Former head of RCMP in Saskatchewan named province’s lieutenant governor

Russell Mirasty is an outstanding leader who served 36 years in the RCMP and paved the way for Indigenous peoples in the national police force. I know he’ll keep making a difference for people in Saskatchewan in his new role as Lieutenant Governor. https://t.co/TfXbdniyYX

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 17, 2019

OTTAWA — A former head of the RCMP in Saskatchewan has been appointed the province’s new lieutenant-governor.

Russell Mirasty becomes Saskatchewan’s 23rd vice-regal representative.

He takes over from Thomas Molloy, who died earlier this month at age 78 from pancreatic cancer.

Mirasty, whose first language is Cree, is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in northern Saskatchewan and had a 36-year career with the RCMP.

He was the first Indigenous person to command a division of the Mounties.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says in a news release that Mirasty’s new role is in keeping with the dedicated public service he has given for much of his life.

“Known as a relationship-builder, Mr. Mirasty is an outstanding leader who paved the way for Indigenous peoples in the national police force,” Trudeau said in the release Wednesday.

“As lieutenant-governor of Saskatchewan, I know he will continue to make a difference for the people of his province and all Canadians, and inspire others to create change in their communities.”

Lieutenant-governors are the personal representatives of the Queen in their respective provinces and fulfil her roles and functions, including granting royal assent to provincial laws and visiting communities.

Their constitutional and ceremonial duties include presiding over the swearing-in of premiers, cabinet members and chief justices.

Mirasty joined the RCMP in 1976 and was one of only two Indigenous cadets in his troop at Depot Division in Regina. He served in various roles across the country, including as director general of National Aboriginal Policing Services and as Saskatchewan’s commanding officer.

After his retirement from the RCMP in 2013, he helped lead a provincewide consultation with students, parents and teachers on how to improve the education system.

He was also appointed to Saskatchewan’s advisory group on poverty reduction.