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From the Northerner, La Ronge, Saskatchewan, Oct. 28, 1987 Lac La Ronge Indian Band elder Mary Venne had an opportunity to shake hands with Queen Elizabeth II, during the monarch's visit to Saskatoon. Venne was one of 18 La Ronge seniors who traveled to the city in hopes of catching a glimpse of the queen and her husband, Prince Philip. The seniors, whose trip was organized by Kikinahk Friendship Centre, traveled aboard a bus donated by the LLRIB and driven by John Lowenberg. They stayed at a hotel overnight and then took a three-hour bus tour of Saskatoon. Some of the seniors had never been to the city before and were awed by such things as elevators and hotel telephone systems. During a walkabout, the royal couple passed within arms length of the La Ronge group, and the queen's advisor was heard to comment, " These are the seniors from La Ronge and northern Saskatchewan." The queen immediately stepped up to Mary Venne, shook her hand and said a few words to her, while Prince Philip shook hands and chatted with several of the other seniors. As soon as the queen left, the seniors boarded the bus for home, arriving in time to see themselves on the national news. |
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