Former Treaty Commissioner honoured for community service
- EFN Staff | June 21, 2016
George Lafond had served the public in Tribal and Federal politics, education and business for the past 35 years. Having just finished a stint as the Treaty Commissioner for Saskatchewan, he received a call from the Provincial Protocol office informing him that because of his exemplary service to the community he was going to be a recipient of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.
“It was actually profoundly sobering,” said Lafond on a phone call between board meetings from Ottawa. “My first thought was what did I do to deserve this then it turned to thoughts on my 35 years of public service and how lucky I was to be surrounded by great people.”
The Saskatchewan Order of Merit is a prestigious recognition of excellence, achievement and contributions to the social, cultural and economic well being of the province and its residents. It takes precedence over all other provincial honours and awards and is Saskatchewan’s highest honour.
Related: Aboriginal community leaders recipients of Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Not only did Lafond join the ranks of 219 esteemed Saskatchewanians, he joined his mom Alpha Lafond who also is an Order of Merit recipient. “My second thought was for my mom. She received the award in 1985. She was a great mom. A leader, a Chief and she also raised six kids on the reserve. She did not too bad in my books.”
Lafond joined ten other recipients this year, amongst them business leaders and community builders like Isabelle Impey. “It is humbling when you look at the accomplishments of the other recipients, especially Isabelle Impey. She gives of herself daily and has created a family that is changing Saskatchewan,” said Lafond. “I also noticed that 8 of the 10 recipients had some sort of tie to the University of Saskatchewan. One of my favourite assignments was working at the University, and I am proud to be an alumnus of a place that consistently punches above its weight.”
Related: Book explores a new age in Treaty relationships and First Nations land entitlement
Now that Lafond is out of the political spotlight, he is focused on a couple boards and his family. The boards are both quite different. One is to help plan for senior’s services as Canada ages and the other is for emerging green technology. He also intends to focus on First Nation education and be an apostle on climate change. “We as First Nations have a lot to gain and contribute to the climate change discussion. And now that my public service life is winding down, I would like to see big change in education and start making incremental change in green technology,” said Lafond.
And then there is the family including four kids. “I like being a father and having fun with my kids. Though I am challenged by the rapid change they are facing in society,” added Lafond. “At least with the Order of Merit the kids have seen me do something now instead of just being the grumpy old guy on the couch.”