Saskatchewan has lost a longtime First Nations elder.
Elder Mike Pinay passed away early Tuesday morning from health complications. He was 69 years old.
Pinay was born on March 30, 1947 on the Peepeekisis First Nation. He attended Lebret Indian Residential School for a decade during his younger years.
Known by many in powwow and ceremonial circles, Pinay would never shy away from sharing his cultural teachings with others, and he would also grab a mic to MC a round dance or a powwow. During any event he would speak at, he would always share his traditional knowledge.
During the week, Pinay would almost always be at a local Tim Hortons with his usual large double-double. He would jokingly tell others to, “meet me at my office” at Tim Hortons.
Pinay also never held back in speaking out for First Nations people. He would always call on the federal and provincial governments to do better on a number of First Nations issues, from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to fulfilling First Nations treaty rights.
“Billions and billions of dollars are made on this land that we agreed to share and yet we are the poorest,” Pinay once said in an interview with CTV News.
Pinay also spoke out against former Prime Minister, Stephen Harper when he apologized for the legacy of residential schools in Canada, and when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report.
“When you talk about reconciliation, it has to work both ways; the government, plus our people,” Pinay said. “It’s not happening that way so far.”
Pinay also recently spoke out against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s $8.4 billion budget for First Nations people, saying it’s just a “Band-Aid solution.”
A funeral for Pinay will be held in Lebret on Friday at 11 a.m.
