FSIN 'Lifetime Chief' Lawrence Joseph remembered for his legacy at funeral service

Lawrence Joseph, the "lifetime chief" of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations who died on Sunday, was remembered by friends and family on Thursday as a humble man who stood tall for his family and his people.

Family and friends celebrated his life and accomplishments at his funeral service at St. Alban's Anglican Cathedral in Prince Albert.

Kevin Joseph, one of his sons, said while his father's life as an Indigenous leader was important, his real legacy was his family, and the kindness and love he had for all people. 

"My dad was given a three- to five-year life sentence from the condition he was battling eight years ago," he said. 

"Right up until his last 24 hours, he took my mom on a date. He took her out to the casino, [and] he said "I'm not going to wear my oxygen, and we're going to use my money."

Joseph, who was born in Big River First Nation on May 19, 1945, and his wife, Priscilla, were married for 57 years, and raised a family of five children: Kevin, Richard, Warren, Sheryl, Trina.

Kevin Joseph said his father was particularly proud of his service with the 44th Royal Canadian Army Militia and also as a civilian instructor with National Defence. He also received the Queen's Commission in the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserves where he initially received the rank of pilot officer that was quickly upgraded to flying officer. 

"The 21-gun salute by veterans [at the funeral service] was so beautiful because my dad raised us from the time I was a little kid: 'If you see a veteran, you stop what you're doing. You go shake his hand,'" he recalled. 

"So when I saw those veterans — those ones that are in wheelchairs using their little bit of strength that they have to stand and salute my dad — that brought tears to my eyes because my dad loved those veterans so much.

"He was so proud to wear that uniform and that's what we buried him in," his son said.

"My dad had no dad and became the greatest dad," Kevin Joseph said. "He said he knows everyone says that, but he really was a great father figure to his own children, and others.  

"We shared my dad with the world, with the nation, and with the communities around us," he said. "We saw that in full force from the hundreds and hundreds of people who showed up in person and reached out to us over the past few days." 

'A great honour'

He pointed out that among Cree people, "our concept of wealth isn't dollars and cents. Our concept of wealth is abundance of health and the abundance of family. My dad had so many people who adopted him as a dad. That's a great honour."

Kevin Joseph said his father told him that if you love something, give to it and nurture it. 

"That's what my dad did," he said. "He loved those veterans, he loved the indigenous people. He loved all people." 

He said his father dedicated himself to the people when he became FSIN chief, and he didn't do it for glory or awards: He was a humble servant, who barely slept for 15 years while in that position.

"He said if our people are starving, if our people are addicted, my work is not done, then I cannot rest properly," Kevin Joseph said. "And that was my dad."  

Joseph was honoured with the title of FSIN "lifetime chief" in 2022.

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said while Joseph is remembered for his advocacy of Indigenous rights and the love of his family, he "was a remarkable man" of many titles.

"He was a man of the church, he was a musician, he was a veteran, he was a healer, he was an adviser, he was a guidance counsellor, he was a physicist," he said. "The list goes on and on of what this man has accomplished, and what he was in life.  

"He had a unique gift to speak, and a unique gift in helping people heal, and helping families improve their lives," he said. "That was his gift as a leader."

Cameron said he spoke on the phone with Joseph almost daily, and he looked to him for guidance, as did many others. 

He called Joseph a walking library of knowledge and wisdom. "It's a significant loss," he said. "I'm going to miss this man.  His legacy and his name will live on forever." 

Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of Lac La Ronge Indian Band,  an honorary pallbearer who was asked to speak at the service, said Joseph was never afraid to speak up for Indigenous people, calling him "an amazing role model." 

"He fought hard," she said. "He went to uncomfortable places, but he stood there strong."