Bruce McKenzie wants to be the Lac La Ronge Indian Band chief. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

band election

McKenzie looking for support to become LLRIB chief

Mar 17, 2020 | 4:42 PM

Bruce McKenzie of Stanley Mission is campaigning to become chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band three years after his initial attempt.

As an educator and administrator for more than 25 years, McKenzie would like more funding in place for youth programming. He also mentioned there are a lot of at-risk youth who need assistance and many young people who graduate from high school without prospects of a good job.

“They’re not being funded to further their education because there is limited funding for post-secondary education,” he said. “They wander around the reserve wondering what to do, so I want address some of that stuff there [with] meaningful training and trades development that leads to meaningful employment.”

While McKenzie isn’t making any promises if elected as chief, he believes a good chief should accountable, approachable, transparent, visible and available to all communities and band members. He also thinks all members should be treated fairly regardless of the size of the reserve the come from.

Other issues McKenzie would like to address is creating more programming for Elders, as well as subsistence activities like hunting and fishing. He said there’s also a need in the smaller communities for services like health care and policing.

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“I’m busy canvassing communities and knocking on doors talking to people about what they want to see if I get in as chief and what their concerns are,” McKenzie said. “I believe in going door-to-door and asking them questions, then if they have any questions for me and if I can answer them, by all means I will answer them.”

McKenzie holds Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts degrees, as well as a Masters of Education degree with a focus on administration.

Other candidates seeking the three-year term as chief are Tammy Cook-Searson, Natalie Aldridge, James Mckenzie, Eugene Mirasty and Jude Ratt. Election day is March 30 with polls open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., but officials could change the date due to COVID-19.

larongeNOW interviewed five out of six candidates with the exception of James McKenzie who hasn’t been able to be contacted.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: saskjourno