Richmound, Saskatchewan became the epicentre of the provincial news cycle on Wednesday, as RCMP carried out numerous arrests at the site of the former Richmound School to close the chapter on a now years long struggle with Romana Didulo and her "Kingdom of Canada" followers that had been living inside the southwest community.
The sovereign citizen group initially assumed residence in Richmound at the invitation of the property owner in September of 2023. What followed were constant headaches as the group carried out demonstrations, engaged in altercations with residents, and even local officials.
The Swift Current Online newsroom began tracking the story in October 2023 as residents of the villages began feeling harassed by the self-proclaimed 'Queen of Canada'. People were warned to stay away from the former school site with Didulo and her followers closing it off to the public with fencing and "no trespassing signs".
With attention now on them, Didulo and her group elevated the situation by directing threats to the Village of Richmound by calling for public executions, something quickly met by mayor Brad Miller who acted with government leaders and RCMP to begin building their case.
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With things heating up, just a few days later a report of assault in the village led to Leader RCMP arresting the reported owner of the property, Ricky Manz, who was charged with assault following investigation into a reported altercation.
The arrest was followed up that weekend with a tremendous show of community support, Richmound's Mayor Miller leading a group discussion before a peaceful protest broke out in town as area residents and others joined together to make their voice heard.
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- Man who invited 'Queen of Canada' to Richmound arrested, charged with assault (Oct 13, 2023)
- Richmound spells it out for Didulo and company with protest (Oct 16, 2023)
A pair of updates that November saw the Richmound School compound losing its fencing, shrinking the perimeter at the site. A pair of local businesses reclaimed their fencing to force the move. The original fencing covered the entire perimeter of the school and sealed off the property with a no-trespassing sign also present.
That changeup forced Didulo and company to move north to a local farm, not far only about seven miles out according to locals.
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- Didulo loses fencing, shrinks compound perimeter in Richmound (Nov. 8, 2023)
- Richmound sees reprieve as 'Kingdom of Canada' moves north (Nov. 17, 2023)
The group returned shortly after and continued their occupation as the winter went by with no solutions.
The next flare up came in April 2024 when tensions renewed following an investment from Didulo into a local property. 12 followers were said to have co-signed ownership forms for the Richmound Campsite possibly in attempt to have a say in council.
In the meantime, Richmound was losing dollars in a legal battle after working with lawyers to build their case. They hoped to attain an inspection warrant for the school where Miller and other town members believed illegal renovations were taking place, and to also check out gas and sewer lines that Didulo and company were not paying for.
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- Didulo and followers further stake in Richmound (Apr. 17, 2024)
- Richmound closes village office to the public (July 18, 2025)
Fast forward to 2025, specifically in mid-July and that's when things really took off.
Continued harassment and intimidation of office staff led to the Village of Richmound closing their doors to the public. It was done to create a safe working environment as day-to-day duties did not change, just changed to over the phone.
The tensions boiled over near the end of the month as an incident was caught on camera showing an RCMP officer physically engaging with at least one person at the school grounds, taking them into custody after originally being called to keep the peace.
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- RCMP investigating after physical altercation in Richmound (July 22, 2025)
- Man charged after altercation with police in Richmound (July 25, 2025)
- Public outrage builds after police altercation in Richmound (July 28, 2025)
The above incident didn't stay the main story for long in the community, as in early August Mayor Miller presented claims that Didulo was pumping sewage into the public park.
Miller posted a video online of a hose pumping liquid from the school towards surrounding areas, mainly the local ball diamonds and park. Work was done to block sewer access to the school and rectify the situation best as possible, but the park unfortunately had to be closed due to the mess.
Miller also added the fact that Didulo and her people believe Richmound officials are the ones breaking the law, meeting the tone of similar emails in the past threatening execution.
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With the town feeling like they are out of answers, help finally came earlier this week on September 3 when a massive early morning raid was carried out in Richmound.
Multiple RCMP officers arrived in town prior to 5:00 AM, setting up a perimeter around Richmound before infiltrating the school where they carried out 17 arrests, including Didulo, who live streamed her arrest on social media and confirmed her identity upon being taken into custody.
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- UPDATE: RCMP presence active in Richmound (Sept. 3, 2025)
- 'Queen of Canada' confirmed arrested in RCMP Richmound raid (Sept. 3, 2025)
Phase two of the investigation is now underway as they investigate inside the building, though all of the arrested individuals were released 24 hours later on conditions, with two breaking those conditions and being charged in the latest update coming at 7:30 PM on Thursday.
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Even with the latest updates, for the first time in nearly two full years, residents can rest easy knowing the encampment has been dealt with and answers will be coming.
Didulo and Manz both appeared in court on Friday, and the latest updates following Thursday's chain of events are below.
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- Didulo defiant in court as bail hearing adjourned to Monday
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It was quite the saga for the community incorporated as a village back in May of 1947, and hopefully justice will be served as life returns back to normal in Richmound.