Chief Tammy Cook-Searson launched her campaign for the Oct. 21 federal election. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Campaign launch

Cook-Searson launches campaign to represent Liberals in October election

Sep 6, 2019 | 12:31 PM

Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) Chief Tammy Cook-Searson received a standing ovation Thursday as she officially launched her campaign to represent the Liberals in the upcoming election.

“I have the experience and I believe I can be a strong representative for you,” she told her supporters who gathered at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre in La Ronge. “I know together we will be able to be successful in this campaign. Without your support, I won’t be able to make it.”

Cook-Searson talked about the more than 20 years she served as the chief or councillor of the LLRIB. Throughout that time, she stated she worked hard for band members and whole-heartedly worked to resolve any issues that needed to be addressed. For example, when residents were evacuated due to wildfires, Cook-Searson noted it was important for her to make sure lines of communication were open.

Cook-Searson also mentioned some of the commitments the Liberals have made to the North since forming government. She stated the Liberals came through with $12 million for Fond du Lac Airport upgrades, $11.6 million for a mental health and wellness centre, millions for water and wastewater systems and more. Cook-Searson noted the Liberals are also serious about addressing reconciliation in the country with the launch of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry, a commitment to Jordan’s Principal and a recent $100,000 grant to Piwapan Women’s Centre in La Ronge.

“I’ve always pushed for mental health and addictions because I lost my sister to suicide in 2003 and many other people are suffering from addictions and mental health,” she said. “Each and every one of us goes through mental health or addiction issues and it’s something we have to work [on] together.”

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So far, Cook-Searson stated the concerns she’s been hearing from residents include mental health and addictions services, as well as the need for economic prosperity since the mining industry has slowed.

With the writ expected to be dropped in the coming weeks for the election set for Oct. 21, Cook-Searson will take a leave of absence from the LLRIB and there will be an acting chief as she campaigns for votes in the Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River riding. She mentioned she will be campaigning full-time and she hopes to knock on as many doors as possible to hear constituents’ concerns.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno