CHIEF FRANCIS FLETT

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CHIEF FRANCIS FLETT Francis was born Wednesday, June 15, 1949 on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba son of the late George Angus and Martha (nee: Ballantyne) Flett. He became Chief of Opaskwayak Cree Nation in 1992 holding three terms. He then moved on to become Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak for two terms. He was then elected for Manitoba Regional Chief of Assembly of First Nation Chiefs serving as Regional Chief of Manitoba and then came home to be Chief for his community. Prior to becoming Chief in 1992 he was a Councillor for 14 years. He worked for River Sawmill now known as Tolko, Manitoba. He worked as an OCN Constable, and as a young man he worked for Extra Gangs. He worked for Awasis Agency as a Child and Family Services Worker and Child Protection. He enjoyed playing his sports such as hockey, canoeing and soccer as he was known for his left foot. He was married to Judith Rubilia Cochrane, January 29, 1971 and with her he raised their children and would often take other children and family into the home. His children recall one year there were 14 of them and they would go home early, as they wanted a good spot to sleep, which they considered the couch. He was a very good provider for his family as he trapped, hunted and was very dedicated to his work. He often would take his family out trapping. On one occasion he took his children out to the trap line and began walking about one mile from his truck, one of his daughters noticed a pack of wolves and said, Look dad at those dogs and he made his children and wife run back to the truck. He then yelled for his son Garth to stop as he was running in the front with the gun leaving his siblings and mother behind. He would go out often with Harvey Mink and Glenn Ross. He was a very humble man and was willing to help people and community out big or small. He was accepting and forgiving of others and would often share his wisdom. He had a grade five education and was self-taught and in his early years of politics he was often known to carry a small dictionary. He valued education regularly advocating his family and community members to achieve their potentials. He had a great and sometimes a twisted sense of humour and enjoyed joking with all those around him, often playing practical jokes. He was very concerned for and would always worry about his children, family and friends even when he was very ill. He would say I am okay don't worry about me! The last couple of weeks with us he would tell his children and siblings that he was tired and that he wanted to go and be with his mom and dad. He often would talk with his children and family trying to prepare them and would always tell them to take care of and support each other. After a long battle with diabetes Francis passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2006 at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 56 years. Francis leaves to mourn, his wife Judith R. (nee: Cochrane) Flett; his children: Garth Daniel, Keith Crain, Colleen Joyce (Clifford McDonnick), Eugene Cochrane, Janice Nicole, George Angus (Julia Lathlin), Stephen John (Jackie Brightnose) Cochrane, Myrna (Leonard McGinnis Jr.) and Heather Lori (Shane Samatte); his grandchildren: Francis Adora Beth Flett-Young, Nikky Lynnette Flett, Ashley Gwen Flett, Judy Nicole Desiree Flett, Sheldon Nicholas Flett, Hailey Veronica ChamberlainFlett, Trinity Janea Lathlin-Flett, Whitley Jenna Lathlin-Flett, Shane Arthur Bighetty, Charles John Thomas Sinclair, Julia Rose Sinclair, Danielle Victoria Sinclair, Shane Arthur Francis FlettSamatte and Georgia Kelly Flett-Samatte; his sister whom he was very close to: Josephine (Norman) Budd; his eldest sister Nancy (Lucien) Spence and his brothers: George (Maggie) and Henry (Rebecca Garson) Flett; sisters-in-law: Maggie Cochrane, Olive Cochrane, Gladys Richards, Patricia Cochrane and Agnes Flett; brother-in-law: Melvin Fosseneuve; his god-child Georgina Spence; his Aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews as they are too numerous to mention; all his family members from Shoal Lake, Red Earth, Muskoday and Cumberland House, Saskatchewan; all his family in Opaskwayak, Easterville, Peguis, Fairford, Winnipeg and Grand Rapids, Manitoba. His family from Oxford, England: Watson Lake, Yukon and Calgary, Alberta; his good friends: Louisa Constant, James Young, Pat Constant, Kevin Carlson, Glen Ross, Cindy Woodhouse, Charles Fox, Herman Lathlin, Ralph Nasekapow, Ray Bayer, Harold Turner, Joe Hyslop, Gilbert Lathlin, Dennis White Bird, Sidney Garrioch, Phillip Buck, Kerry Bignell, Jim Smith, Frank Whitehead, Zack Moore, Harvey Mink, Gordon Mousie and Sue Constant, Lawrence Cheese Buck and all those that knew him as they are too numerous to mention. Francis was predeceased by his parents George Angus and Martha (nee: Ballantyne) Flett; his brother: the late Johnny Flett and his sister Rachel and brother-in-law Arthur Crain. His brother Duncan Flett and two other sisters, names unknown. His father-in-law and mother-in-law, John Thomas and Victoria (nee: Cook) Cochrane. His sisters-in-law: Bernadette Fossenueve, Vera Sayese; brothers-in-law: Henry Sayese, Bruce Cochrane, Greg Cochrane. His best friend Wayne Young. Uncles Baptiste Ross, Antoine (Phyllis) Flett. His nieces Delores Crain and Valerie Crain. Cousins; Sam Lathlin, Joe Ross, and Auntie Agnes Ross. Great Nephews: Randy Joseph Spence and Lawrence Guiboche. A Wake Service was held Tuesday, March 14, 2005 and Wednesday, March 15, 2005 at the Church of Messiah, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba. The Funeral Service was held Thursday, March 16, 2006, 2:00 p.m. at the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba with Rev. Jim Sayese, Rev. Grahme Spear and Rev. Martin Bradbury presiding. Scripture Reading: Frank Whitehead and Steve Cochrane. Eulogy: Kevin Carlson. Tribute song: Josephine Budd. A Tribute on behalf of the family was given by Garth Flett. Pallbearers were Garth Flett, son; Ken Crain, nephew; George Flett, son; Tony Flett, nephew; Steven Cochrane, son; Kevin Carson, friend; James Young, friend; Ray Bayer, friend Henry Flett, brother; Harold Turner, friend; Neil Flett, nephew; Kerry Bignell, friend; Glenn Ross, friend; Joe Hyslop, friend; Douglas Spence, nephew; Phillip Buck, friend; Keith Crain, son; Norman Budd, brother-in-law; Ralph Nasekapow, friend; Gordon Mousie Constant, friend. Honorary Pallbearers were his friends, family, OCN Council, Opaskwayak Cree Nation Staff, Swampy Cree Tribal Council and Staff, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Chiefs and Staff, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Staff, Assembly of First Nation Chiefs and Staff and his community members whom he dedicated his life working for as he cared for all. Interment took place in Emmanuel Cemetery, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba. Hemauer Funeral Home, The Pas, Manitoba, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 05, 2006