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MADELAIN FLORA HARDISTY-NEVEAU
Born: Nov 30, 1963
Date of Passing: Oct 19, 2021
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MADELAIN FLORA HARDISTY-NEVEAU
B.A., B.S.W., M.S.W.
November 30, 1963 - October 19, 2021
She was predeceased by her parents, Edna and Arnold Hardisty; her grandparents, Philomene and Adam Hardisty and Madeline and Louis Bear; uncles, Joseph Boyd, George Hardisty and Louis E. Bear; nephews, Jason Young, Cory and David Hardisty, Quenton and Baby Boy Smith; brother-in-law Walter Starr; and in-laws, Charity and Ralph Neveau.
She will be remembered with love and affection by many friends and family, especially by her beloved husband Ralph Edward Neveau, who she had walked with since their marriage in 1997.
Madelain was very close to her siblings, Danny (Marian), Marcel (Bernadette), Carole (the late Walter), Donna (Charles), Victor (the late Roselyn), Norbert (Vivian), Laura, Brent (Rhonda), Rhonda (Art), and to many nieces and nephews of the Hardisty family including Saxony Hardisty and Carly Bear whom she helped raise.
She will also be remembered by her sisters-in-law, Debbie (Dave), Linda (Herb), Joanne (Manfred), and Cathy; brother-in-law Conrad (Nadine), and many nieces and nephews of the Neveau family.
Her memory will be held equally close by her daughter by custom adoption Charity and her husband Wallace Seymour and their children.
Madelain packed her life full.
Born into Hollow Water First Nation, Madelain adored the cliff-top ranch house her husband custom-built and together they hosted countless family birthdays and holiday get togethers.
From girlhood, Madelain pursued higher education; her strong sense of purpose and heartfelt determination for social justice propelled her into social work. She was a former employee of Southeast Child and Family Services, an Indigenous Agency in Manitoba and gave 28 years of service to her chosen profession.
She earned two undergraduate degrees and a graduate degree in social work and was an early advocate and pioneer of community-based child and family service programs in Manitoba.
She eventually shifted her focus to contract work in the mental health profession to further community development and family restoration.
She was a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for the work she and her husband did with the military. She travelled overseas twice in 2017 representing Indigenous contingents at memorials for service men and women in the battles of Vimy Ridge and Dieppe.
She assisted in delivering cultural camps for Indigenous youth with the Canadian Armed Forces together with her husband from 2008 to 2018.
A strong traditionalist, Madelain was involved in maintaining and preserving original Anishinabe Teachings for more than three decades.
Among her greatest joys was learning about her culture, language, history, science and laws, restoring their place and deconstructing the colonial frameworks which contributed to more than a century of assimilationist and genocidal policies in Canada against Indigenous people.
The abiding faith and the strength that her culture and language gave her, which she shared with the people she loved and worked with, marks among her greatest legacies.
She enjoyed making her own ribbon skirts, loved going to movies with her husband, friends and family and adored everything to do with the outdoors.
She loved visiting with her sisters and felt so enriched with the company of her nieces and nephews. She was as much at home on her quad as she was watching movies.
She was diagnosed with mesothelioma and kept going, taking day trips with her husband, friends and family and enjoying life. Her poise, her humour and her grace taught everyone around her how to live, even as cancer took over her life.
