George Poitras

POITRAS-GEORGE LAWRENCE Poitras Paskwaw-Mostos-Kapimotet (Walking Buffalo) passed away November 7, 2005 at the Fort Qu'Appelle All Nations Healing Hospital at the age of 68 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Enoch and Martha (Brass) and one brother, Eugene and is survived by his wife of 43 years, Marie Alma (Quinney), his children, Evelyn, Lawrence(Debbie), Michael (Claudia), Brian (Nicole), Diane (Todd), Angelina (Lester) Favel, 14 grandchildren, Dominique, Larissa, Jeanine, Joshua, Bobbi, Michael Jr., Jonas, Jiles, Reanna, Jessica, Gordon, Miyoskamin, Thomas and Brandon, 9 brothers and sisters, Louise Bear, Elmer (Edith), Leon (Olive), Enoch (Linda), James (Delma), Lillian (Percy), Elaine (Delmey) Flamont, David (Sarah), Vera (Joe Q.), a sister-in-law Sharon, aunt Olive Bellegarde as well as numerous nieces and nephews. George graduated from the Qu'Appelle Indian Residential School and then he went to Teachers College in Moose Jaw. He taught for thirteen years at various Indian schools in Saskatchewan. While teaching at St. Anthony's Residential School on the Onion Lake Reserve, he met Marie Alma Quinney who he would marry and raise a family with on the Peepeekisis First Nation. George was a well known athlete and enjoyed sports as a player as well as a spectator all of his life. In 1957 at the age of 19 he became the first of two Saskatchewan Indian athletes to win the Tom Longboat Trophy award as Best Indian Athlete in Canada. He was a defenseman in hockey for many years playing with Q.I.R.S., Yorkton Terriers, Kamsack Flyers, Balcarres Broncs, Fort Falcons, Sioux Indians, Lloydminster Borderchiefs as well as in Moose Jaw. He played and coached basketball, baseball, minor and senior fastball and also enjoyed curling, football and soccer. After teaching, George entered politics serving as Councillor and Chief for Peepeekisis. As Chief, he emphasized educational development with the Peepeekisis Indian Teachers Education Program and helped to initiate the careers of many teachers. In the area of economic development he helped develop an agri-energy business and the development of ethanol and its by products remained a passion for the rest of his life. George dedicated his lifetime to the development of Indian people on Peepeekisis and in Saskatchewan. In his final years, George loved being at home with his family and he enjoyed being in the center of family gatherings surrounded by all of his grandchildren. As his children and family, we were blessed by the most generous and brightest spirit we have ever known and who we dearly loved for all the time the Creator loaned him to all of us. We will never forget our beloved "Nohtawiynan". Nothing could get you down, dad, may you rest now. A wake will be held in the Whitecalf Gymnasium in Lebret, Sask., on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The funeral mass will be celebrated in Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Lebret, Sask., on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. by the Rev. Wojciech Wojtkowiak. Interment in Poitras Family Cemetery. A traditional feast will follow at the Peepeekisis Pesakastew School Gym.