Participate, contribute says Gabe Lafond
- Sophia Lagimodiere | October 27, 2020
Originally from the northern Métis community of Green Lake, Gabe Lafond was the youngest in his family. His father was a trapper and worked in the uranium mines, teaching him the importance of working hard and always telling him, “don’t wait, get things done now.” His mother was a “domestic engineer,” taking care of raising all 11 children.
His upbringing and 20 years of senior executive management experience have provided him with a repertoire of skills that have led him to become LutherCare Communities’ CEO.
Lafond’s father passed away when he was 15 and he moved to Saskatoon with his mother, where he had to adapt quickly.
“(It was) a bit of a journey on its own. Coming into the urban center, you’re coming into a whole different environment where there’s culture shock,” Lafond said.
While in high school he worked at Zellers and did lawn work for seniors. Once in university, he worked for Métis Nation-Saskatchewan developing a provincial youth council. Later, he ran as a leader for the MN-S and was acclaimed as Treasurer. After three years, he stepped down to run as a member of parliament and was nominated as the Liberal candidate for the Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River riding. This was a big moment for Lafond before he even achieved the representation within the federal process.
“I felt it was important to get an opportunity to actually represent a constituency as big as [that riding]. And I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task,” Lafond said. “However, I had relationships out in the communities, and I was encouraged by the elders, I was encouraged by community members.”
He moved his way up the corporate ladder when the Saskatoon Health Region hired him as the Director of Representative Workforce and First Nations and Métis health. He then became Executive Director of First Nations and Métis health for the SHA before becoming CEO of LutherCare Communities.
“[LutherCare’s] model really is that we want to provide a safe and caring continuum of living for everyone, which includes First Nations and Métis.”
Lafond credits his parents for being loving role models who taught him how to be a good father. His political icon would be Jim Sinclair because of his advocacy for Métis Nation rights to fishing, hunting and human rights. Lafond also recognizes many great operational and administrative leaders who guided and coached him.
He encourages young people to get involved with their communities and to never give up on their goals and dreams.
“Participate. Contribute into the economy, contribute to your community, contribute to your family, and you will never go wrong,” Lafond said. “I always lead to spirituality. Everything I do always starts with having faith and believing in what you’re doing It always works out in the end.”