Lawrence Riel Yew facts for kids

Lawrence Riel Yew (born January 17, 1942 – died April 18, 1998) was an important political leader in Saskatchewan, Canada. He worked as a trapper and fisherman before entering politics. From 1982 to 1986, he served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan (MLA) for the area of Cumberland. He was part of the New Democratic Party (NDP). Lawrence Yew made history as the first Indigenous person to be elected as an MLA in Saskatchewan.

Lawrence Riel Yew: A Pioneer in Politics

Lawrence Riel Yew was a significant figure in Saskatchewan's history. He is remembered for his work in government and for being a trailblazer. His journey from working on the land to serving in the provincial government shows his dedication to his community.

Early Life and Community Work

Lawrence Yew was born in Beauval, Saskatchewan. This is a community located in the northern part of the province. He grew up learning skills like trapping and fishing. These were common ways of life in his home region.

Before becoming a provincial politician, Lawrence Yew was very active in his local community. He worked as an administrator for Pinehouse. An administrator helps manage the daily operations of a town or organization. He also served as an executive assistant for the Department of Northern Saskatchewan. This department helps manage affairs in the northern areas of the province.

Serving His Community

Lawrence Yew also worked as a municipal councillor in northern Saskatchewan. A municipal councillor is like a local government leader. They help make decisions for their town or district. This experience gave him a strong understanding of what his community needed.

In 1964, Lawrence Yew married Victoria Elizabeth Iron. They shared their life together as he continued his public service.

His Time as an MLA

In 1982, Lawrence Yew was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). He represented the Cumberland area. As an MLA, he worked in the provincial government to make laws and decisions for Saskatchewan. He was a member of the New Democratic Party, which is one of Canada's major political parties.

His election was a very important moment. He was the first Indigenous person to become an MLA in Saskatchewan. This opened doors for other Indigenous leaders to enter provincial politics. He served one term, from 1982 to 1986.

A Lasting Legacy

Lawrence Riel Yew passed away in 1998 at the age of 56. He died in Edmonton, Alberta. His legacy lives on as a pioneer in Saskatchewan politics. He showed that Indigenous people could hold important positions in government. His work helped to represent the voices of northern communities and Indigenous peoples in the province.