'A big voice': Friends, family mourn death of Elder Ted Fontaine

Ted Fontaine, apillar of Manitoba's First Nations community and an author who detailed abuses he suffered at a government-run residential school, has died at 79.

When Fontaine, originally from the community ofSagkeeng, wasseven years old, his parents were forced to leave him at aresidential school by order of the Roman Catholic Church and the federal government.

Twelve years later, he left the school, still emotionally frozen atage of seven, according to his memoirBroken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools.It wasn't until age29 that he emerged from that darkness, he wrote, and began helping others to heal.

"Ted was a big voice for the real long-standing legacy of Indian residential schools," said Fontaine's cousin, DonavanFontaine.

"He was a big voice for the community not just Sagkeeng. He meant a lot for survivors. He was giving them a voice and that's not always an easy thing to do when you have that kind of baggageand trauma."

When Ted Fontaine leftthe Fort Alexander and Assiniboia Indian Residential Schools in1960, he was angry and conflicted after his experience,and was on a path of self-destruction, according to his memoir.

At 32, he graduated from the civil engineering program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and began a journey of self-exploration and healing.

Fontaine, who died on May 10, according to the University of Manitoba, dedicated the rest of his life to sharing his experiences at the schoolnot just to heal himself, he wrote, but also his people and those who suffered like him.

Despite the hurt and resentment and injustices that he endured, Fontainenever lashed out, his cousin Donavan said.

"To share that as he did, in a real humble way, not a vindictive way, I think that's his legacy. He didn't send any daggers to anybody, there was no fingers pointed.

"That's just the kind of guy he was."

Fontainebecame a highly respected chief ofSagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation, and was also anelderand a traditional knowledge keeper forhis home community, doing his best to help people embracetheir First Nationsheritage, those who knew him say.

In that way, he countered the shame that older generations felt due to the mistreatment by successive Canadian governments and the residential school system.

"He was just a kind and gentle person, always willing to help," said close friend Rosa Walker, who knew Fontaine since the 1980s and spoke with him nearly every day.

"He loved speaking his language and sharing it with people. And he was so proud of his family and to be an Indigenous man. I'll always remember that."

Walker, whoalsoworked with Fontaineat the Assembly of First Nationsduring thetime of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, echoed the character description painted byDonavan.

She believes that is why he was so loved and able to help so many people because he was pure and honest.

"He didn't harbour any ill will. He gave backinstead," she said.

Walker listed off some ofFontaine's accomplishments, including as a participant at the Meech Lake Accord, as co-founder of theIndigenous Leadership Development Institute, as a director at Peace Hills Trust, as a volunteer with theVictorian Order of Nurses, and as an end-of-life companion with Palliative Manitoba.

"He was just everything. How does one man, who has to come through such a difficult upbringing, go through and give back so much?" she said.

"It's pretty amazing."