After Brad Miller assumed the role of mayor in Richmound, Sask., he never anticipated the intrusion of a cult in his small village. Following a challenging three-year period, the cult has been eradicated.
Miller has decided to step down on Oct. 15 to pave the way for a fresh start for the village, midway through his four-year term originally set to conclude in November 2028. Expressing his reasons for resignation, he stated, “We fought a lot of battles and wars, and I think it’s just time for a change. Somebody else can step up and lead, maybe turning over a new leaf.”
Having been elected as Richmound’s mayor seven years ago, Miller shared a light-hearted remark about the perceived simplicity of running for mayor in a small village. However, his tenure was fraught with challenges, including property fraud, disputes over the seniors center, and managing the financial repercussions of the pandemic.
Richmound garnered national attention on Sept. 15, 2023, when Romanda Didulo, self-proclaimed as the “Queen of Canada,” together with her Kingdom of Canada followers, occupied an abandoned school in the village. Known for her affiliation with QAnon conspiracy theories, Didulo amassed a following during the pandemic.
For nearly two years, the cult declined to pay utilities, discharged raw sewage into a children’s playground, and issued threats of public executions against Miller and others. Throughout this ordeal, Miller openly addressed the impact of the cult on his town and persistently sought assistance from the government and RCMP.
The RCMP intervened on Sept. 3, 2025, conducting a raid on the school and apprehending cult members after a report surfaced regarding a firearm possession. Subsequently, the Saskatchewan Health Authority deemed the building “unfit for human habitation” and issued a public health directive mandating the eviction of its occupants.
Following the expulsion of the cult, life in the village has returned to relative normalcy. Scott Earl and his wife, Mel, are among the residents contributing to the community’s rejuvenation. Despite unforeseen circumstances, Earl expressed enthusiasm for contributing to Richmound’s promising future.
As the project coordinator for Grow Together, an initiative aimed at establishing an all-seasons domed greenhouse, Earl emphasized the project’s goal of fostering community engagement and addressing food insecurity within the region. The project plans to dehydrate surplus produce to create dry soups or food packs for local food banks.
While regretting Miller’s departure as mayor and his absence at the greenhouse’s inauguration, Earl praised Miller’s dedication to the village’s well-being. Miller intends to remain in Richmound with his wife, eagerly anticipating the community’s growth from a different vantage point.
