Christopher Merasty founded Men of the North in La Ronge in January 2020. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

mental health

Men of the North expands to Cumberland House

Apr 7, 2025 | 1:52 PM

Men of the North will be officially expanding into Cumberland House.

The process in doing so began about a year and half ago after the health director of the Victoria Laliberte Memorial Health Centre reached out to Men of the North founder Christopher Merasty. Since then, Merasty has led several introductory presentations about what Men of the North has to offer, and he said the time has come to officially expand.

“We had over 60-plus community members engaged through presentations and group discussions,” he explained.

“Tonight, we are doing a workshop here at the Victoria Laliberte Memorial Health Centre. It will be our first workshop where we focus on listening [and] understanding local realities, and then building the relationship and trust within the community, allowing them to know what we are doing, what we are about, what we can offer.”

In the coming weeks, Men of the North will hire a full-time program coordinator in Cumberland House, as well as seek space for a support centre.

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“We’re not coming into Cumberland House to tell Cumberland House what to do,” Merasty remarked.

“We’re only coming in to walk alongside Cumberland House to plant the seeds of healing for the men and boys within the community. I know with the small steps that we can provide, healing doesn’t happen overnight, but it begins by just showing up and being part of something bigger.”

The agenda for the first Men of the North workshop in Cumberland House. (Facebook/Men of the North)

Merasty founded Men of the North in La Ronge in January 2020. Since then, the organization has implemented several programs aimed at mental health and wellness that have been impactful for communities in which it serves.

Merasty is hopeful Men of the North will be active in more communities in the next few years. It has already done outreach in places such as Buffalo Narrows and Prince Albert.

“I do know what we have done in La Ronge has created waves and ripple effects and has helped a lot of individuals within the tri-community. I don’t see why this program can’t help other communities as well,” he said.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com