Tammy Cook-Searson's tenure as LLRIB chief is nearing its end. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

more than a job

Cook-Searson’s tenure as LLRIB chief called a ‘significant achievement’

Jan 8, 2026 | 5:29 PM

Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) Chief Tammy Cook-Searson’s nearly three decades in leadership is being called a significant achievement in politics.

Those are the words of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation member Réal Carrière, who is an assistant professor in political science at the University of Manitoba. He said there is a high turnover of First Nations chiefs with many only serving one or two terms, so Cook-Searson’s more than 20 years in the position is rather special.

“It is a very challenging job, and when you look at the different types of political representatives that are in Canada, chiefs are very unique in that they deal with such a wide variety of issues. So, it’s not only a significant achievement for being there for 20 years, but having dealt with all the issues and the stress of a job for 20 years is also a very significant achievement,” Carrière remarked.

“After their role in politics, there’s no pension system for chiefs. Once you are out of office, you are kind of back to being a civilian. I’m excited to see what she does. She has so much experience, I’m sure she will find something to keep herself occupied. She’s still young, and I don’t think she’s just retiring.”

Carrière explained it will be a challenging transition for whoever is chosen as the next chief of the LLRIB. He noted with the way First Nations politics work, there are no political parties and whoever is elected will come with their own focus, beliefs and priorities.

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“In Canadian politics, there’s a legacy. If you take over from Justin Trudeau, we see Carney, there’s some things he’s going to be continuing to do and he knows what to do when he comes into that office,” Carrière added.

“In First Nations politics, because there isn’t that legacy piece, the new person who comes in has to start learning from day one what are they are going to do. When they do something, they do their own unique initiatives from day one.”

Being elected to a position held for a long period of time by another person isn’t new to Jordan McPhail, who took over the role as Cumberland MLA from Doyle Vermette in 2024. Vermette had served as an NDP MLA for Cumberland since 2008.

Although he had previous experience as a town councillor, McPhail said it was a challenging transition moving into provincial politics.

“There was obviously some massive shoes to fill with the outgoing MLA Doyle Vermette, who had done an incredible amount of work. He got himself well-known in the communities, and he was always on the road constantly engaging with folks from across Northern Saskatchewan,” McPhail, who is also a LLRIB member, stated.

“For me, getting out into the same communities, listening to the same folks Doyle was listening to and ultimately taking the issues we are hearing from Doyle and bringing them to the provincial legislature, learning all those new things as a newly elected official is always a challenge.”

As for whoever replaces Cook-Searson, McPhail said they will need to be hard working, dedicated and willing to travel long distances.

“Tammy was a great leader in our region. She stood up for the membership, she was always in conversation with people in the region, not only in the North but across Saskatchewan and even into Ottawa. Last year, we seen her attend the Speech from the Throne in Ottawa.

Cook-Searson herself believes her successor will need to be ready for a heavy workload. The LLRIB currently employs nearly 900 staff in its multiple departments, as well as an additional 1,960 through Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership.

She credits her prior experience as a councillor for three terms for preparing her for the responsibility she had in her role as chief. She noted the role comes with opportunities, but many challenges as well.

“LLRIB is a large organization and it is a large nation with many band members,” Cook-Searson said.

“It’s a big responsibility, but it is one of the biggest honours that can be bestowed on someone. For me, it’s been one of my biggest honours to serve as chief for the LLRIB. To have the honour to serve for 20 years has just been really amazing and the greatest experience of my life.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com