 394 in La Ronge (Section 6).
Councillors were also elected across LLRIB’s six sections.
In Section 1 (Little Red River Reserves 106C and 106D), Keith Mirasty was elected with 156 votes, alongside Tracey Halkett with 96.
In Section 2 (Grandmother’s Bay Reserve 219), Nora Charles was elected with 97 votes.
In Section 3 (Morin Lake Reserve 217), Joseph Ratt received 93 votes.
In Section 4 (Sucker River Reserve 156C), Korie Ratt was elected by acclamation.
Section 5 (Stanley Mission Reserve 157) elected three councillors: Jimmy B. Charles with 684 votes, Linda Ann Charles with 544, and Corey Ballentyne Roberts with 501.
In Section 6 (La Ronge and Kitsaki Reserves 156 and 156B), Dean C. Roberts led with 1,006 votes, followed by Ann Ratt with 957, C. Charlene Venne with 737, and Sam (Chox) Roberts with 620.
Election tribunal chair Gladys Christiansen thanked election staff and participants for their efforts in a public notice.
Approximately 80 members were involved in organizing and running the election, including chief electoral officer Milt Burns and assistant Carol Burns.
“We would like to thank all the elections staff that worked tirelessly to ensure that every vote was counted,” the notice stated.
