New ABD Board member, Chief Ronnie Augier 

October 2, 2025 in News People
Explorer: Fall 2025

Chief Ronnie Augier was appointed to the Athabasca Basin Development board by Fond du Lac First Nation Development in 2025. “I’m really excited to be a part of the organization as a board member,” says Augier. “Because I’m still new, I’d like to know more and learn more about how it all works. I want to continue seeing it growing as it has already and I’m there to provide support as a board of director for the betterment of the organization and all the communities that are involved with it.” 

Augier is an experienced entrepreneur who has been operating the community barge since 2017, first starting as a manager and then taking over in 2021 and changing its name to Gabe’s Legacy Barging. But long before that, Ronnie started as a stockboy for the Northwest Company at his local store at just 14, then working in a variety of roles at mine sites across Saskatchewan, including as heavy equipment operator. He was also band councillor from 2017 to 2020 and served as a board member with Athabasca Health Authority for six years. “I’m not a ‘sitting still’ guy,” Augier says with a laugh. “I like to keep busy, helping others, doing sports and cultural things like hunting and fishing.” 

They’ve been happily married for nearly two decades now, and in the early days of their marriage, Augier and his young family left the community when his wife Chantelle Stenne wanted to pursue a nursing degree. During that time, Augier worked for Points Athabasca and also did some work in southern potash mines. When his wife completed her RN (Registered Nurse) degree in 2017, the family decide to move back to Fond du Lac. “We wanted to bring back our knowledge and help the community,” says Augier. “Growing up, I saw the community struggle. I’ve seen a lot of things we could have made better. I wanted to do what I could to help move the community in a positive way.” 

Augier first took on work in Gunnar, but soon started working for the local barge company, which was called Camsell Portage Freighting at the time. He worked as a manager for four years and then took over the company in 2021, renaming it Gabe’s Legacy Barging. During this time, he went to BC to pursue career as a captain and was successful in completing a 60 tonne master limited Captain’s license. Augier also served for three years on council and successfully ran for the Chief position in 2024. He now has a project manager managing the barge company while serving his community. “I think my experience as an entrepreneur will be helpful in my role on the board of Athabasca Basin Development and as Chief,” says Augier. “It’s all about the team. I think Athabasca Basin Development has a great team. I think Fond du Lac does too. With the team I have, the six councillors I have, they play a huge role in the accomplishments we’ve made so far in our term. Our main focus is being transparent, accountable, honest and fair with each and every one of our community members off and on reserve. We also want to focus on community side of things on what can we do to brighten the community.” 

The Chief and Council have been active, acquiring the Athabasca Camps and renaming them the Fond du Lac Camp, working on settlements such as ammunition and twine, and looking at potential resources around the area, as well as planning many community projects. “We are also proud of our new training facility that was opened last year, and we owe a lot of thanks to Tiffany Toutsaint for her work on getting that important project completed.” 

Today, Augier and his wife live in Fond du Lac with their five children. In winter, you can find Augier doing outdoor things, cutting wood, and having outdoor picnics with his family. He also plays hockey and loves to ride snowmobiles; fixes and builds his own machines, and he likes to hunt and do cultural stuff. But above all, he likes to give back to his community. “I love to engage in community events, help out, volunteer. I’m also a heavy equipment operator at times for the community, or fix machines for people. I like to use my skills and help out where I can.”