The Royal Raid | EPISODE 6 (Finale) | The Cult Queen of Canada (YouTube Video Transcript)

(00:00:00) Your YouTube transcript will appear here (00:00:04) [cheering] (00:00:07) for a moment there. After Brad's mayoral (00:00:09) win in the fall of 2024, things in Rich (00:00:12) Mound seem to be getting back to normal. (00:00:15) >> Good job. [screaming] (00:00:19) >> That didn't last long. (00:00:24) By the summer, I got word that Richmound (00:00:26) Town Council had to close its office due (00:00:29) to harassment towards staff by some (00:00:31) people in town. And by people, I'm (00:00:34) hearing that it's actually one person, (00:00:36) Melinda. I can't confirm this, but given (00:00:39) that she shared a video with me of her (00:00:41) refusing to leave the administrative (00:00:43) office last year, this is a public (00:00:45) building and I'm going to [ __ ] it. Yeah, (00:00:47) I'm not turning mine off either. Good (00:00:49) for it. Seems plausible. (00:00:52) Either way, [music] the mood in town (00:00:54) continued to sour, but for Romana and (00:00:57) the cult, it's been business as usual. (00:01:00) >> You hearing the truth, the truth, the (00:01:02) whole truth, and funds can be (00:01:04) transferred to the email address of (00:01:07) >> They're still in the school with no sign (00:01:10) of leaving. (00:01:13) But then, as the hot summer dragged on, (00:01:16) the toxicity in Richmound turned from (00:01:18) metaphorical to literal. (00:01:22) A stink wafted over the town. The cult's (00:01:25) plumbing had finally overflowed. (00:01:29) If you recall, right before the (00:01:31) election, Brad had plugged the school's (00:01:34) sewer. (00:01:35) >> Well, we did something yesterday, but I (00:01:37) don't know if I should tell you. (00:01:38) >> He claimed that Ricky Mans, the property (00:01:41) owner, hadn't been paying the water and (00:01:43) utility bills for the school. (00:01:44) >> What is it? (00:01:45) >> We put a plug in there. Sure. And now, (00:01:48) months later, Mayor Brad noticed water (00:01:50) was bubbling up from a manhole near the (00:01:53) school. It seems the cult had continued (00:01:56) flushing their waste into the sewer even (00:01:58) after it was plugged up. And now it was (00:02:01) spilling over. (00:02:02) >> They've been doing their trailers and (00:02:04) dumping and whatever, taking the crap or (00:02:06) whatever they've been doing. And it (00:02:08) finally backed up. (00:02:10) >> Like you said to me in October, I think (00:02:11) you said like, "Oh, you know, it's full (00:02:12) of shit." [clears throat] (00:02:13) >> Yeah. Now they're really full of [ __ ] (00:02:16) Brad's kidding, but there's a real (00:02:18) concern here. (00:02:20) >> Like, there's just this buildup. So, (00:02:21) there was a fear that this buildup then (00:02:23) would get into the Rich Mound water (00:02:24) supply. (00:02:25) >> And we were scared that we were thinking (00:02:28) of contamination. (00:02:30) >> If the cult sewage was in fact leaking (00:02:33) into the water supply, that could be, (00:02:36) according to Brad, a major bylaw (00:02:38) infraction. And I know, I know, we've (00:02:42) seen so many bylaw infractions come to (00:02:45) nothing. But this time, Brad was (00:02:47) actually able to get the province's (00:02:49) support. So, someone from Saskatchewan's (00:02:52) water agency showed up to inspect the (00:02:54) situation. Brad also called in the RCMP (00:02:58) to stand by just in case things went (00:03:00) south. (00:03:02) As they approached the fence, they were (00:03:04) stopped by Ricky Mans, the school (00:03:06) building's owner. They asked for entry. (00:03:10) Then Brad says that Ricky, a former (00:03:12) karate teacher as you might remember, (00:03:15) [music] lunged right for him, seemingly (00:03:17) putting his past karate experience into (00:03:20) practice. (00:03:21) >> He started grabbing my hand and throwing (00:03:22) it off the fence and screaming whatever. (00:03:25) And then he grabbed my hand again and (00:03:26) pushed it. And then the [music] two (00:03:28) police officers told me to step back. (00:03:33) Video of the altercation shows RCMP (00:03:35) officers