Norman Hector MacAuley. Photo courtesy legacy.com
The family of former Cumberland MLA Norman MacAuley were reminded of his service to Saskatchewan this week.
MacAuley died at 98 this summer, and served the north as an NDP MLA from 1975 to 1982.
Several of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were present for a tribute in Regina legislature on Tuesday. Tributes were offered by provincial politicians as part of special condolence motions for MacAuley and other politicians who died in recent months.
Premier Brad Wall focused on speaking about MacAuley’s World War II service in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany, as well as the public service he provided when he returned. This included roles as a special constable for the RCMP, operating a trading post in Pinehouse and Deschambault Lake, and many other jobs he held.
“One could rightly ask, what could make him continue to want to serve? Because he could credibly say ‘I have done my public service,’” Wall said.
He said people like MacAuley have done more than their share of public service, yet MacAuley went on to be “a strong voice for the northern constituency.”
Opposition leader Trent Wotherspooon says MacAuley had some very practical experiences before entering politics, as MacAuley “was involved in literally paving the main street of La Ronge, not as minister sending the cheques, but being on the ground paving the main street.”
Wotherspoon says the legislative library believes MacAuley holds a special distinction within the legislature, is the first person on record as speaking Cree in Saskatchewan’s legislature.
MacAuley’s work at trading posts transferred into his work in public office, Wotherspoon said.
He added that MacAuley “built a special bond and relationship with all people in the north, all communities, and certainly that’s epitomized in his service as an MLA, earning that trust.”
Northern MLAs Doyle Vermette and Buckley Belanger also spoke in memory of MacAuley.