Elaine HALL-PRATT

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HALL-PRATT: Elaine Joyce Hall-Pratt - B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed. Nape Was’te Win. Ato Win. The family of Elaine Joyce Hall-Pratt are saddened to announce the passing of their beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and sister-in-law on March 3, 2017. Elaine is the third eldest child born July 4, 1956 to the late Soloman and Mary Hall of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Manitoba. Elaine is predeceased by her parents Soloman Hall and Mary Hall; brothers, Ronald Hall, Rick Nicola; sister Dr. Meredith Blue. She is survived by the love of her life, Kenneth Pratt Sr.; sons, Stacey Sinclair, Kenneth Pratt Jr. (Dottie Pratt), Greg Grey Cloud, Bryson Rabbit; grandchildren Malik Sinclair, Averi Begaye, Mahpiya Pratt; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins across Canada and the United States; siblings, Karen Sinclair, Ramona Hall (Paul Rosario), Louise Hall (Rollan Fillion), Frank Hall, Joanne Chalmers (Rob Chalmers Sr.), Ethel Nelson (Irving Nelson), Colleen Hall, Mark Hall (Janis Wheeler), Sandra Storm, Mana Taypotat, Sid Harris, Dr. Art Blue, Rose Marsden, Chuck Storm, Dave Courchene (Orianna Courchene), Ken Courchene (Rose Courchene), Karen White, Eric Robinson, Derrick Henderson, Dana Davenport, Darcy Pelltier, Norma Goulet (Dana Goulet) - all Hunka relatives. Hunka family: Art Amiotte (Jan Amiotte), Kunshi Freda Goodsell. On May 29, 1976 Elaine met the love of her life, Kenneth Pratt Sr. “hooked up” and married August 21, 1981. Elaine’s life was one that was called a dream life. She was a scholar and education was key to her many successes in life. In 1976 she graduated Grade 12 from Virden Collegiate; in 1980 Bachelor of Arts, Brandon University; in 1982 Education Teaching Certificate, Brandon University; in 1985 Bachelor of Education, 5th year, Brandon University; in 1998 Master of Education Degree, Brandon University. Elaine was a Dakota Historian, she researched the language and her language base was astronomical which led her to become a Dakota Language Curriculum Developer/Instructor. This vast knowledge contributed toward her love to teach and share, and she was very generous about sharing her knowledge. She taught in Fort Alexander First Nation (Sakgeeng), Sioux Valley Dakota Nation School and later contracted for different organizations. A volleyball player/coach for the school, she loved to promote young peoples’ talents and skills and was always there cheering them on. She also developed a skill in golfing which Derrick Henderson taught both her and Ken. Her love to create beautiful beadwork came from her grandmother, Nora Duncan. She loved cooking for Sundances, was a Sundancer for life, Pow Wow dancer (fancy shawl and jingle dress). She loved to travel to far pow-wows to dance and in later years she supported her son and husband as they sat at the drum. She would sit and watch while beading new regalia for her family and friends. Elaine was a Hunka Society member (Hunka mother). Being a Hunka mother, she fed during the Sundance ceremony. During funerals she was very active in helping especially with the “Wiping of the Tears” Ceremony. This ceremony commemorates being given the “right” to live the traditional way of life. She was an educator/teacher in all she did. She helped many young people to believe in themselves, her support meant a lot to those youth who excelled in their skills because of it. She was a pow wow performer, a Head woman judge at various pow-wows, travelling across Canada and the United States. One special trip she loved was to Hawaii where she went with her sister Colleen. Elaine was a resilient Dakota Winyan (woman), a survivor of the Residential School Era. She professed herself not to be victimized, she advocated through her work to help many families. In 2010, Elaine was diagnosed with cancer. Through her struggles and will to keep living - she continued to be humorous, kept busy with beading projects, doing presentations at the Sioux Valley School and high school and tutored high school and university students while still supporting her family and friends. This will be her Legacy: “A woman who loved so much”We have shared treasured moments of our dear mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, sister and sister-in-law. She was our gift to have; we are forever grateful for the time she spent on this earth and she will be forever lovingly missed and remembered. The family would like to thank Brockie-Donovan for their care and compassion with making the arrangements. Also thank you to Brandon Regional Health Centre and Health Sciences Centere for taking such good care of Elaine.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 01, 2017