Four of Six: LLRIB Chief Candidates [Unofficial] Debate with MBC

Social distancing measures in Saskatchewan have made it impossible for candidates of the local Lac La Ronge Indian Band (or LLRIB) to door-knock, hold public forum, and debate as in elections past.

Voting has moved on-line and will be open until May 25, 2020. 

An informal debate on May 20, 2020 hosted by Local Journalism Initiative Brandon White (of MBCRadio) highlighted informational gaps between certain members and four of the six candidates for the Band's highest seat. These gaps emphasized a "possible need for the band to have a formalized communication's liaison or team", says candidate Jude Ratt (of La Ronge). 

The online debate comes just days before the conclusion of a protracted election cycle, the likes of which the Band has not seen in its 131-year history; for the first time voting was delayed, beginning in mid-to late March before moving online in the wake of the C-19 Pandemic. 

The LLRIB maintains its own elections act, which was modified in 2019 to include more oversight and accountability: namely the installation of an Elections Tribunal, and Commissioner, among other "needed changes that we have been trying to instate for years," says the incumbent Chief Tammy Cook-Searson. 

Throughout the debate, MBC's LJI leveraged questions taken from members of the First Nation, online, with topics ranging from health and tradition, housing (on-and-off Reserve), safety, crime and the future of LLRIB's economy.  Some candidates felt as though the format gave an unfair advantage to the 5-term, nearly 20 year incumbent.  

"We need to look out for urban members, too, and not forget about them," said challenger Eugene Charlie Mirasty, a nearly two-decade educator in the region, and also a ticketed carpenter. Eugene Mirasty's campaign includes an emphasis on the rich talent of woodland artists, and innovative housing solutions like tiny homes, modular sea-can builds, or leveraging the rich northern forests for expanded home building.  

"I think it's fair to say [the security-response to on-reserve members] is inadequate," said challenger Natalie Aldridge, who holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and teaches at a local Indigenous technical college. 

Candidates present for the debate included Tammy Cook-Searson (of La Ronge), Eugene Charlie Mirasty (of La Ronge), Natalie Aldridge (of Air Ronge), and Jude Ratt (of La Ronge); those not able to participate included: Bruce Fredrick McKenzie and James Thomas (Tom J) McKenzie (both of Stanley Mission). 

The panel was moderated by Local Journalist Initiative reporter Brandon White.