Respected elder Noel Starblanket passes away

Noel Starblanket, a residential school survivor who became a leader in Saskatchewan’s Indigenous community, died Monday morning in a Regina hospital.

He was 72.

Starblanket became chief of the Star Blanket Cree Nation at the age of 24, served as chairman of the Treaty 4 Chiefs and was a vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indian Nations. He also was a two-time national chief of the National Indian Brotherhood, the forerunner of the Assembly of First Nations.

In his later years, Starblanket worked at the University of Regina’s Aboriginal Students Centre before becoming the university’s Elder-in-Residence.

He also was a driving force behind the creation of the Lebret Eagles, an SJHL team that was owned by the Star Blanket Cree Nation. The Eagles started play in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in 1993 and remained in the league for eight seasons.

“Noel Starblanket was an outstanding, respectful person, who was well-known and respected throughout the country. He was a tremendously strong Treaty advocate, a believer in his people and gifted in our ancestral ways” Star Blanket First Nation Chief Michael Starr said in a media release.

“He motivated our youth to believe in themselves, to get a sound education and to pursue sport, culture, language and fine arts. Our nation is mourning the loss of a great leader and we will miss him deeply.”

“We want to acknowledge his many decades of tireless work on our Inherent and Treaty Rights. He had a long list of accomplishments at the First Nation, Tribal Council, FSIN and National level, with the National Indian Brotherhood and Assembly of First Nations” added FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron.

“The way he conducted himself in ceremony was rooted in culture and tradition; this is something one would have to see to experience. We will remember him for in the way he would sing our songs and the way he could always make people laugh through stories. For all of us, he was a compassionate and respectful friend. He will be greatly missed.”

We join our community in mourning the passing of Elder Noel Starblanket. He was a passionate advocate and wise leader, always generous with his time and his teachings. Our condolences to the family of Elder Starblanket; our prayers for his safe journey to the Spirit World. pic.twitter.com/lpkZkfD3VZ

— Regina Police (@reginapolice) April 15, 2019