Lori Wuttunee passed away at the age of 55 after a long battle with cancer. (submitted photo)

By Angela Brown

Lives remembered

Sweetgrass First Nation woman remembered as gifted singer, powwow dancer

Jan 8, 2021 | 11:08 AM

A Sweetgrass First Nation woman is being remembered as a gifted singer and powwow dancer, and for the joy she brought everyone she met.

After a six-year battle with cancer, Lori Violet Gladys Wuttunee passed away Jan. 5 at the age of 55.

A funeral service was held Jan. 6 at the Sweetgrass Community Hall, with Sheldon Wuttunee officiating.

Wuttunee’s daughter-in-law Kriss Atcheynum said her passing is a “tremendous loss” to the community.

Wuttunee has a long history as a talented musician. She performed as a country-rock singer across Canada for more than 40 years, after first taking up the craft at the age of 10. She came from a strong family of passionate musicians.

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Atcheynum said the award-winning artist performed with numerous bands over the years during her career, and was also heard on the radio.

Atcheynum described Wuttunee as a people person, who was full of energy.

“She had a very big personality, and an even bigger heart,” she said. “She lit up the room, and her smile was contagious.”

Wuttunee was also a world champion powwow dancer, and traveled throughout Canada and the United States to participate in competitions and share her culture.

“She was very well known everywhere she went,” Atcheynum said.

Wuttunee was originally from Red Pheasant Cree Nation, but Sweetgrass was always her home. That is where she was married and raised her sons.

Atcheynum said Wuttunee was always family oriented, adding that “family came first” for her.

Wuttunee had two sons, Audi and Josh, and three grandchildren – Audi and Kriss’ daughter Hartley, whom she affectionately called her Grand Queen, and Josh and Sheena’s daughters Theresa and May-May.

The family hope to have a celebration of life and memorial round-dance in honour of Wuttunee sometime in the future, whenever it is safe to gather again and the province’s COVID-19 restrictions start to lift.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW