John Tootoosis
John Tootoosis | |
---|---|
Born | July 18, 1899 Poundmaker Cree Nation |
Died | February 1, 1989 (aged 89) |
Awards |
John Baptiste Tootoosis (July 18, 1899
Early life and family
Tootoosis was born on the Poundmaker Reserve in Saskatchewan to Mary Theresa and John Tootoosis. He grew up in a close-knit family, but at the age of 13 was sent away to attend the Thunderchild Residential School, also known as the Delmas Residential School,[1] a Roman Catholic residential school located near North Battleford, Saskatchewan.[2] He returned to the reserve at the age of 17 where his father began to get him involved in the community's political life.[1]
He married Louisa Angus from Thunderchild in 1929. She died in 1987.[3] They had ten sons and three daughters and many of their children and grandchildren were involved in cultural and artistic practice.[3] His son Gordon Tootoosis was a well-known actor. His son Wilfred Tootoosis was a performer and storyteller. His daughter Jean Cuthand Goodwill was the first indigenous woman to graduate from a nursing program in Saskatchewan and wrote a biography on Tootoosis. His grandson Tyrone Tootoosis was an activist, story keeper and actor and was awarded the Canadian Diamond Jubilee medal.[4]
Career
Tootoosis was appointed chief of his band by his community in 1920. His leadership was not recognized by the Canadian government's then
Tootoosis died on February 2, 1989.
References
- ^ a b c d Toth, Cory. "The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan | Details". esask.uregina.ca. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ "Thunderchild Residential School". The Eugenics Archives. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ a b "John B. Tootoosis". www.sicc.sk.ca. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- ^ "Cree cultural icon dies at his home near Duck Lake, Sask". CBC News. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
- ^ "Native Leaders of Canada - John Tootoosis". www.newfederation.org. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^ Governor General of Canada. "John B. Tootoosis, C.M." Order of Canada Recipients. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
Further reading
- Sluman, Norma and Goodwill, Jean Cuthand. John Tootoosis: Biography of a Cree Leader. Ottawa: Golden Dog Press, 1982.
- Tootoosis, T. 1998. "The Value of Oral History in First Nations Education, Part II: John B. Tootoosis 1899–1989," Eagle Feather News (November): 5.