A service was held Sunday at the cenotaph in La Ronge. (Image Credit: Facebook/La Ronge Legion)

By Derek Cornet

looking back

La Ronge celebrates 100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion

Sep 22, 2026 | 11:46 AM

It’s National Legion Week across the country and the occasion is being celebrated in La Ronge with several events.

This year marks the centenary anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, as well as the 65th year of Branch 371 in La Ronge. The Royal Canadian Legion’s mission is to serve veterans, which includes serving military and RCMP members and their families, to promote remembrance, and to serve communities throughout the country.

“The main goal was for service for the vets, and to support them as much as we could in any way that we could, following along the values and the philosophy of the National Legion, but there hadn’t been one here and so there were some vets who came back,” treasurer Teresa Watt said about the founding of a branch in La Ronge.

“Norman MacAuley was the first interim president until they got their charter. He was kind of the one who spearheaded it, along with a few other folks who were vets as well and wanted to support their fellow vets to see what we could do, as well as give back to the community.”

Events to celebrate National Legion Week began with a service at the cenotaph outside of the town office on Sunday, followed by a Colour Parade to the hall, lunch and small get together. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. until Thursday, the public is invited to an open house at the hall, as well as pulled pork supper fundraiser on Friday starting at 5 p.m.

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La Ronge celebrates 100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion

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When the local branch was first founded all that time ago, Watt explained their focus was a bit different than it is today.

“When they first started, they had no money, they had no building, they were meeting at the local cafe or they were meeting at various different buildings around town, so their focus was to get a building right off the hop and then figure out ways to make some money and to do some fundraising,” she noted.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 371 is located along La Ronge Ave. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

The local branch hosts many fundraisers throughout the year, including TGIFs, selling soup and sandwiches, raffles, trivia nights, hall rentals and their bar. Most recently, the board made donations for the new playgrounds at Gordon Denny Community School and Pre-Cam Community School, and on Friday they will be presenting $35,000 for the new long-term care fundraiser for furnishings.

“Our goal is to give back to the community in the biggest way that we can,” Watt added.

As part of the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th anniversary, a membership for 2026 is free of cost. Anyone interested in a membership is encouraged to apply.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

La Ronge celebrates 100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion

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