Russell Mirasty
{{Short description|Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan since 2019}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = The Honourable
| name = Russell Mirasty
| honorific-suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|SOM|MSM|size=100%}}
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| order = 23rd
| office = Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan
| term_start = July 18, 2019
| term_end = January 31, 2025
| monarch = {{ubl| Elizabeth II | Charles III}}
| governor_general = {{ubl | Julie Payette | Mary Simon}}
| premier = Scott Moe
| predecessor = W. Thomas Molloy
| successor = Bernadette McIntyre
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|62|2019|7|19}}{{cite web|title=Former head of RCMP in Saskatchewan named province's lieutenant-governor|url=https://larongenow.com/2019/07/19/former-head-of-rcmp-in-saskatchewan-named-provinces-lieutenant-governor-2/|date=July 19, 2019|newspaper=La Ronge Now|author=The Canadian Press|accessdate=July 27, 2019}}
| birth_place = La Ronge, Saskatchewan, Canada
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse =
| children =
| alma_mater = RCMP Academy, Depot Division
| profession = Police officer (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
| religion = |
}}
Russell Mirasty {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|SOM|MSM}} (born 1956 or 1957) is a former lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan. He was appointed by Governor General Julie Payette, on the constitutional advice of the prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, on July 17, 2019. Mirasty was sworn in on July 18,[https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2019/july/17/swearing-in-date-for-lieutenant-governor "Premier Scott Moe Announces Swearing In Date For New Lieutenant Governor", Government of Saskatchewan News Release, July 17, 2019.] filling the vacancy in the position left when W. Thomas Molloy died in office on July 2.[https://regina.ctvnews.ca/lieutenant-governor-molloy-dies-following-battle-with-cancer-1.4490622 "Lieutenant Governor Molloy dies following battle with cancer", CTV, July 2, 2019.]
Mirasty's term as lieutenant governor came to an official end on January 31, 2025, with the installation of his successor, Bernadette McIntyre.{{Cite web |last=Postey |first=Drew |date=2025-01-31 |title=Bernadette McIntyre installed as Sask.’s 24th Lieutenant Governor |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/regina/article/watch-live-bernadette-mcintyre-to-be-installed-as-sasks-24th-lieutenant-governor/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}
As lieutenant governor, Mirasty was the viceregal representative of Charles III of Canada in Saskatchewan. He was the first Indigenous person appointed to this office.[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/russell-mirasty-new-lieutenant-governor-1.5214813 Former top Sask. cop Russell Mirasty named province's new Lt.-Gov., CBC, July 17, 2019.]
Personal life
Mirasty is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. His first language is Cree. His appointment was strongly welcomed by Indigenous leaders in Saskatchewan.[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/russell-mirasty-new-lieutenant-governor-1.5214813 " 'This is historic': Indigenous leaders applaud choice of Russell Mirasty as new Sask. Lt.-Gov.", CBC, July 17, 2019.]
He and his wife Donna have two children. At the time of his appointment, he and his wife lived in La Ronge.
RCMP career
Mirasty was a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for thirty-six years, from 1976 to 2013. He was one of only two Indigenous cadets in his troop at RCMP Academy, Depot Division. Following graduation, he served in seven of Canada's ten provinces. He also did a work exchange with the Northern Territory Police in Australia. Mirasty was a volunteer aide-de-camp to previous lieutenant governors of Saskatchewan. He was appointed assistant commissioner and commanding officer, "F" Division in 2010, the first Indigenous RCMP officer to command a division.[https://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2019/07/17/russell-mirasty Prime Minister News Release: Russell Mirasty]
After retiring from the RCMP, Mirasty volunteered with a number of community service organizations. He particularly focused on working with Saskatchewan's education system. In 2017, Mirasty was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
Honours
Russell Mirasty's full medal entitlement is as follows.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-prec|can}}
{{s-bef|before=Antoinette Perry|as=Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island}}
{{s-ttl|title=Canadian order of precedence
{{small|as Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan}}}}
{{s-aft|after=Salma Lakhani|as=Lieutenant Governor of Alberta}}
{{succession box
| title=Order of precedence in Saskatchewan
| years={{As of|2022|lc=on}}
| before=King Charles III, King of Canada
| after=Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan}}
{{s-end}}
{{SKLG}}
{{CanViceroy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mirasty, Russell}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Lieutenant governors of Saskatchewan
Category:Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers
Category:21st-century Canadian politicians