Sally Cooke Venne, right, is one of three of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers recipients in the region. (Submitted photo/Sally Cooke Venne)

By Derek Cornet

recognition

Three northern ski enthusiasts honoured with national volunteerism award

Apr 22, 2021 | 5:29 PM

Three northerners have been awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Governor General of Canada.

Sally Cooke Venne of Sucker River, along with La Ronge area couple Sid Robinson and Hilary Johnstone, are the recipients of the prestigious national award which was announced this week. In the reasoning for their recognition, all three were credited with their commitment to providing skiing opportunities in Northern Saskatchewan.

Venne founded the Sucker River Cross-Country Ski and Canoe Program in 2007 and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band member has been providing youth with high-level ski training and racing opportunities ever since. She’s credited with fostering resiliency and self-confidence among the community’s youth and has helped them achieve their goals.

“It was a surprise and I am very honoured,” Venne said. “I would like to mention there is a lot of excellent and dedicated volunteers in the La Ronge area. I feel so honoured for getting the award, because I like working with kids and the skiing is something I really enjoy doing. It keeps me healthy and strong. It’s a win-win all the way around.”

Venne explained up to 20 youth participate in her programs throughout the year with dryland training in the fall, skiing in the winter and canoeing in the summer. She noted there’s now a ski culture in the community. During the coronavirus pandemic, they worked to build more ski trails near Sucker River.

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Venne also mentioned her programming provides students with travel opportunities like a past trip to Lake Louise for skiing. She said when word gets out in Sucker River about such events, local youth are more willing to participate.

Sid Robinson has been involved with the La Ronge Nordic Ski Club since the 1980s. (Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race/Facebook)

Hilary Johnstone has a passion for skiing and the outdoors and got involved with the La Ronge Nordic Ski Club in the 1990s. (Saskatchewan Craft Council)

“I really should credit La Ronge Nordic Ski Club including Sid, Hilary and Jody Laliberte and their many volunteers for making it possible for me to involve so many kids over the years,” Venne said.

Robinson and Johnstone received the award for their more than 30 years of dedication to the La Ronge Nordic Ski Club. Johnstone said it was her husband who got her involved, first by volunteering at races and gradually moving on to coaching.

“My first thought is there are so many deserving people that I don’t quite know what to say,” Johnstone said about receiving the award. “I’m very happy somebody saw fit to nominate me. I really enjoyed all my years helping the La Ronge Nordic Ski Club, so coaching kids has been very enjoyable and sharing my love for the sport. It’s kind of nice to bring La Ronge and the cross-country skiing into the focus of other people by seeing this award.”

Robinson and Johnstone have been heavily involved in the ski club with each taking on multiple roles throughout the years. Johnstone mentioned she personally stays involved because of her love for the sport, how it is easy it is on her body and that it’s a good activity in the winter.

“That’s what I love best about it is just being alone out in the bush on skis,” she said. “You can move quite quickly across the country and see a lot of terrain when you’re skiing.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno