Albert Bellegarde
Albert was born on September 7, 1937, the third child of twelve born to Edmund and Lena Bellegarde.
He grew up on Little Black Bear Reserve and received his formal education at eh Fort Qu’Appelle Residential School. He completed his grade XII in 1956, and then spent a year in study at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. The following year, Albert earned a teaching certificate from the Moose Jaw Teacher’s College. He dedicated three years to teaching holding positions in Carry the Kettle, Cumberland House and Red Pheasant. It was during these teaching years that he first experienced frustration with the direction in which Indian Education was going.
Albert spent the following five years doing manual labour in British Columbia, the United States and Alberta. During this time, he married Verna Crane of the Pasqua Band.
Upon returning home in 1969, he concentrated his time and effort working in positions which broadened his awareness of the situation that Indian People were in. Alberta coordinated a Native Training Program for the province; was Training Officer for the Adult Education Program (Department of Indian and Métis Affairs) and in 1972 was elected the District Representative for the Touchwood File Hills- Qu’Appelle District with the responsibility for Education and Economic Development. In 1974, when an Associate Regional Director for the Department of Indian Affairs was required, Albert Bellegarde was appointed to the position. Development of local government guidelines in 1975 prevented him from continuing his position, and it was then that he was chosen to be the Director of the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College. Albert was involved in the establishment of the Saskatchewan Indian Community College, when in 1975 he was elected Third Vice President of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians. He first held the portfolio for Education, and later he carried in the portfolio for Treaty Rights and Research, working particularly in the areas of land entitlement and land claims.
As a result of the leadership ability that he demonstrated, his sincere dedication, and the confidence and trust that he inspired, Albert was elected Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians in October, 1978.
A man with vision, compassion and strength, Albert believed in the intrinsic worth of the Indian people. Having abiding respect for the Elders, he always sought their counsel, and was ever sensitive to the voice of the Saskatchewan Indian membership.
Albert Bellegarde passed away on March 19, 1979. He was predeceased by his eldest son, James Edmund. His daughter Michelle, sons Edmund James and Albert Lawrence, walk proudly in the light of their father’s memory.