GLADYS EVELYN COOK, O.M. (TAYLOR)

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GLADYS EVELYN COOK, O.M. (nee TAYLOR) Topahdewin - she stands with spirits in the four directions. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Gladys on May 9, 2009 at the Portage District General Hospital. She was blessed with 79 years of life. She is predeceased by her father Elijah, mother Ruth, husband Clifford and daughter Jean. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Pat; sons, John (Jackie), Darrel (Lorie), and Jeff (Judy); grandchildren, Chelsea, Heather, Elijah, Jason, Leslee, Nolan, Sidney, Emily, Nathan and Joshua; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Gladys, Tyanna, Shaleea, Keadis and Trisha; as well as several brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and adopted children and grandchildren. Mom was born in a tent on the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation on August 18, 1929. At the age of four, Mom was removed from her home and taken to the Elkhorn Residential School. Mom remained at the school until she was 16 years old, surviving the several forms of abuse therein. After a brief return to her family on the reserve, she moved to Yankton South Dakota where she found a housekeeping position at the local hospital. At the end of the Second World War, Mom volunteered to work on a hospital ship that brought wounded soldiers back from Hawaii and Guam to San Diego. After this service, she returned to Yankton where she met a young navy vet, Clifford Cook. At one point of their loving courtship, rather than a formal proposal, dad gave mom $15 to buy herself a wedding ring and on September 29, 1950, they were wed. After the births of John and Jean, Mom returned to Canada and eventually settled in Portage la Prairie. There she took positions in the local residential school as well as house cleaning positions in local homes. Eventually she honed her innate skills as a nurturing listener to become a drug and alcohol abuse counselor for the friendship centre and the coordinator of the National Native Alcohol Drug abuse Program in Portage. Overcoming the adversity of her childhood and early adult years, she worked tirelessly with the Agassiz Youth Centre, Women's Correctional Centre as well as local Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and Al-Ateen Groups. Gladys dedicated her life to the betterment to all people in general and to a better understanding of her own people in particular. Her humanitarian endeavors locally, provincially, nationally and internationally have earned her many accolades. These include the Governor General's Award for advocating women's rights, the Order of Manitoba, the Canada 125 medal for outstanding citizenship, the Premier's Award for extensive volunteer work, YM/YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, Manitoba Medical Association Award for Health or Safety Promotion, the Order of Rupertsland for the promoting native education in the ministry, and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award. The Gladys Cook Education Centre in Portage la Prairie bears her name to honor the difference she has made in the lives of youth in that community. Some of the groups that benefited from her work in Board positions included Dr. Jessie Salteaux Centre in Beausejour; Quest home for Girls in Portage la Prairie; Provincial Advisory Committee on Child Abuse; Marymound School; Canada Central Trustee Self Help Program for families of alcoholics; Rupertsland Council of Indigenous People; RCMP Commanding Officer's Aboriginal Advisory committee, D Division; Child and Family Services - Native Advisory, the Provincial Women's Advisory Council, Anglican Council of Indigenous People, Manitoba Aboriginal Council for the Canadian Cancer Society; three person selection committee for the location of the new Manitoba Women's correctional institute. She has worked with spiritual care givers and chaplains as a member of the Manitoba Council of Elders for Corrections, with the National Association of Cultural Centres teaching Dakota culture to federal employees in Hull, Quebec. She also provided aboriginal awareness training to Manitoba Justice corrections staff and other employees working with native people. Her workshops dealing with residential school issues have been presented in both native and non-native communities. She has also been a guest presenter on aboriginal awareness, substance abuse and social issues at various local schools and agencies, the Winnipeg Education Centre, and Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba. She frequently conducts sharing circles and native spirituality sessions at churches throughout the province. Mom was a model of patience and love. Her courage, compassion and tireless energy enabled her to make a difference in countless lives. Memorial Service and celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity United Church, Portage la Prairie, with Rev. Norman Collier officiating. A traditional Service will be held at the hall at Sioux Valley Dakota Nation on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. with interment to follow at the Anglican Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made to any of the above groups in her name. WE WILL BE KNOWN FOREVER BY THE TRACKS WE LEAVE . Dakota Indian Proverb A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. 857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 11, 2009