Tammy Cook-Searson has been the chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band for more than 20 years. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

moving forward

Northern leaders react to Belanger’s federal win

Apr 30, 2025 | 3:00 PM

Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) Chief Tammy Cook-Searson believes the federal election results on Monday were good for Northern Saskatchewan.

“I think it will probably make a huge difference to have a local person sitting in Ottawa that is with the governing party right now, and hopefully too, it will send a strong message if he was to be considered for a ministerial position to be part of cabinet,” she said.

“It will give a strong voice for the North because we do have a lot of issues we are working on, and we do have a direct contact with MP-elect Buckley Belanger. He knows the issues. He knows some of the issues we have been working on with the Timber Bay Children’s Home. That’s something that I want to put forward with Buckley to help us get that started, so we can have the recognition of the students and their families.”

Cook-Searson explained the LLRIB has shared a good working relationship with the Liberal government, noting there has been progress on water and sewer upgrades, the building of new subdivisions, capital projects, and cultural programming for children and adults. The band was also able to reach a $601.5 million Agricultural Benefits Claim settlement with the Liberals, who also provided $16.1 million to build the Woodland Wellness Centre, which they have also agreed to fund on a permanent basis.

There have also been high profile visits from Liberals to the band’s communities such as former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2023 visit for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Gary Anandasangaree visit in 2024, and Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Chrystia Freeland visit during the recent federal election campaign period.

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Cook-Searson stated she is also proud of the successful work by northerners that went into lobbying for electoral boundary change, which removed a large portion in the Meadow Lake area.

“The MP is more representative of Northern Saskatchewan,” she said.

Cumberland NDP MLA Jordan McPhail also wanted to congratulate Belanger on his win. He said Belanger, who was a longtime NDP MLA in Saskatchewan, has always been a fierce advocate for northerners.

One issue McPhail would like to work with Belanger on is a revamp of the federal Nutrition North program.

“As they review that program, they need to take into strong consideration whether $168 turkeys in Wollaston Lake is acceptable or $20 grapes in Stony Rapids is acceptable, and hopefully they can deliver the relief northerners are expecting,” he said.

“If there are ways I can help get action on the relief for Northern Saskatchewan folks, I am willing to work with anybody.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com