Detachment Services Assistant Pauline Ratt-Misponas can converse and provide RCMP assistance in Cree. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Cree Support

Cree services now offered at LLRIB RCMP detachment

Feb 22, 2019 | 1:32 PM

Services in Cree are now being offered at the RCMP detachment on the Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s 101 Reserve.

Detachment Service Assistant Pauline Ratt-Misponas joined staff at the office in November after training at the main detachment in town for a couple of months. She served in the same role in Pinehouse Lake for 10 years and is a fluent Cree speaker. Ratt-Misponas is also a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and she’s ready to assist the public in several ways.

“I can converse in Cree, so if an Elder calls in, I can speak to them in Cree,” she said. “We might have different dialects, but we’d still understand each other. What I notice is when they realize I can talk to them in Cree, their tone changes. They’re more comfortable. I think it easier for Elders; it makes them at ease.”

Located at 401 Francis Roberts St., Ratt-Misponas offers on the spot criminal record checks and can receive complaints from residents to dispatch officers. She works at the office Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and she’s looking forward to meeting the needs of locals.

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La Ronge detachment commander Staff Sgt. Kyle Watson said he’s pleased to have Ratt-Misponas working in the space, adding her services are filling a gap between the community and the RCMP. He stated they introduced her to staff at the band office a couple months ago and she seemed to be well-received by the public. Watson also stated it should be helpful band members can be provided additional services like criminal record checks closer to home.

“Being right there to have that access and connection with the community and the RCMP is fabulous,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for anyone better than her being there in that role.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno