Mirasty is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. His first language is Cree.[5][2][4] His appointment was strongly welcomed by Indigenous leaders in Saskatchewan.[6]
He and his wife Donna have two children. At the time of his appointment, he and his wife lived in La Ronge.[5]
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.[5][2][4]
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.[5]
Honours
Russell Mirasty's full medal entitlement is as follows.
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