tackling Ricky to the ground, (00:03:38) cuffing him, and putting him in the (00:03:40) backseat of their SUV. (00:03:44) In the end, Ricky was charged with (00:03:47) assaulting two police officers, (00:03:49) resisting arrest, and uttering threats. (00:03:52) And Brad was even more sure that the (00:03:54) cult was compromising the town's water (00:03:56) supply, adding another bylaw infraction (00:03:59) to his growing list. (00:04:04) For a while there, I thought the arrest (00:04:06) of Ricky Mans and the sewer debacle (00:04:09) would be how this story ended. A town (00:04:11) divided with no real end in sight. And (00:04:14) Romana and the Kingdom of Canada staying (00:04:16) put in Richmound. (00:04:18) But as we know by now, the weather in (00:04:22) the prairies can change in an instant. (00:04:27) There's the corporation RCMP screaming (00:04:30) outside [music] saying, "You're under (00:04:32) arrest." (00:04:35) >> We need the phone down. You're under (00:04:36) arrest. (00:04:39) >> I'm [music] Rachel Brown and from CBC's (00:04:41) Uncover, this is the cult queen of (00:04:44) Canada. Episode 6, The Royal Raid. (00:04:49) [music] (00:04:56) Around late summer of 2025, a couple (00:04:58) months after Ricky's arrest, Mayor (00:05:01) Brad's wife, Arlene, got a phone call (00:05:03) about something far more disturbing in (00:05:06) the school than overflowing toilets. (00:05:08) >> Some lady phoned uh Arlene and said (00:05:11) somebody saw a gun and then Arlene said, (00:05:13) "Well, phone 911, not us." Whatever. (00:05:16) >> How did she feel? How did you feel when (00:05:18) you heard that? (00:05:19) >> Oh, bad. Death. [clears throat] Yeah. (00:05:21) It's I mean, was it frightening? (00:05:23) >> Oh, yeah. Cuz you're everybody's safety, (00:05:26) right? Sort of thing. So, (00:05:29) >> Brad won't [music] say who the woman was (00:05:31) who reported the gun, but he and Arlene (00:05:33) believed her to be a trustworthy source. (00:05:36) This was the most compelling evidence (00:05:38) against the cult they'd had in a while. (00:05:41) >> We just kept in touch and we just they (00:05:43) figured they were going to get a (00:05:44) warrant. They were wary of getting their (00:05:46) hopes up again because by this point (00:05:49) they knew not to count on law (00:05:50) enforcement to take action right away. (00:05:54) But on Wednesday, September 3rd, at (00:05:57) around [music] 4 in the morning, they (00:05:59) were awoken by the sound of sirens. (00:06:07) >> We flew out of bed and we walked down (00:06:10) the back alley cuz we're right against (00:06:12) the school. And then there was somebody (00:06:13) in the trees and they said, "Oh, you (00:06:16) guys go back to your house." (00:06:17) >> Oh, there was an RCMP officer in the (00:06:19) trees. (00:06:19) >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Which is good, right? (00:06:22) I knew they they posted in there. (00:06:28) >> Brad and Arlene stood in their backyard (00:06:30) and watched as RCMP officers surrounded (00:06:33) the school. Their neighbor, Hugh Everd, (00:06:35) was awoken by the commotion, too. (00:06:39) I heard sirens around 10 to 5 and uh (00:06:43) that woke me up and uh and I got up and (00:06:47) then there's more sirens. Then there's (00:06:48) more lights. (00:06:49) >> Like Brad and Arlene, he saw the whole (00:06:51) thing from his front yard. (00:06:53) >> There are two cops parked in front of my (00:06:55) house, another one at the intersection. (00:06:57) There were cops everywhere. All a sudden (00:07:00) out of nowhere, five vehicles came out (00:07:03) of nowhere and shot right up to the (00:07:05) school. (00:07:08) Dozens of cops plowed into the school (00:07:11) grounds, bursting [music] through the (00:07:12) construction fencing, speaking to the (00:07:14) cult through loudspeakers. (00:07:17) >> I heard over the broadcast or over the (00:07:19) loudspeakers, it sounded like they were (00:07:21) asking for a [music] specific person. So (00:07:24) maybe I thought maybe they were (00:07:25) harboring a fugitive. (00:07:27) >> Brad and Arlene, for their part, could (00:07:29) barely believe what they were seeing. (00:07:32) >> SWAT truck went [music] through the (00:07:33) fence and then they played their (00:07:35) recording. (00:07:37) We have a warrant for your arrest. (00:07:39) >> Put your hands [music] on your head. (00:07:40) Blah blah blah. (00:07:44) [music] (00:07:48) >> Meanwhile, inside the school, Romana (00:07:51) Dedelo and her followers are startled (00:07:53) awake by the sirens and chaos outside. (00:07:56) Romanna grabs her phone and starts live (00:07:59) streaming what's happening around her. (00:08:01) Her right-hand woman, Darlene, speaks. (00:08:04) It sounds like there is movement in the (00:08:06) hallway. So we will keep you posted (00:08:07) everyone. (00:08:08) >> But then Romano realizes she has to (00:08:11) charge the phone. (00:08:12) >> So they discharging the phone here. Just (00:08:15) charging the phone. So everyone that is (00:08:17) what's happening. (00:08:20) >> As the RCMP get closer, Romana urges her (00:08:23) followers to comply. (00:08:25) >> I have given instruction to everyone not (00:08:29) to resist as we are peaceful people. (00:08:32) We're not violent people. (00:08:34) >> She also claims the RCMP has slashed the (00:08:37) tires of her vehicles. The RCMP told me (00:08:40) it wouldn't comment on this allegation. (00:08:42) >> Some of the team members witnessed the (00:08:44) tires being punctured, so (00:08:48) I don't think that's part of the arrest. (00:08:51) >> Even in the chaos, Romana is focused on (00:08:54) the safety of her two dogs. (00:08:57) And uh the royal puppies are in the (00:09:01) building and uh they will need someone (00:09:05) to take care of them. (00:09:07) >> She clearly knows what's about to happen (00:09:09) next. (00:09:17) >> Leave the phone down. You're under (00:09:19) arrest. (00:09:19) >> All right. Phone down. (00:09:23) >> Okay. (00:09:23) >> One more time. One at a time. (00:09:26) There you go. (00:09:27) >> Down on the ground, please. (00:09:29) >> Okay, (00:09:32) >> please. (00:09:34) >> Romana complies while continuing to live (00:09:37) stream. (00:09:38) >> Okay, I'm not resisting. There's no one (00:09:40) there to understand. Yeah, I'll give you (00:09:42) my hand. (00:09:47) >> The RCP went in and grabbed one at a (00:09:49) time and brought them out. neighbor Hugh (00:09:52) Everd (00:09:54) and cut them off. (00:09:56) >> So, is everyone who was in the school (00:09:58) arrested as far as you've heard? (00:10:00) >> Yes, (00:10:00) >> they've all been taken somewhere. (00:10:03) >> The Queen of Canada and all of her (00:10:05) subjects are escorted out of the school. (00:10:08) The live stream ends (00:10:15) for Mayor Brad watching from his yard. (00:10:17) This was the moment he'd been after for (00:10:19) years. If you listen to his phone (00:10:22) recording of the arrest, you can hear (00:10:23) his relief. Oh, (00:10:25) >> finally. (00:10:30) [music] (00:10:35) [music] (00:10:42) Good afternoon. [snorts] This morning at (00:10:45) approximately 4:30 a.m., Saskatchewan (00:10:47) RCMP executed a search warrant in (00:10:50) Richound, Saskatchewan. (00:10:53) Later that day, the RCMP host a press (00:10:56) conference to announce their findings. (00:10:58) This is Inspector St. Germaine. The (00:11:00) search warrant was obtained after we (00:11:02) received a report of an individual (00:11:04) occupying the building was in possession (00:11:06) of a firearm. Officers arrested 17 (00:11:09) individuals. 10 were arrested inside the (00:11:12) building. [music] Six were arrested in (00:11:14) the RVs and one was arrested outside a (00:11:16) residence in Richmound. While listening (00:11:19) to this press conference, I was eager to (00:11:21) hear if they'd seized any guns like the (00:11:23) ones the town had been warned about. As (00:11:25) of the last [music] update from (00:11:27) investigators, which was received at (00:11:28) 11:30 this morning, we have located and (00:11:31) seized four replica handguns, [music] (00:11:33) one inside the building and three inside (00:11:36) vehicles. (00:11:39) Replica handguns? What does that mean? (00:11:42) The RCMP wouldn't even say whether these (00:11:45) guns were capable of firing bullets. (00:11:47) This felt pretty flimsy. By the end of (00:11:50) the press conference, one big question (00:11:53) still remained. Where was Romana? (00:11:56) >> Are you able to confirm that Romana (00:11:57) Doulo was one of those who was arrested? (00:12:00) >> So, what I can say is that one of the (00:12:01) individuals that was inside the building (00:12:04) identified herself as uh Ramana Doulo, (00:12:07) which was, as I understand, live (00:12:08) streamed as it happened. So she (00:12:11) presented herself and identified herself (00:12:13) as that and released it to the public. (00:12:15) So I can confirm that she is in custody, (00:12:17) but beyond that I can't identify anybody (00:12:20) else. (00:12:23) Now [music] the clock is ticking. Romana (00:12:26) is in custody under arrest, but the RCMP (00:12:29) have 24 hours to formally charge her (00:12:32) with a [music] crime or they have to let (00:12:34) her go free. and we'll see how just this (00:12:36) is in Saskatchewan, right? And in (00:12:39) Canada, whatever. (00:12:42) >> September 4th, 35 hours after the raid (00:12:45) and arrests, the RCMP puts out a (00:12:48) statement. They say they found even more (00:12:50) replica firearms during their search of (00:12:52) the school than initially reported. (00:12:55) Quote, 13 imitation semi-automatic (00:12:58) handguns, ammunition, as well as a large (00:13:01) number of electronic devices. End quote. (00:13:05) But the RCMP goes on to say they're (00:13:08) releasing all members of the cult, (00:13:10) including Romana, without charging them. (00:13:16) It's another devastating blow to the (00:13:18) anti-ult side of Richmound. It feels (00:13:21) like they're caught in a bitter cycle. (00:13:24) Every time they get a glimmer of hope, (00:13:26) it gets dashed. (00:13:28) After being initially excited yesterday (00:13:30) morning, then as the day drag gone, it (00:13:32) was like, uh, this is probably going to (00:13:34) lead to nothing and we're just going to (00:13:36) be back to the same old [ __ ] (00:13:38) situation. (00:13:40) >> Shauna Sain gives me a call. She sounds (00:13:42) more defeated than ever. (00:13:45) >> And and oh god, I just want it to be (00:13:47) over, Rachel. I'm so sick of it. (00:13:51) >> But little did Shauna know, it was about (00:13:54) to be over. (00:13:56) This time was different. Later that day, (00:14:00) both Romana and Ricky Mans were (00:14:03) rearrested [music] and charged. (00:14:22) On the day of the raid, Romana was (00:14:24) arrested with conditions, including that (00:14:27) she not contact any member of the cult. (00:14:29) And this includes her host, Ricky Mans. (00:14:34) But it appears that Romana did exactly (00:14:36) that after she was released. and (00:14:39) contacting Ricky is what seems to have (00:14:41) ultimately got her arrested with a (00:14:43) charge that would stick. (00:14:46) It wasn't for water contamination. It (00:14:49) wasn't for something violent. It wasn't (00:14:52) the mistreatment of her followers. It (00:14:55) wasn't a gun or even a replica gun. It (00:14:58) seems to have come down to communicating (00:15:01) with the subjects in her kingdom. (00:15:04) In their statement, the RCMP added that (00:15:06) Romana has also been charged with (00:15:09) intimidation of a justice system (00:15:11) participant. (00:15:12) Ricky, for his part, gets slapped (00:15:14) [music] with three similar charges. (00:15:18) Some people in town are thrilled about (00:15:20) the news. How do you feel? (00:15:23) >> Elated. I mean, this is the best day of (00:15:25) my life right now. Like, literally, it's (00:15:28) so great that we have finally gotten (00:15:30) some movement. (00:15:32) All of Romana's other followers who were (00:15:34) arrested though are released, but (00:15:37) [music] they can't return to the school (00:15:39) ever again because while all this has (00:15:42) been happening, Saskatchewan Health (00:15:44) officials have pounced. (00:15:49) A representative of the Saskatchewan (00:15:51) Health Authority walks up to the school (00:15:53) property. (00:15:54) >> Who am I here to speak from? (00:15:55) >> Cult members film from inside the fence (00:15:58) and Romana's press secretary, Darlene, (00:16:00) approaches her. I'm the senior public (00:16:02) health inspector. (00:16:03) >> Okay. May I have documentation that you (00:16:05) are who you say you are? (00:16:06) >> The official tapes a sign onto the (00:16:08) fence. (00:16:10) >> These premises are declared unsanitary (00:16:12) and unfit for occupation. (00:16:15) >> You have now been officially notified. (00:16:19) >> The school has been condemned. The (00:16:22) kingdom has lost their castle. (00:16:26) But where are the followers going to go (00:16:27) now? (00:16:29) >> [music] (00:16:30) >> As we know, most of them are seniors and (00:16:33) some have health issues. These are (00:16:35) vulnerable people. And for the past 2 (00:16:38) years, they've been camping out in an (00:16:40) abandoned commercial building with (00:16:42) Romana. We know so little about what (00:16:45) their lives have been like inside the (00:16:47) school. We get glimpses on the live (00:16:49) stream. We've seen proof that they have (00:16:52) used propane for heat, and some tell me (00:16:54) the followers are overworked and (00:16:56) underfed. One person I talked to wasn't (00:16:59) sure if their loved one was getting (00:17:00) their medications or not. (00:17:06) >> But there's one moment from a live (00:17:07) stream a while ago that has really stuck (00:17:10) with me. An older woman can be seen in (00:17:12) the footage standing at a podium reading (00:17:14) out one of Romana's decrees. (00:17:17) >> I her royal majesty queen dulo have (00:17:20) rescheduled the oath taking a ceremony (00:17:22) for (00:17:23) >> she starts to sound flustered (00:17:25) breathless. the humanitarian (00:17:27) deputization of can Canadian nationals (00:17:31) January 194 (00:17:34) Canada. (00:17:34) >> Her speech slurs. She waivers at the (00:17:37) podium. (00:17:39) >> This brings a close to Canadian iron and (00:17:42) iron teeth. (00:17:46) >> Then she faints backwards. (00:17:53) >> The video abruptly cuts out. (00:17:58) I think of this woman's family. If they (00:18:01) had seen this video, how horrifying this (00:18:03) moment would be to watch, then to hear (00:18:06) nothing, no news. (00:18:10) And now those families are watching as (00:18:13) their loved ones are placed under (00:18:14) arrest, [music] (00:18:15) then released with nowhere to go. (00:18:21) A few days later, Romana appeared at (00:18:24) court in Swift Current. It's a hearing (00:18:26) to determine whether or not she will (00:18:28) make bail and be let out of custody (00:18:30) while her charges make their way through (00:18:32) the courts. (00:18:35) Outside the courthouse, police escort (00:18:37) Romana out the back of an RCMP van. It's (00:18:40) the first time she's been seen in public (00:18:42) since the early days of taking over the (00:18:44) rich school. (00:18:46) She's sporting a deep purple three-piece (00:18:49) suit and a fresh buzzcut. Her hands are (00:18:51) in metal handcuffs, and she's carrying a (00:18:53) pad of paper. Romanna smiles as she (00:18:56) addresses a large group of her (00:18:58) supporters and news crews that have (00:18:59) gathered around her. (00:19:05) >> I have to say, for someone who spent the (00:19:07) night in jail, Romana looks more (00:19:09) energized than ever. There's this comic (00:19:12) book villain quality to her performance. (00:19:15) She seems to be basking in all of the (00:19:17) attention. More than a dozen followers (00:19:19) in white hats watch as Romana is taken (00:19:22) [music] up the stairs. (00:19:25) Oh, we're going to the bail hearing (00:19:26) today and if granted, I go home and if (00:19:32) not, I will be taken to Regina and then (00:19:35) to Prince Albert facility up north. Even (00:19:39) though she's in police custody, she's (00:19:41) more sure than ever of her sovereign (00:19:43) authority. (00:19:44) >> And under natural law, you know very (00:19:46) well, they have no jurisdiction. Zero. (00:19:53) >> Inside, everything that was said is (00:19:55) covered by a publication ban. But we do (00:19:57) get one piece of news confirmed. Romana (00:20:00) has opted not to hire a lawyer. Instead, (00:20:03) she'll represent herself. Reporters who (00:20:06) were there noted that the judge seemed (00:20:09) visibly annoyed by the whole spectacle. (00:20:14) After being granted bail on a number of (00:20:16) strict conditions, Romana beams as she (00:20:18) walks back outside the courthouse. Her (00:20:21) followers in sunglasses walk her through (00:20:23) a crush of news cameras. (00:20:25) >> Do you have anything to say? (00:20:26) >> Step back. (00:20:28) >> Step back. Pending trial, the court has (00:20:30) prohibited Romana from going within 50 (00:20:33) kilometers of Richmound and [music] she (00:20:35) must stay at a residence in Regina. She (00:20:38) also can't have any contact with Ricky (00:20:40) Mans or her followers. (00:20:42) Even still, she continues to order them (00:20:45) around as she's carded off. Team, secure (00:20:48) the royal puppies and the funds you know (00:20:50) who to get a hold of. All right. And (00:20:53) I'll be seeking a jury duty. Uh, pardon (00:20:56) me. A jury trial. (00:21:10) >> I mean, this is kind of like a whole new (00:21:12) chapter in this whole saga. (00:21:15) >> Yep. (00:21:18) 2 years after Romana and the Kingdom of (00:21:20) Canada first rolled into Rich Mound, (00:21:23) Romana [music] has finally been (00:21:25) banished, never to return. (00:21:28) The school sits empty and condemned. (00:21:30) [music] (00:21:31) The park beside it still reeks of (00:21:33) sewage, and Brad says Richmound has been (00:21:36) working to get provincial support to (00:21:38) fund the cleanup. [music] They've been (00:21:39) left with the cult's mess. But when I (00:21:42) call him after the cult's departure, his (00:21:44) mood is light. Brad tells me that he (00:21:47) hopes to turn September 3rd, the day (00:21:49) Romana got arrested, into a local (00:21:51) holiday to commemorate the occasion. (00:21:54) >> I said I'd make a new uh policy that (00:21:56) everyone that lives in Richmond and area (00:21:59) we have a stat holiday for them people (00:22:01) and they have to get paid by the (00:22:03) companies and they probably would pay (00:22:05) the day off. (00:22:06) >> You want to do so if all goes well this (00:22:09) will be a holiday in Richmond September (00:22:10) 3rd. (00:22:11) >> Yeah, you [music] bet you. (00:22:13) >> What do we call it? If it is, if it ends (00:22:14) up being a holiday, what do we call it? (00:22:16) >> Time to get pissed. [laughter] (00:22:21) >> Brad feels like he's getting his home (00:22:23) back. The community he loves. (00:22:25) >> That's the feeling. That brick has been (00:22:27) taken off our chest. Each and every one (00:22:29) of us and our kids are free to play (00:22:31) [music] and they'll be at the park and (00:22:33) everybody's face will have a big smile (00:22:35) on. (00:22:39) >> I still see a big hurdle to get over. (00:22:43) Shauna says that even though the cult is (00:22:46) gone, Richmound is still broken, (00:22:49) >> which is some of the people that are (00:22:53) newer to the community, you know, that (00:22:55) came here within the last 5 years who (00:22:57) have interfered and intervened with (00:23:00) [music] people trying to put a stop to (00:23:02) the cult being here. Like, how can you (00:23:05) show your faith in this community? What (00:23:07) am I supposed to say to those people? (00:23:09) [music] And so as much as I feel like (00:23:11) celebrating and saying, "Let's get the (00:23:13) town together. Let's have a potluck (00:23:16) party celebration or or something," do I (00:23:19) really want those people to come? (00:23:21) [music] No. I probably would just be (00:23:24) very happy if they left. (00:23:31) >> I have the uh I should say I have the (00:23:33) honor and privilege to announce her (00:23:35) royal majesty. More than 400 km away, (00:23:38) Romana is in the city of Regina where (00:23:41) she's living as part of her bail (00:23:42) conditions. (00:23:44) It's a sunny Monday morning and she's (00:23:46) broadcasting from a sparsely decorated (00:23:48) living room. She has hung her kingdom's (00:23:50) flag in the window and set up a camera (00:23:52) to live stream to her followers. (00:23:55) >> And uh it seems we have [laughter] (00:23:58) a very special treat. So, I'm going to (00:24:01) mute the rest of us. Romana backs up (00:24:04) from the camera and starts to dance. (00:24:07) Her internet connection is unstable, so (00:24:09) the music doesn't come through (00:24:10) consistently, but I can tell she's (00:24:12) dancing to her personal cover of (00:24:14) Rasputin by Bonym. Two other women join (00:24:17) in dancing with her, and her royal (00:24:19) puppies, Comet and Princess, bounce (00:24:21) around her, barking. (00:24:25) The rich mound school is condemned and (00:24:28) sits empty. Romana's followers are now (00:24:31) scattered with no home base. Her online (00:24:34) following is dwindling, far from the (00:24:36) peak of 78,000. (00:24:38) They're now down to a couple thousand in (00:24:40) the Telegram channel. But still, her (00:24:43) remaining followers continue to tune in (00:24:45) and donate. In the final days of (00:24:48) reporting for this series, I get a (00:24:50) message on Telegram. Someone calling (00:24:53) themselves Queen Romana asks if [music] (00:24:55) I'm interested in getting access to a (00:24:57) medbed. (00:24:59) I am confident this isn't really Romana, (00:25:01) [music] but it makes me think in the (00:25:04) kingdom she's built where the truth is (00:25:06) subjective and misinformation is the (00:25:08) norm, she has primed her followers to be (00:25:11) taken advantage of and there are (00:25:14) countless other scammers behind her (00:25:17) waiting [music] to take the throne. (00:25:20) Thank you to her royal majesty Queen (00:25:23) Romano Dello I for that very special (00:25:26) treat and dancing to Rasputin. (00:25:32) But in spite of everything on this (00:25:34) bright Monday in Regina, Romana gets to (00:25:37) keep on dancing. (00:25:42) [music] (00:25:48) >> [music] (00:25:58) [music] (00:26:09) >> You've been listening to The Cult Queen (00:26:10) of Canada from CBC's Uncover. The Cult (00:26:14) Queen of Canada is a production of New (00:26:16) Metric Media and Muse Entertainment for (00:26:18) CBC podcasts. The show is hosted by me, (00:26:21) Rachel Brown. It's written and produced (00:26:23) by Pippa Johnstone and Rachel Brown. The (00:26:26) series producer is Chris Kelly. Sound (00:26:28) design and original music by Mark (00:26:30) Angley. Our senior producer is Jeff (00:26:33) Turner. Our digital producer is Emily (00:26:35) Canel. The series was developed by Chris (00:26:38) Kelly, Courtney Dobbins, and Rachel (00:26:39) Brown. For New Metric Media, the (00:26:42) executive producer is Mark Montto Fior. (00:26:44) The vice presidents of podcasts are (00:26:46) Chris Kelly and Pat Kelly. For Muse (00:26:49) Entertainment, executive producers are (00:26:51) Courtney Dobbins and Jonas Prus. Our (00:26:54) podcast art was designed by Good Tape (00:26:56) Studio. Our cross promo producer is (00:26:58) Amanda Cox. Our video producers are Evan (00:27:02) Agard, Tamina Aziz, and John Lee. (00:27:05) Special thanks to the Walrus magazine, (00:27:07) Lauren Burkovich, Mirron GDay, and (00:27:09) Nathan How. Additional voices by Amatai (00:27:13) Marmmerstein, Elena Guthrie, Joel (00:27:15) Garner, and Courtney Shields. [music] (00:27:17) Additional recording by Dominique (00:27:19) Feritin. Fact-ecking by Alexis Green. (00:27:22) Legal review by Melissa Raymond. (00:27:24) Transcriptions by Natalyia Ferguson. (00:27:27) Executive producers are Cesil Fernandez (00:27:29) and Chris Oak. Tanya Springer is the (00:27:31) senior manager. RF Nurani is the (00:27:34) director and Leslie Merkelinger is the (00:27:36) executive director of CBC podcasts. (00:27:40) If you're enjoying the show, consider (00:27:42) checking out another series from CBC. (00:27:45) One I really like is called Allison (00:27:47) After Nexium. This series tells the (00:27:50) story of Allison Mack, the former (00:27:52) Smallville actress who became a (00:27:53) highranking member of the Nexium cult (00:27:56) and a convicted felon. We follow (00:27:58) Allison's release from prison and her (00:28:00) efforts to rebuild her life. (00:28:01) >> [music] (00:28:01) >> You can find it along with all other CBC (00:28:04) podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.