Carole Violet Sanderson (Kingfisher)

Carole passed away on Sunday, August 18th at the Victoria Union Hospital in Prince Albert after a long and courageous struggle. She is survived by her two daughters Dawn (Shane) Robins and Andrea Sanderson (JD Miller) and their father Solomon Sanderson; grandchildren Bianca, Devon, Dane, Tammy, Shane Jr and Kelsey; great-children Mackenzie, Xander and Layla. Also, her brother Roy (Annie) Kingfisher, sister Yvonne Seeseequasis; and numerous nieces, nephews and special friends. Carole was pre-deceased by her parents William and Hannah Kingfisher, brothers Harold and Harvey, brother-in-law George Seeseequasis, sisters-in-law Nellie Kingfisher and Florence Kingfisher; nephew Earl Kingfisher, and special friends Roy Bird and Marlene King. Carole was born December 6th, 1939 at the Sturgeon Lake First Nation and spent the early part of her life growing up on her family farm. In 1945 she was taken to the Prince Albert Residential School where she spent the next 13 years. Her early upbringing and these years in residential school shaped her commitment to First Nations education to which she dedicated her lifelong career. In 1960 she was one of the first Indian graduates with a post-secondary education and went on to teach in a number of First Nations communities. She was recognized by the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 1994 and made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1998. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre, the First Nations University of Canada and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. She will be forever remembered by First Nations throughout Canada for her dedication to First Nations education and was one of the original drafters of the policy on Indian Control of Indian Education which continues to be the foundational document for developments in First Nations education throughout Canada. She resided in Prince Albert at the home that she and Sol made for their family, extended family and friends. Her work took her to locations throughout Canada and contributed to the development of the Canadian Constitution, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and the establishment of the Office of Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan to name a few. Additionally she contributed to hundreds of studies, policies and legislation in regards to First Nations rights. Her family extends special appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Victoria Union Hospital who loved and cared for her throughout. A Wake Service will take place at her home, 520 – 22nd Street West, Prince Albert, SK on Tuesday, August 20th with prayer service at 7:00 pm. The wake will continue at Sturgeon Lake Community Hall on Wednesday, August 21st beginning at 5:00 pm with prayer service at 7:00 pm. Memorial Services will take place at the Community Hall on Sturgeon Lake First Nation at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 22nd. Private Family Interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of other tributes, donations can be made to the First Nations University of Canada toward the establishment of a scholarship in her name. Please contact Grace McLeod by email at gmcleod@fnuiv.ca or 306-790-5950 extension 7200 to arrange for a donation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray's Funeral Chapel, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director.