'Bringing Halloween to You' inverts holiday for Covid-Safe Scares in N.Sask

Many Saskatchewan residents looked on in the days proceeding Halloween with looming uncertainty: the Saskatchewan Health Authority had not 'cancelled' the holiday, but the Prime Minister would not be taking his children; whose advice are we to follow?

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band provided an answer for a handful of communities in Saskatchewan's North -- simply invert the holiday.

Rather than asking neighbourhoods or streets to band together, a procession of vehicles and a "zombie horde" scared their way through the tri-communtiies: first on-reserve, then moving through the northern Village of Air Ronge, before ending the event 5 hours later in La Ronge.

Community members could stay on their own lawns, and safely constructed Halloween bags would be delivered to them or tossed nearby.

The 'horde were mostly youth, specifically the Indigenous Spirits Youth Group, lead by Shane Bird. "the idea came from them, the youth" said Bird, who's known as a humble but effective youth worker in the region. He and his wife are raising a family in the community, where Shane looks after youth both on and off-reserve (through the Northern Lights School Division #113).

Bird was quick to point out that he was not alone in organizing the event, which was coordinated across Lac La Ronge Indian Band lands, also in Stanley Mission (Cake Decorating), Sucker River & Hall Lake (Mini Parades), and Little Red (gave candy out directly). 

"Kids were allowed to be Kids Again" said Tyrel Tremblay, 19, of La Ronge when asked about his take away from participating.

Along with local events, all LLRIB communities partook in a "Virtual Halloween Contest" with more than $10,000 in prizes appropriate to different categories.

Callen Durocher and Kevin McLeod (both of Stanley Mission) both won Amazon Fire HD Kids Edition Tablets for their participation in Scariest and Funniest Age 0-4 categories, respectfully.

Leo Charles (of Stanley) won an Xbox 1 for Funniest Age 5-10, while Kaci Frisky (of La Ronge) won Beats by Dre headphones for her part in Scariest Age 5-10.

For the main Family prize, Kache, Jeremiah, Braxton and Jodie of La Ronge won a 58" Smart TV and $200 gift card.

Emergency services vehicles -- the La Ronge EMS and Fire were on hand for five hours to make sure the procession was safe throughout the tri-communities. The floats, which were built by KGB group of businesses and Kids First North, among others, were featured.

Keethanow Business Group (KGB) is a business-oriented division of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. It includes the Keethanow Supermarket, Bingo, Corner Grocery, Gas Bar, Lumber and Furniture, and businesses in its 5 member communities.

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