Obituary for Barbara Eleanor Laliberte
Barbara " Bobbi" Eleanor Laliberte (Gaddie) born June 7th, 1927, at Cowessess First Nation at her beloved Qu'Appelle Valley, passed away peacefully with family by her side at Hogarth Riverview Manor. The flags at Cowessess are flying at half mast, to honour her passing.
Predeceased by husband Albert, sons Brian and Robert (Bobo), parents Gilbert and Ida Gaddie (Baldhead), sisters Sarah, Mary and Flora; brothers, William, Walter, Henry, Samuel, David and best friend Selina Hoggarth (George). Barbara is survived by sons Marcel, (Jacquie), Marc, (Gloria) grandchildren Celine (Dave), Beau, Alexander and Sage. great grandchildren Dylan and Quincy, numerous nieces, nephews and members of the Gaddie, Holt, Langan, Silman, and Abdou families
Barbara attended the Round Lake residential school for 9 years, which had a deep impact on her life and her family's. Her wish for her family and people was for reconciliation, hope and healing.
Barbara was trilingual, speaking her mother's language, Saulteaux, and her father's language, Plains Cree in addition to English. She proudly proclaimed that she was a "Treaty Indian” , an important concept that she shared with all about Canada's obligations to Indigenous peoples. She shared many stories of the Indian agents, her time at boarding(residential) school, and the enfranchisement systems of the day such as the pass system to leave the reserve, marriage as a means of extinguishing status and the struggles for the right to higher education, to vote, to travel or retain a lawyer. She was keenly aware of her people’s struggles for opportunities, respect, justice and health. Barbara came to understand and lament the loss of her peoples’ traditional knowledge, culture and heritage were because of colonialism.
Mom's sense of duty and service was impressed upon her early, witnessing her parents' role at Cowessess "Indian Reserve" as traditional healers and trusted advisors to the community. She became literate in Western teachings in the residential school system. Upon completion of grade 9 she wished to pursue higher learning but was denied further education. She entered the workforce as a waitress, bush camp and hospital domestic worker.
At 19, when her mother passed away, Barbara left the reserve for Ontario to work and reunited with her beloved sister Flora in Northwestern Ontario. She met Albert while they worked at a bush camp. They fell in love, married at the Winter Chapel at St. Andrew's, and started a family in Port Arthur. She devoted her life to her family
Mom was the steadfast matriarch, grandmother, great grandmother and auntie, outspoken, fiercely loyal and courageous, defender of her family and people, faithful, kind and wise.
A staunch supporter of our Canadian military, Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services. She made sure to let all know of her brothers' military service, William in the Great War, Henry, Walter and Sam in World War II. An animal lover, Barbara always enjoyed her time with Ziibi and Coco.
Special gratitude to the Deschamps family of Red Rock First Nation and Nipigon, for their care and compassion in the 1950s, during mom and dad's serious long-term illnesses; when our family had no one to turn to, you were there.
Thank you, Meegwetch, to the staff and volunteers at 2 South for your kindness and compassion.
Barbara had a deep abiding love for Jesus, her Saviour, receiving comfort from prayer, kindred fellowship and scriptures from the Word. Safe in God’s embrace.
Kiisahgin. We love you.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Caring Society, info@fncaringsociety.com. Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.
Predeceased by husband Albert, sons Brian and Robert (Bobo), parents Gilbert and Ida Gaddie (Baldhead), sisters Sarah, Mary and Flora; brothers, William, Walter, Henry, Samuel, David and best friend Selina Hoggarth (George). Barbara is survived by sons Marcel, (Jacquie), Marc, (Gloria) grandchildren Celine (Dave), Beau, Alexander and Sage. great grandchildren Dylan and Quincy, numerous nieces, nephews and members of the Gaddie, Holt, Langan, Silman, and Abdou families
Barbara attended the Round Lake residential school for 9 years, which had a deep impact on her life and her family's. Her wish for her family and people was for reconciliation, hope and healing.
Barbara was trilingual, speaking her mother's language, Saulteaux, and her father's language, Plains Cree in addition to English. She proudly proclaimed that she was a "Treaty Indian” , an important concept that she shared with all about Canada's obligations to Indigenous peoples. She shared many stories of the Indian agents, her time at boarding(residential) school, and the enfranchisement systems of the day such as the pass system to leave the reserve, marriage as a means of extinguishing status and the struggles for the right to higher education, to vote, to travel or retain a lawyer. She was keenly aware of her people’s struggles for opportunities, respect, justice and health. Barbara came to understand and lament the loss of her peoples’ traditional knowledge, culture and heritage were because of colonialism.
Mom's sense of duty and service was impressed upon her early, witnessing her parents' role at Cowessess "Indian Reserve" as traditional healers and trusted advisors to the community. She became literate in Western teachings in the residential school system. Upon completion of grade 9 she wished to pursue higher learning but was denied further education. She entered the workforce as a waitress, bush camp and hospital domestic worker.
At 19, when her mother passed away, Barbara left the reserve for Ontario to work and reunited with her beloved sister Flora in Northwestern Ontario. She met Albert while they worked at a bush camp. They fell in love, married at the Winter Chapel at St. Andrew's, and started a family in Port Arthur. She devoted her life to her family
Mom was the steadfast matriarch, grandmother, great grandmother and auntie, outspoken, fiercely loyal and courageous, defender of her family and people, faithful, kind and wise.
A staunch supporter of our Canadian military, Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services. She made sure to let all know of her brothers' military service, William in the Great War, Henry, Walter and Sam in World War II. An animal lover, Barbara always enjoyed her time with Ziibi and Coco.
Special gratitude to the Deschamps family of Red Rock First Nation and Nipigon, for their care and compassion in the 1950s, during mom and dad's serious long-term illnesses; when our family had no one to turn to, you were there.
Thank you, Meegwetch, to the staff and volunteers at 2 South for your kindness and compassion.
Barbara had a deep abiding love for Jesus, her Saviour, receiving comfort from prayer, kindred fellowship and scriptures from the Word. Safe in God’s embrace.
Kiisahgin. We love you.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Caring Society, info@fncaringsociety.com. Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.