The Stanley Mission Poker Rally serves as a fundraiser and way to bring visitors to the community. (Submitted photo/Gordon Hardlotte)

By Derek Cornet

fundraiser

Stanley Mission Poker Rally most successful on record

Jan 28, 2025 | 2:59 PM

The annual Stanley Mission Poker Rally held Jan. 25 sold the most hands in its 28-year history.

That’s according to Stanley Mission director of operations Gordon Hardlotte, who explained a total of 5,529 hands were sold.

The grand winner of the fundraiser was Rubyjane McKenzie who was awarded $25,000, followed by Joseph Tsannie in second with $10,000 and Nancy McKenzie in third with $5,000.

In addition, the largest ever nomakee (side bet) prize was awarded to Marjorie Charles in the amount of $26,500. Jaylene Roberts also rode away in a new snow machine.

“It’s huge. It brings in a lot of people and there’s a lot of work to host it,” Hardlotte said, adding the poker rally serves as a fundraiser and a way to bring new people to the community.

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“I got talking to some of the people who were going around. One group was asking how to book at Jim’s Camp at Nistowiak in the summer. It’s a great way for them to see the North. It’s the first time they seen the falls.”

Hardlotte believes the poker rally was especially busy this year due to the cows and plows payments that recently went out to band members. He noted many people bought snow machines and were eager to participate in the rally.

The rally serves as a major fundraiser for Stanley Mission. Profits go towards operations at the local indoor rink, as well as occasionally minor hockey and the organization of hockey tournaments.

There are two other upcoming rallies northerners can look forward to including the Grandmother’s Bay (Gilbert McKenzie Memorial) Poker Rally on Feb. 15 with a $25,000 grand prize, as well as the La Ronge Ice Wolves Poker Rally set for March 8 with a $10,000 grand prize.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com