Lawrence Joseph, the esteemed “permanent leader” of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, passed away on Sunday. He was honored by those close to him on Thursday as an unassuming individual who strongly advocated for both his family and community.
Family and friends honored his legacy and achievements at his funeral.
funeral service
At St. Alban’s Anglican Cathedral located in Prince Albert.
One of Kevin Joseph’s sons stated that although his father’s significant role as an Indigenous leader was notable, his true legacy revolved around his family and the compassion and affection he showed towards everyone.
He mentioned, ‘My father received a prognosis of three to five years due to the illness he has been dealing with since eight years back.’
Up until his final 24 hours, he treated my mother to a date. He took her to the casino and told her, “I won’t be using my oxygen, and we’ll spend my money instead.”
Joseph, hailing from the Big River First Nation and born on May 19, 1945, shared over 57 years with his spouse Priscilla. Together they nurtured their family of five offspring: Kevin, Richard, Warren, Sheryl, and Trina.
Kevin Joseph mentioned that his father took great pride in his service with the 44th Royal Canadian Army Militia and as a civilian instructor for National Defence. Additionally, he was honored with the Queen’s Commission in the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserves, starting off as a pilot officer before swiftly advancing to the rank of flying officer.
The touching 21-gun salute performed by the veterans during the funeral ceremony was particularly meaningful as my father instilled this value in me since childhood: ‘Whenever you encounter a veteran, make sure to pause whatever you’re doing and take the time to shake their hand,’ he remembered.
When I witnessed those veterans — the ones who use wheelchairs — exerting what little energy they had left to rise and honor my father with a salute, it moved me deeply because my father held such immense respect for them.
“He felt immense pride wearing that uniform, and that’s precisely what we laid him to rest in,” his son said.
Joseph mentioned that his dad didn’t have a father himself but grew up to be the best dad possible.” He added, “His claim is that many people say this about their dads, yet his truly stood out as an exemplary role model not only for his own kids but also for others.
He mentioned, ‘We showcased my father to the world, to the nation, and to the surrounding communities,’ adding, ‘In recent days, we witnessed this as thousands of individuals attended in person and contacted us.’
‘A great honour’
He highlighted that for the Cree community, “the idea of prosperity doesn’t revolve around money. It’s more about having an abundance of well-being and strong familial connections. My father was embraced by numerous individuals who considered him a dad, which is a tremendous honor.”
Kevin mentioned that his dad advised him that if you truly care about something, you should support it and help it grow.
“That’s what my dad did,” he said. “He loved those veterans, he loved the indigenous people. He loved all people.”
Joseph mentioned that his father devoted himself entirely to the community upon becoming the FSIN chief. His motivation wasn’t fame or accolades; instead, he served humbly and scarcely caught more than a few hours of sleep each night during those 15 years in office.
Joseph recounted to Kevin, “He stated that if our people are going hungry, if they’re battling addiction, his job isn’t finished, so he can’t truly rest,” adding, “That’s what my father believed.”
In 2022, Joseph received the distinguished title of “Lifetime Chief” from the FSIN.
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron stated that although Joseph is acknowledged for his dedication to Indigenous rights and his family’s love, he was “a remarkable individual” with numerous roles.
He was devoted to his faith as part of the clergy, he played music, he served in the military, he provided healing services, he offered advice, he worked as a guidance counselor, and he studied physics,” he stated. “His achievements and roles throughout his lifetime were countless.
He possessed a distinctive talent for communication and an exceptional ability to assist people in healing and enhancing their family life,” he stated. “This made him an outstanding leader.
Cameron mentioned that he talked on the phone with Joseph nearly every day, seeking his advice just like numerous others did.
He referred to Joseph as a living encyclopedia of knowledge and wisdom. “It’s a considerable loss,” he stated. “I will truly miss this individual. His legacy and his reputation will endure indefinitely.”
Chief Tammy Cook-Searson from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, who served as an honorary pallbearer and was invited to address the gathering, highlighted that Joseph had always been unafraid to advocate for Indigenous peoples. She referred to him as “a remarkable role model.”
She mentioned, ‘He put up a great fight. He ventured into difficult areas yet remained steadfast.’