Chief Tammy Cook-Searson believes there's still work for her to do. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

change of heart

Cook-Searson announces LLRIB re-election campaign

Feb 26, 2026 | 4:07 PM

Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) Chief Tammy Cook-Searson will be seeking re-election after all. 

She made the surprise announcement on Thursday after previously informing membership in December 2025 she would not be putting her name forward in the upcoming band election.

However, after a period of reflection and gathering input from community members, Cook-Searson believes there is still work she can do to lead the LLRIB forward.  

“I had a sincere desire to spend more time with my family as a wife, a mother and a kokhum (grandma) and my commitment to my family remains strong, but…right from the start when I announced, I started receiving calls,” she explained. 

“Just getting so many calls from band membership just asking me to reconsider, and the pressure just kept on building, and there was so much support that they wanted me to continue the work. I listened, and many of our Elders have asked me to put my name forward again, and I prayed about it, and at the end, I decided to put my name forward again for re-election.” 

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Next month will mark Cook-Searson’s 21st year as LLRIB chief. She had previously served eight years as a band councillor.

Cook-Searson noted now is an important time for her to remain chief as the band is at, what she calls, a pivotal moment. 

“There’s a lot of stuff that we are working on right now, and there’s momentum and stability,” she added. 

“There are other candidates out there, and it’s a democratic process, and at the end of the day, it will be up to the membership who they want to lead our nation.” 

While a date has yet to be set for the general election, nomination meetings will occur March 13 in all six LLRIB communities from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Aside from chief, there will be 12 councillor vacancies, with four of them being in La Ronge and three in Stanley Mission.  

Others who have already declared their intention to run as chief include Morris Cook, Jude Ratt and John P Roberts.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com