(Government of Saskatchewan)

By Logan Lehmann

Saskatchewan order of Merit

Former Muskeg Lake Chief awarded with Saskatchewan Order of Merit

Jun 28, 2022 | 4:00 PM

A former Chief and council member from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation has been honoured with the province’s most prestigious award.

On Tuesday, Harry Lafond along with seven other recipients were presented the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, an award that recognizes excellence and achievement from outstanding Saskatchewan citizens.

“It’s a way for people to say thank you for some of the work that I’ve done over the years.”

Lafond was Chief of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation for over 10 years. After his time as Chief, he sat on their council for 17 years, serving as Director of Education and Executive Director of Treaty Commissioner.

“I learned about people, I learned what I like about community development, I learned about human skills like listening and not just casual listening, deep listening. And I learned about problem-solving,” said Lafond. “That’s what the job was about, being able to do that without losing a sense of purpose and vision for the community.”

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

14h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

20h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

He added that he is big on academics, having taught primary school, high school, and post-secondary courses. He even went on to successfully lobby for a new school to be built in Muskeg Lake.

One of his biggest accomplishments, however, was helping to establish Asimakaniseekan Askiy in Saskatoon, Canada’s first-ever urban reserve, something he said took a while to complete.

“It was not easy. It was a lot of relationship-building that had to go on through all those years with the city of Saskatoon and with the different government agencies.”

When asked about the work that he has done, he says that he’s always believed in the final line in the Treaty 6 document:

“‘We must live in harmony and at peace with each other.’ I followed that, that has been my mantra and the work that I do comes from that. I believe that people can recognize the beauty of diversity, live together in harmony, and learn to establish good relationships regardless of what backgrounds they are or where they come from.”

This year’s recipients of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit will join the 258 individuals who have previously been invested.

—

logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann