Sask. Children's Advocate Bob Pringle says wheels in motion to help La Loche

Bob Pringle says La Loche was on the province's radar long before the mass shooting last week.

Pringle is SaskatchewanChildren's Advocate but he also worked as the regional director for the north at Social Services.

In 2013, he helped organize two trips to the village, at the invitation of the mayor and council. Nine deputy ministers made two trips.

"We wanted the deputy ministers to go there because we wanted the most senior person in the ministries to go there, make long-term commitments about providing services there," he said in an interview on Saskatoon Morning.

Pringle said working in the northern communities presents a host of challenges, not the least of which is fighting the perception that "southerners" are parachuting into a community with preconceived ideas and then leaving just as quickly.

Like many, Pringle is trying to find a glimmer of hope after last week's tragedy.

"This is a real good opportunity to make sure that we're in there for the long haul to support the community around their priority needs," he said.

But he said it's critical, especially now, to let the community identify its priorities.