Norman Hector MacAuley. Photo courtesy legacy.com

A scholarship is being formed after the death of a La Ronge-born politician last week.

Norman MacAuley died at the age of 98 in Kelowna BC, but spent much of his younger life in the La Ronge area.

Growing up, MacAuley attended the All Saints Residental School and went on to become a fisherman, freighter, Mountie, and tourist camp operator. He also managed government trading stores in Pinehouse and Deschambault Lake.

He served with the Canadian Armed Forces in World War II, and while in Europe met his wife Hetty Smith of London.

MacAuley was elected as the MLA for the Cumberland region in 1975 and served as a member of the NDP until 1982.

After MacAuley’s passing on July 6, his family is establishing a scholarship for Metis students at Churchill Community High School that are seeking post-secondary education.

They’re asking instead of sending flowers, to make memorial donations to the Norman MacAuley Scholarship Fund. MacAuley’s funeral will take place in Kelowna on July 23, and a private internment in the La Ronge Band Cemetery will take place later this summer.