Harold Johnson was a well-known lawyer and author who lived near La Ronge. (Submitted photo/Joan Johnson)

By Derek Cornet

bursary

Harold Johnson Fund launched to empower people to change their story

Jun 3, 2022 | 4:17 PM

“It is a good way to frame his life in that he’s still able to empower people to change their stories.”

Those are the words of Joan Johnson, the widow of the late Harold Johnson, about a new bursary fund set up by his family, the Alex Robertson Public Library and the Pahkisimon Nuyeʔáh Library System (PNLS). While details of the fund are still being finalized, Johnson explained a sum of money would be awarded to an individual annually who is making positive improvements in their life.

She noted library board member, Jordan McPhail, reached out to her about starting a fund because the library wanted to celebrate Harold’s life and honour him.

“Harold was a champion of empowering people to be able to change their story,” Joan Johnson said. “That is what we decided to do was to have people submit examples or stories about how they were able to change their story.”

Harold Johnson, 64, was born in Prince Albert in 1957 to a Cree mother and Swedish father. He was raised in Molanosa, where he learned to live off the land until he relocated to La Ronge after his father’s death. Harold Johnson joined the Navy at 17 and later went on to graduate from law school and obtain a master’s degree from Harvard University. He opened a law office in La Ronge before becoming a Crown prosecutor.

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Frustrated with the harms caused by alcohol misuse, Harold Johnson conceived and was the inspiration and face behind the Northern Alcohol Strategy. He was also known as an acclaimed and award-winning author with 11 books published. He has two non-fiction books in the editing process that will be published in 2022-23, one of which is a culmination of his lifetime work, The Power of Story.

Harold Johnson passed away from lung cancer in February 2022.

“He was a man of many talents and we wanted to really honour that with the Alex Robertson Public Library,” McPhail said. “We want to try find a way to make sure we encapsulated Harold’s life and legacy.”

Instruction on how to donate to the Harold Johnson Fund. (Submitted document/Joan Johnson)

All donations made to, and future grants distributed from, the Harold Johnson Fund will be administered by PNLS in collaboration and cooperation with the Alex Robertson Public Library and the family of Harold Johnson. Donations may be made to the Harold Johnson Fund by e-transfer to etransfer@pnls.lib.sk.ca.

To ensure that your donation goes to the correct fund, include “Harold Johnson Fund” in the message field for your e-transfer. Donations may also be made by cheque to PNLS with “Harold Johnson Fund” written in the memo field. Any donations of $20 or greater are also eligible for a tax receipt by contacting PNLS.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno