Tributes
Joe Tsannie Senior
January 7, 1953 - July 15, 2012
Senator Gerald Bear
April 19, 1941 - December 4, 2012
Former, Councillor and Chief, Senator Gerald Bear was a
man that will be remembered for his kindness and humour.
He served his people throughout his life through leadership in his community, and through his faith.
He was a Councillor in Shoal Lake Cree Nation for two
terms before becoming Chief for a term. On January 27th,
1981, he was inducted into FSIN as a Senator. He also
served as an Ordained Anglican Priest.
He later was recognized as a Senator for the Prince Albert
Grand Council. Senator Bear was always an important
support to the leadership of PAGC, attending many meetings over the years. A strong family man and good friend
to all who knew him.
A former leader/good friend had this to say: “Known to all
as a very humble but dedicated lifelong servant for his God
and his people, he was the epitome of faith, Hope and
love. Rich in his faith, he had hope for all that is good and
love for his people”
Joe was born in ‘the bush’ on the shores of Sunrise Lake
in Northern Saskatchewan. He grew up with a passion for
the outdoors; hunting, trapping, fishing were his favorite
pastimes and activities he loved to share with his family
and friends. From a young age, Joe attended residential school where he made lifelong friendships with classmates from across Saskatchewan. He went on to become
a leader in his home community of Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation, holding the honoured and respected
position of Chief for several years.
Most notably in his leadership role, Joe was an advocate
for post secondary education, as evidenced by his years of
commitment to the Northern Teacher Education Program
(NORTEP) Board of Directors. Joe also worked with the
mining industry in several capacities. Most recently, as a
Community Liaison with Cameco, ensuring that information and opportunities were available to far north community members.
Joe was an artist and well known for his musical (fiddle
and guitar) and artistic (oil paints) abilities; he also excelled in traditional crafts and activities. Joe was a son,
husband, father, uncle, grandfather, godfather and great
grandfather. He played a major role in the lives of all his
relations.
His children share memories of their dad eating ice cream
at the kitchen table; creating painted masterpieces; teaching them how to play the guitar; trips to far off places; hunting caribou and sleeping under the stars; late night fiddling
at the band hall; snowmobile rides to the cabin; and his
undying love and support!
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Edwin Boneleye
August 28, 1957 - March 27, 2013
Edwin Boneleye was born in 1957 to Edward & Mary Madeline Boneleye.He and his brothers grew up hunting, trapping & fishing along with their late dad. He worked in the
Mining Industry in his early 20s at the Rabbit Lake Mine as
a Mill Operator. After getting married to Helen and having
children in the early 1980s, it didn’t take Edwin long before he got involved in local politics. He was first elected
councillor in his late 20s. This was the beginning of a long
career in politics. Early on Edwin was a strong advocate
for the safety and protection of our environment, he had
served on the EQC board monitoring the environment with
the mine companies. Growing up living off the land hunting and fishing, he appreciated & respected the land & the
wildlife and always spoke up about the protection of our
lands and handing it down to generations to come. Edwin
was one of the planning committee members who came
up with the idea of bringing an annual Dene traditional and
religious pilgrimage to the north. We call this annual gathering Pine Channel Pilgrimage today.
Edwin was elected Chief of Black Lake in the late Nineties,
he served one term as Chief. During his term, He helped
negotiate a frame work agreement for the development of
a regional hospital in the community. That hospital is now
known as the Athabasca Health Authority and is situated
on the Louis Chicken reserve by Stony Rapids. After his
term as Chief, Edwin continued his political career serving
as councillor. Edwin was also a long time board member of
the Athabasca Health Authority; he lent his political expertise and experience in developing and implementing policies for the regional hospital. Amidst all his accomplishments over the years he remained humble. Edwin’s work,
commitment and legacy to the people of Black Lake and
surrounding communities will remain strong through his
leadership by example.
Peter Brook
April 10, 1944 - June 28, 2012
Peter was a kind and gentle man who gave much of himself to work alongside others to support those who were
not bring treated fairly. He had a 40 year career as a community developer and never lost sight of his commitment
to social justice. His perseverance and determination
leaves a legacy that has touched the lives of many people,
particularly those in Northern Saskatchewan. Although
Peter dedicated a large portion of his life to his work, he
managed to make time for his volunteer work as well. He
devoted a lot of his energy to the sport of rowing through
his involvement in the rowing club in Prince Albert and its
development. He was President of this club in Prince Albert, then as president of the Saskatchewan rowing association and then on the board at a national level as well
as Vice President of Rowing Canada Aviron. This major
contribution to this sport earned him the Sask Sport Volunteer Recognition Award in 2009.
Peter’s work with the PAGC began in 1984, and throughout that time he worked tirelessly to devoting his time to
the betterment of aboriginal people throughout our communities. Mr. Brook was the first Executive Director of the
PAGC and as such began a lengthy career that produced
great results, partnerships and a lifetime of respect from
all who knew him. He lived a healthy, athletic lifestyle, with
a deep connection to the land. An inspiration to all who
knew him for his dedication to everything he did. His life
well served the Prince Albert Grand Council and for that
we will always be thankful and can never thank the family
enough.
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