La Ronge Celebrates Archives Week with Six Engaging Exhibits

La Ronge, Saskatchewan, marked Archives Week with an impressive display of six exhibits aimed at showcasing the rich heritage of northern Saskatchewan. The events took place during the first week of February, with the goal of sharing local history and culture with the community.

Highlights of the Exhibits

Leading the initiative was Graham Guest, an archivist with the Northern Saskatchewan Archives. Guest meticulously organized the exhibits, which included a range of historical artifacts and photographs reflecting the area’s unique past. One notable exhibit featured the legacy of Mel Jamieson, a trapper who operated in the Wollaston Lake area for four decades and established a lodge that became a prominent tourist destination.

Jamieson’s lodge changed hands several times, ultimately being owned by Sharon and Brian Elder from 1975 to 1999. The Elders elevated the lodge to a five-star outfitting resort before retiring in Saskatoon. Recently, they returned to La Ronge to donate an old beaded jacket that belonged to Jamieson, which Guest hopes will one day be housed in a local museum.

Since La Ronge currently lacks a dedicated museum, Guest transformed Jamieson’s photographs into a compelling exhibit for the archives, providing community members with a glimpse into the past.

Engaging Community Contributions

Another exhibit showcased a historic collection of photographs documenting the history of Robertson Trading. These images were provided by Alexandra Robertson, the daughter of the trading company’s founders, Scott and Karen Robertson. Guest printed enlargements of these photos, allowing visitors to appreciate the trading post’s significance over the years.

One exhibit, entitled “Lost in the Fire,” highlighted the Saskatchewan Craft Council’s 2010 display, many pieces of which were lost when a fire destroyed Robertson Trading in June 2025. This poignant display serves as a reminder of the area’s vulnerabilities and the importance of preserving history.

Longtime local historians Margaret and John Irving have also contributed significantly to the archives. The Irvings, recipients of the Everett Baker Award for Outstanding Community Historical Research, have donated extensive research and models over the years, enriching the archives’ collections.

The exhibit on fur trading in the 1920s featured photographs taken by Lois Dalby, a former manager of the Réveillon Frères post. Dalby dedicated much of her career to documenting the northern Saskatchewan region and has generously contributed her work to the archives. Her book, “Northern Trader,” originally published in 1956 without illustrations, was re-released by the University of Regina Press in 2014, now including photographs.

The exhibits lined the outside of the PNLS community room, where visitors were invited to explore large photo albums filled with collections curated over the years. Many attendees took the opportunity to delve into the binders, discovering the rich history preserved within.

The Northern Saskatchewan Archives, located at PNLS, remain accessible beyond Archives Week, inviting individuals to explore photographs, audio and video recordings, and documents that encapsulate the voices and stories of the region.

Guest emphasized the archives’ mission, stating, “We are for the whole north.” This commitment encompasses collections from various communities, including Uranium City, Stony Rapids, the Westside, Sandy Bay, and Cumberland House. Such efforts not only celebrate the past but also foster a sense of community and identity among residents.