Gordon Denny Community School is the only school in Air Ronge. (Village of Air Ronge/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

Wildfire mitigation

Air Ronge resident calls for LLRIB intervention in municipal tree thinning

Feb 16, 2021 | 2:07 PM

Air Ronge resident and Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) member Candace Caisse is asking her First Nation leadership for solidarity in a matter that hits close to home.

Earlier this month, she drafted a letter to LLRIB Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, as well as local councillors Ann Ratt, Sam Roberts, Michael Bird and Dennis Sanderson, stating she’s appalled at the current lack of planning and consultation regarding a tree thinning project in the village.

“We do not believe this project should follow through until we can have consultation, resolution, and agreement,” Caisse wrote. “On behalf of many members in the community of Air Ronge and existing LLRIB band members who reside in this area, we would appreciate a swift response as this matter is time sensitive.”

Air Ronge council has already voted to move ahead with tree thinning near Gordon Denny Community School with similar projects occurring in La Ronge near the hospital and airport. It’s part of wildfire mitigation efforts currently underway by the provincial government.

Caisse believes the thinning will have a detrimental impact on the environment and will potentially cause the land to dry out. She’s also not happy with the job done behind Stinson St., noting the large piles of brush are an even bigger fire hazard.

Weekend hockey

PAGC set to host largest Senator's Cup tournament to date

4h ago

Riderville

Riders Have Options Heading into Tuesday CFL Draft

6h ago

health care

RBC Foundation gifts $7,500 to assist in training La Ronge nurses

Apr 24, 2024

“As this project is a shock to many, we ask for your support in having full consultation between community members, LLRIB members, and tri-community councils,” Caisse wrote. “There needs to be an open discussion and consultation for people in our community along with a layout with a sustainability management plan and/or impact assessment for what is being proposed from this project.”

As a First Nation individual, Caisse mentioned she still has an Aboriginal right to use the land traditionally in Air Ronge. She said she’s used the area set for thinning to gather medicine in the past.

“I was hoping chief and council could help me along the way to be recognized as an Aboriginal Person because we do have rights still on this land,” Caisse said.

larongeNOW reached out to Cook-Searson for a comment, but didn’t receive a response by the time of publishing.

—

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno