Remembering Christmas

By Eddie Kolausok

Herb Strongeagle is a Saulteaux of Pasqua First Nation of Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. Herb grew up on his family’s acreage on First Nation lands where he was taught to ride horses by his grandfather. Herb also took boxing lessons from his father Moses. Herb completed his elementary and high school education at Lebret Indian Residential School. While in school, he was actively involved in many sports and became a star track and field athlete. In 1953 Herb graduated from high school and also won the Tom Longboat medal as the best Indian athlete in Saskatchewan.

Elder Herb Strongeagle

After graduating from high school, Herb continued his education and earned a Diploma from Saskatoon Business College. He took a job with the Coop Oil Refineries. Herb continued to engage in sports. In 1957 he played for the Fort Qu’Appelle Sioux Indians winning the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association provincial title. Herb also won an individual scoring championship trophy. Herb understood the importance of education and went on to earn a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Ottawa. This provided him with the skills to work in positions in finance and management with the Federation of Saskatchewan First Nations and the First Nations University of Canada. With natural talent and a love for sports, Herb balanced his life between successful business initiatives and sports activities. He was inducted into the Indian Head Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Saskatchewan First Nations Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Herb is now retired but continues to serve on important First Nations boards such as Many Nations Benefit Co-operative Limited and Aboriginal Financial Services Inc. Herb was honoured to receive the Saskatchewan First Nations Lifetime Achievement Award on November 9, 2006. Herb is an outstanding Aboriginal Elder with experience, wisdom and a caring heart. Native Journal spent an afternoon with Herb at his home in Cowichan Bay, BC to ask him what Christmas was like in Pasqua First Nation when he was a youth.

NJ: What was Christmas like for you in Pasqua First Nation in the 1940s?

Herb: “When I was young we attended the Lebret Indian Residential School. We spent Christmas at my moshum’s (grandfather) and kocum’s (grandmother)’s place on Pasqua First Nation. Me and my sister Shirley drove by horse team and sled to attend midnight mass at the Catholic Church situated on Pasqua First Nation. Our dad was working in Ontario as our mom had passed away.

After mass, we returned to our moshum and cocum’s place where we had sandwiches and drinks. Then, moshum, who was a medicine man, would say prayers in Cree to the Creator and then sing songs in Cree. It was a beautiful event which I have never forgotten. During this time in the 1940’s, Indians were not allowed to consume alcohol, and Christmas was great.”

NJ: What did you do after Christmas?

Herb: “During the time between Christmas and New Years, my sister and I would travel to Muscowpetung First Nation where our mom’s parents lived. We travelled by horse team and sled. Muscowpetung was situated next to Pasqua. We visited our moshum and kocum. Our moshum would pray and sing songs in Ojibway. On New Years day we would travel to Piapot which is situated next to Muscowpetung. At Piapot we visited and enjoyed meals at different homes. In the evening, there would be a Pow-Wow to celebrate the coming of the New Year.”

The Christmas season is a time when family, friends and communities come together to celebrate in their own unique ways. Herb’s ancestors gathered together to celebrate and give thanks. All were invited to participate in community events as well as sweats, prayers and dances. “These were times of enjoyment and happiness for me and my sister which we will never forget,” states Herb with a smile, and continues, “I wish everyone at home and across Canada a happy Christmas and a blessed New Year.”

Native Journal wishes Herb much happiness, soul-wealth and good health into the future, megweetch.

back to top