STANLEY ALBERT FONTAINE

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STANLEY ALBERT FONTAINE

It is with profound sadness that our family announces the passing of our brother, Father Stanley Albert Fontaine of the Sagkeeng (Fort Alexander) First Nation. After a long, courageous battle with cancer, Stanley passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026, at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg.

Stanley was born on July 8, 1947, to his parents Stanley Ambrose Fontaine and Elizabeth Beatrice Fontaine (nee Guimond). He was the second child in the total of 11 children and he was the eldest son in the family.

Stan leaves behind six siblings: sisters, Bertha, Irma, Ingrid, and Iris; brothers, Barry and Derry; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and relatives. He was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Elizabeth; his baby sister Maxine (at nine months); his sister Ann in 1992; his brother Arnold in 2010; and his brother Darrell in 2013.

Stanley was born and raised at the Sagkeeng First Nation. At a very early age, he attended the Fort Alexander Indian Residential School. Stanley shared that from a very early age, he felt called to become a priest. In his teen years, he chose to attend the Otterburne seminary in Manitoba, where he graduated high school. During these years, along with his academics, he received instruction to become a Roman Catholic priest. In 1966, after graduation, he left to attend the seminary in Rome, where he continued his studies and instructions to become a priest. Stanley was ordained to the priesthood on October 7, 1984, for the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan.

Stanley was known for his intelligence and strong academic skills. He achieved a Bachelor of Arts (University of Manitoba), a Bachelor of Theology (University of Ottawa), and a Master of Arts (University of Ottawa), all with high academic standing. Stanley then worked with various First Nations organizations, including Sagkeeng First Nation and Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council in Brandon. He worked on Aboriginal governance, program/policy development, government funding, and community development. He assisted in writing the Constitution for Sagkeeng First Nation which resulted in the creation of the now existing Sagkeeng Laws. He worked as an advisor and consultant in many organizations including Native Addictions Council of Manitoba.

Although his work was successful and valuable in these organizations, he said he knew that his calling to minister as a priest was still very strong in him. He returned to the ministry in 2022 for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, ministering to people of the church and helping to promote healing through the “truth and reconciliation” model. He shared that he considered his greatest work and greatest achievement was when he helped people to know and walk with God and to help them in their healing. Stan was known for his integrity, humility, respect, compassion, and kindness. He has been called a gentle ‘man of God.’ He will be greatly missed by his family and relatives, by his church family at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Indigenous Catholic Parish and by many First Nations communities.

A wake will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 6:00-9:00 p.m., with prayers at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Both services will be held at St. Kateri Tekawitha Indigenous Catholic Parish located at 265 Flora Avenue. Burial will follow at the Assumption Cemetery, 3990 Portage Avenue.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 21, 2026