Tammy Cook-Searson is back as LLRIB chief for at least another month. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

council reinstated

Cook-Searson and fellow councillors being updated on current LLRIB emergency plan

Mar 27, 2020 | 12:36 PM

The reinstated Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) council has been busy with emergency meetings since being called back to their positions Thursday.

“Everything was going as a normal campaign would go, but of course everything started to change about March 12,” LLRIB Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said. “From there, the elections tribunal was meeting and accessing the situation of what was happening. We were waiting as candidates to see what the elections tribunal was going to decide.”

Members of the tribunal ended up making the decision Wednesday to postpone the election and recall council, which Cook-Searson said she doesn’t believe has ever been done before. The terms of council have been extended to at least April 30 if not longer.

Council is currently being briefed about the situation because Cook-Searson noted none of them have been involved in any of the emergency planning which occurred during the campaign period. She said management, staff and volunteers have already been busy implementing those plans.

“We’re meeting with the emergency management group this morning and then we’ll be fully briefed on everything going on,” Cook-Searson said. “There’s also been meetings with Prince Albert Grand Council, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and nationally. There’s a lot of different meetings happening that I have to be part of as the chief and also the councillors too.”

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In regards to an internal documented obtain by the CBC from the federal government’s Indigenous Governance Operations Directorate, she said the LLRIB doesn’t need to follow the order because the band has its own custom Election Act. The internal document stated First Nations had the right to postpone elections, but aren’t allowed to extend the terms of current leaders.

“We had the band’s legal council in our meeting all day yesterday with us,” Cook-Searson said. “Because we’re not part of the Indian Act when it comes to elections, we’re custom election, so we don’t fall under that.”

Now that council is back, Cook-Searson mentioned they are available to help in any way they can. She said the health and safety of communities are their top priority and they will work with the LLRIB Emergency Control Group to review their emergency response plan.

“We would like to thank management and staff and community volunteers for the work they have done,” Cook-Searson said. “We will continue to need their help and support during these times.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno