The Lac La Ronge Indian Band (Woods Cree: ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃ ᓵᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᕽ, romanized: mistahi-sâkahikanihk[2]) is a Woodland CreeFirst Nation in northern Saskatchewan, it is the largest Creeband government in Canada and the largest First Nation in Saskatchewan. The administrative centre of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band is located in La Ronge.
History
La Ronge & Stanley Mission Band of Woods Cree Indians became a signatory to the Treaty 6 on February 11, 1889, signed by Chief James Roberts. In 1900 Peter Ballantyne was allowed to separate from the La Ronge and Stanley Mission Band to form the Peter Ballantyne Band of Cree Indians, the predecessor to the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. In 1910, the La Ronge & Stanley Mission Band split into two entities: Amos Charles Band of Cree Indians (located in Stanley Mission) and the James Roberts Band of Cree Indians (located in La Ronge). In 1950, the two Bands amalgamated and became the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, the current legal name.[3]
Reserves and communities
Reserves
Lac La Ronge Indian Band's land-base consists of 18 Indian reserves, some containing one of six communities:[4]
Sucker River 156C—154.80 hectares (382.5 acres)—containing the community of Sucker River
The communities of Stanley Mission, Grandmother's Bay and Little Red River are self-administered. This arrangement ensures that these communities have more control over their services and programs.[5]
The First Nation elects their Council under the Custom Electoral System, consisting of a chief and 12 councillors. The current Council consists of Chief Tammy Cook-Searson and Councillors Devin Bernachez, Michael Bird, Linda Charles, Jimmy Charles, John Halkett, Gerald McKenzie, Keith Mirasty, Ann Ratt, Norman Ross, John Roberts, Sam Roberts, and Dennis Sanderson.[5]