Chief Tammy Cook-Searson at a ceremony celebrating the construction of the wellness, treatment and recovery centre. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

milestone

Cook-Searson celebrates 20 years as LLRIB chief

Apr 1, 2025 | 2:55 PM

It’s been two decades since Tammy Cook-Searson has been elected as the chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB).

“It’s pretty amazing,” she said.

“I’m really grateful for the support I have received from the band membership because without the LLRIB membership, I wouldn’t be able to do what I am doing. I am really grateful for all of the years I have been given to serve the community.”

Cook-Searson was elected chief on March 30, 2005, after serving as a councillor for eight years. She took over from now Senator Harry Cook, who served from 1987 to 2005.

There are only two other LLRIB chiefs who have served longer than Cook-Searson. Amos Charles served from 1901 to 1910 as chief of the James Roberts Band and then from 1910-1930 under the Stanley Mission-based Amos Charles Band. Between 1910 and 1946, Joseph Charles was the chief of the James Roberts Band.

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In 1910, James Roberts Band split into two different bands and then amalgamated in 1950 to be known as the LLRIB.

Cook-Searson, center, led the LLRIB through the COVID-19 pandemic. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Cook-Searson is seen at the opening ceremony of the Tony Cote Summer Games. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

When Cook-Searson campaigned to be chief in 2005, she had two young daughters at home and she was pregnant with her son. She credits her husband Jim, as well as her parents and in-laws for stepping up and helping raise her family after she was elected.

“We also had a lot of support from former chief Senator Harry Cook and his wife Rosie,” Cook-Searson said.

“Rosie said to my husband, she said to Jim, ‘I will give you one word of advice,’ and she said patience. It really stuck out because to be a partner of a chief and all the different commitments we had leading our community members and the things that lie ahead you don’t know. There are many challenges, but there’s also many exciting opportunities. There’s also a lot of sacrifices and that patience word has held true. Jim has had to practice his patience all through these years sticking by my side and just helping each other and supporting each other.”

Throughout the last two decades, Cook-Searson has led significant development of reserve lands. Specific projects she is proud of is the construction of the Woodland Wellness Centre and bringing permanent water and sewer services to Morin’s Hill and 101.

“Recently, we have been able to get confirmation from the federal government that the Woodland Wellness Centre will be permanently funded, so instead of going year-to-year and applying for money, it’s permanently funded now,” Cook-Searson explained.

She’s also proud of the ongoing work at Little Red. For instance, she said funding has been secured to build a new fire hall, as well as a new water treatment and sewer facilities in that community. She’s hopeful work on those projects can begin this year.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com