The La Ronge area got a lot of attention at today’s Northern Excellence Awards in Prince Albert.
The event was organized by New North as part of this week’s Northern Symposium for Safer and Healthier Communities.
La Ronge’s Trudy Connor was named Citizen of the Year for her commitment to volunteering and organizing community events.
The La Ronge-based Scattered Site Outreach Program won the Organization of the Year award for its commitment to vulnerable populations.
La Ronge resident Sheldon Merriman was honoured as the Youth of the Year, mainly for starting the “Thirsty Thursdays” youth outreach program in the community’s downtown.
And La Ronge, Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band were named the Communities of the Year. They were honoured for the development of the Lac La Ronge Community Mobilization HUB, which has facilitated solutions for individuals in high-risk situations.
Other winners included Beauval’s Vivian Bouvier, who received the Elder of the Year award for her involvement in church, school, recreation and community activities — and Cpl. Ron Stenger, who was named the Professional of the Year. Stenger is considered the face of the Aboriginal Community Cadet Corps, which has involved 14 communities and 600 youth since 2011.