She will be interred at her home community Friday, following the four-day wake and a traditional ceremony at 12:00 noon, Friday, October 22 at Ed and Madelain's home.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 21, 2021
Condolences & Memories (12 entries)
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Very sad to read this, I worked with both Madeline and Ed while in the Military. I was the facilitator or coordinator for the Raven Program. A program that touched my heart like no ever in my 35 yrs of service. I learned so much from Ed and Madeline about the aboriginal way of life, it was beautiful and I was privileged to be in there space . Culture Camp, Sweat Lodge, sharing circles , the Creator and so much more. Sending you all much love Joe Proctor - Posted by: Joseph Proctor (Friend ) on: Nov 19, 2021
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Sorry to hear of your great loss, Madelain was an exceptional lady, who was strong in her cultural ways and beliefs. I will always cherish her unwavering commitment to the ways of our people. I had the privilege to attend the ceremony yesterday in her home community of Hollow Water First Nation, what an honour to have witnessed this beautiful ceremony. Nakiskatitoyahki - until we meet again. - Posted by: Germaine Brass (Colleague/friend) on: Oct 23, 2021
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My sincere condolences to Ed, Charity, the Hardisty and Neveau families and to Madelain and Ed's many close friends. I am saddened that Madelain passed so soon but believe her bright spirit will shine on in the many lives she touched. The other night as I prayed under the full moon, I thought of Madelain and the teachings she shared during her lifetime of giving to others. Although my time with her was much too short, I am grateful for those few precious moments in her presence. I continue to be dazzled by the depth and complexity of her knowledge and am inspired by her example of what it means to be a good human/Anishinaabekwe. Louise Landygo - Posted by: Louise Landygo (Friend) on: Oct 22, 2021
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Ed. Sorry to hear of your loss, your beautiful wife of many years. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to meet Madelaine a few years back. We became friends, worked together and attended University where we obtained our Bachelor of Social Work degrees. Madelaine had a big heart with love, caring and compassion towards others. Her love for others gave her determination to do the kind of work she did from social work to providing counselling services. She will be greatly missed, especially her uniqueness, she was one of a kind and always showed respect and compassion towards others. I am glad I had a chance to see Madelaine recently, we chatted about the work I do now. She was happy and encouraged me to continue and do my best. I will always remember her words of wisdom and carry them with me. Sorry I couldn’t be there today. - Posted by: Genevieve Bruce (Friend and a former co worker) on: Oct 22, 2021
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Our sincere condolences to the family during this difficult time. Madelain was a shining example of dedication of true belief in keeping our way of life alive. I learned many things from her over the time I knew her. She is now with all the rest who continue to help us and love us. Des and family - Posted by: Des Mentuck and family (Anishinabek ) on: Oct 21, 2021
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Sincere condolences to her husband and Hardisty family 🦅 - Posted by: Lisa Paul (Friend) on: Oct 21, 2021
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I send my condolences to u Ed and ur family, I met her when I was 5 years old at Black River ceremonies I was just a kid she taught me lots I'm sure going to miss her - Posted by: Emily (Friend) on: Oct 21, 2021
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To Ed and Madelain’s Family - It was an honour and privilege to have met and worked along side Madelain throughout my career journey. Madelain was the best cultural teacher, my supporter, and mentor in my life. Madelain was great listener, had an good sense of humour, and was a great friend. Madelain gave me so much inspiration and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to have her in my life. I will forever keep her in my memory. May the creator comfort you during this difficult time. - Posted by: Lucinda Massan (Former coworker/ friend ) on: Oct 21, 2021
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Ed, Conrad and I offer our sincere condolences to you and all her family. Sending prayers to all. May her memory carry on in the hearts of those she loved! - Posted by: Flora & Conrad Bushie (Friend) on: Oct 21, 2021
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So sorry to hear of her passing. My heart is broken, a wonderful Anishinabe Ikwe🦅. I feel lucky to have known her and I will treasure our times spent together, mostly during Ceremony time. My condolences to her husband Ed and the Family. Journey well! - Posted by: Mentuck Grace (Friend) on: Oct 21, 2021
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Dear Ed, I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife. Madelain sounded like a truly extraordinary person that lived and enjoyed life to its very fullest. I always recall how your eyes would light up with pride and love when you talked about her. Sending tight hugs and prayers during this very difficult time! - Posted by: Kelly-Lynn Bekar (former colleague of Ed) on: Oct 21, 2021
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What a remarkable and achieved woman! From following her educational dreams to help others, to preserving her Indigenous traditions along the way, she spoke her truth. May her spirit walk with Creator and also with each person with whom she lovingly shared her life. I sincerely hope that someone drums and sings “The Strong Woman Song” especially for her! Miigwetch! 💗 - Posted by: Heather Matthes - (Shining Eyes) Wolf Woman (Reader) on: Oct 21, 2021
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