One of BATC founding members passes away

His wife Lillian said he “always put family first,” adding she is proud of all his accomplishments.

In the eulogy from Pooyak’s funeral on Dec. 21, the family said he always had a great sense of humour and “loved to laugh.”

He was also known as a role model and a teacher of the Cree culture and traditions. Pooyak would sit around a fire outside his home and take the time to share stories about the old days and provide teachings to the younger generation.

He was described as being blessed to be able to sing the Round Dance songs with his brothers, which were passed down to him from his late father, Eli.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) also extended its condolences on the passing of the long-time community leader, saying Senator Pooyak has a long history of collaboration, and was a strong advocate for Treaties and Treaty Rights.

BATC Executive Director Neil Sasakamoose said he was saddened by the loss of Pooyak.

“Don was with Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs since the doors opened in October of 2007,” said Sasakamoose in an email to battlefordsNow. “He was a Treaty and Program Services Manager for the organization until he fell ill a few years ago. He was also a Board Director of BATC Community Development Corporation until his passing.”

According to BATC, in 2009 Pooyak was appointed to represent BATC as a Senator for the Federation of Indigenous Sovereign Nations (FSIN). Prior to his days with BATC, he worked in management positions for various government and non-governmental departments, including health and social development, economic and community development, child and family services, band administration/management, policy development and consulting services.

Architect of BATC

Sasakamoose knew Pooyak very well from their years working together and had great respect for Pooyak for pursuing his vision.

He said Senator Pooyak was instrumental in establishing what is now called the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs, the new tribal council that started in 2007.

“He was one of the engineers that started the tribal council,” said Sasakamoose. The organization started with five member First Nations, then eventually grew to a membership of seven First Nations communities.

“Don was instrumental in setting up the entire vision and mission statement, the organizational structure, the scope of services and the mandate on the tribal council, and the new relationship he wanted to have with the First Nations that belonged there,” added Sasakamoose.

He lauded Pooyak as the architect in designing “a new accountability and transparency framework” for the First Nations when they moved into a new tribal council. He had many titles in the BATC over the years, from director to elder, to senator for the tribal council.

Sasakamoose said Chief Laurence Paskemin used one word – “Integrity” – to describe Pooyak’s contribution to the First Nations in the area, and to BATC itself.

“Senator Don was (focused) on being fully transparent and fully accountable … to First Nations people,” said Sasakamoose.

“He didn’t believe in First Nations having a conflict of interest with one another, or with their own organizations,” added Sasakamoose. “He believed everything should be reported to the people.”

Sasakamoose pointed out that Pooyak was a great teacher, adding that he “understood the role of an Elder” and carried forward old oral histories that were passed on through the generations in the Battlefords region.

“He was like a library for First Nations resources, and non-First Nation resources,” added Sasakamoose. “We’re going to really miss him.”

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

One of BATC founding members passes away

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