Russell Mirasty

Russell Mirasty 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,^[2] filling the vacancy in the position left when W. Thomas Molloy died in office on July 2.^[3]

The Honourable Russell Mirasty SOM MSM
23rd Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan
In office July 18, 2019 – January 31, 2025
Monarchs	Elizabeth II Charles III
Governors General	Julie Payette Mary Simon
Premier	Scott Moe
Preceded by	W. Thomas Molloy
Succeeded by	Bernadette McIntyre
Personal details
Born	1956 or 1957 (age 67–68)[1] La Ronge, Saskatchewan, Canada
Alma mater	RCMP Academy, Depot Division
Profession	Police officer (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)

Mirasty's term as lieutenant governor came to an official end on January 31, 2025, with the installation of his successor, Bernadette McIntyre.^[4]

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.^[5]

Personal life

Mirasty is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. His first language is Cree.^[6][2][5] His appointment was strongly welcomed by Indigenous leaders in Saskatchewan.^[7]

He and his wife Donna have two children. At the time of his appointment, he and his wife lived in La Ronge.^[6]

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.^[6][2][5]

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.^[6]

Honours

Russell Mirasty's full medal entitlement is as follows.

Ribbon	Description	Notes
	Order of St John (K.StJ)	25 July 2020. Knight of Justice. Vice Prior of the Order in the Province of Saskatchewan. [8]
	Saskatchewan Order of Merit (SOM)	2019. [9]
	Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)	9 November 2017. Civil Division. [10]
	Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal	2002. Canadian version of this medal. [11]
	Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal	2012. Canadian version of this medal. [12]
	Royal Canadian Mounted Police Long Service Medal	With 35 year Bar
	Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal	2022. Saskatchewan version of this medal. [13]
	King Charles III Coronation Medal	2024. Canadian version of this medal. [14]

References

1. The Canadian Press (19 July 2019). "Former head of RCMP in Saskatchewan named province's lieutenant-governor". La Ronge Now. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
2. "Premier Scott Moe Announces Swearing In Date For New Lieutenant Governor", Government of Saskatchewan News Release, July 17, 2019.
3. "Lieutenant Governor Molloy dies following battle with cancer", CTV, July 2, 2019.
4. Postey, Drew (31 January 2025). "Bernadette McIntyre installed as Sask.'s 24th Lieutenant Governor". CTVNews. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
5. Former top Sask. cop Russell Mirasty named province's new Lt.-Gov., CBC, July 17, 2019.
6. Prime Minister News Release: Russell Mirasty
7. " 'This is historic': Indigenous leaders applaud choice of Russell Mirasty as new Sask. Lt.-Gov.", CBC, July 17, 2019.
8. "MOST VENERABLE ORDER OF THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM 25 July 2020". The Canada Gazette. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
9. "Recipients of The Saskatchewan Order of Merit" (PDF). Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
10. "Assistant Commissioner Russell B. Mirasty's Meritorious Service Medal Citation". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
11. "Inspector Russ B. Mirasty's Golden Jubilee Medal Citation". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
12. "Assistant Commissioner Russell Mirasty's Diamond Jubilee Medal Citation". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
13. "Platinum Jubilee Medal Investiture Ceremony". Lieutenant Governor Saskatchewan. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
14. "Governor General hosts inaugural presentation of King Charles III Coronation Medal". Governor General of Canada. 6 May 2024.

Order of precedence
Preceded by Antoinette Perry as Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island	Canadian order of precedence as Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan	Succeeded by Salma Lakhani as Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Preceded by King Charles III, King of Canada	Order of precedence in Saskatchewan as of 2022[update]	Succeeded by Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan