La Ronge, August 2, 2022 (Tuesday): The LLRIB community of La Ronge is proud to host the 2022 Woodland Cree Gathering, August 23 – 25, 2022. The Gathering is an opportunity for the three Woodland Cree First Nations: Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Peter Ballanytne Cree Nation and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band to gather and collaborate on common issues and to build on our strengths.
Organizers of this year’s event anticipate an excellent turnout largely in part to a busy itinerary including cultural activities, recreational events, children’s festivities, music and dance showcases and a political forum that will take place in the various venues and locations throughout the community of La Ronge. The majority of events will take place at the Kiskinwuhumatowin Reserve located at downtown La Ronge.
As part of the Gathering, a legacy monument will be unveiled at the old residential school grounds on the new urban reserve. This year’s event falls on the 133rd anniversary to the adhesion signing of Treaty 6, signed on February 11, 1889 by Chief James Roberts and Chief William Charles at Molanosa, located on the north end of Montreal Lake.
“As host of the Woodland Cree Gathering, we invite and welcome everyone to come and celebrate with us at this exciting event,” stated Chief Tammy Cook-Searson. “The Woodland Cree have a long-standing alliance of friendship, partnership, unity and co-operation, this gathering will focus on building on our strengths as we unite.”
Event co-chairs, councillors Sam Roberts and Devin Bernatchez, are very pleased and excited to showcase the strengths of our community. This year’s theme for the Woodland Cree Gathering is, Reconnecting with our People, Culture, History & Communities. The theme positively captures the overall purpose and vision of the events and activities planned for the threeday event.
The Lac La Ronge Indian Band is a Woodland Cree First Nation, with a membership of 11,370 on and off-reserve and comprises 19 separate reserve lands in the communities of La Ronge, Stanley Mission, Grandmother’s Bay, Sucker River, Hall Lake and Little Red Reserve.
Submitted by Gordon Dupre