Tribute to "Big Bill"

Page 21

It is customary for Native people to hold a memorial in honor of a deceased loved one about one year after the death.

Ruth McNab's memorial for her beloved husband Bill, who passed away May 24, 1988, is by way of publication.

Being away from the reserve that had been their home, McNab believes that by publicizing a memorial of her late husband, she will reach more of his friends.

Bill McNab hailed from Gordon's reserve in Saskatchewan, where the couple lived since their marriage in 1961.

After his sudden death, Ruth returned to live on her home reserve of Duffield. She is the daughter of well-known elder Albert Lightning of the Hobemma reserve.

Within his wide circle of friends and family, Bill McNab is remembered as a powwow dancer.

In 1982, he was the president of the powwow committee hosted by the Touchwood File Hills District Chiefs.

This was the largest powwow held in Canada. It was the World Assembly of First Nations international celebrations, held at Kinookimaw Beach, Sask., 30 miles north of Regina.

The powwow featured Indigenous dancers and singers from Sweden, South America, Mexico, New Zealand, Tahiti, Australia. More than 300 international dancers took part in the

gala.

McNab worked on the Gordon's reserve as Community Health Resource person (CHR) for 23 years. He was also the CHR advisor for the Medical Service branch in Saskatchewan.

McNab retired in 1987 due to health reasons. He had been a diabetic for 15 years.

As an advisor, McNab would address classes of community health resource graduate. He always gave a supportive but forceful speech on the importance of the CHR program.

He was a member of the hospital board in Lestock and served on the hospital board in Lebret.

"Big Bill" as he was known, was cherished for his love of animals and of people. There was no color barrier to love in his eyes.

McNab was a very soft spoken man. Yet he could drown out the choir in the church when he sang. His wife says he had a great love of singing.

He had travelled with Ed Thunderchild and sons to sing at many powwows. Thunderchild was adopted as a father by McNab, whose parents died when he was a youngster.

He was raised by his grandparents and helped to raise his two sisters and a brother.

During this time, he was taught to do the delicate work of a women such as cooking, sewing and beading. He maintained these skills throughout his life.

He later used these skills in making powwow dance costumes.

It was his wish to have a traditional burial song with drums at his funeral.

His wife arranged for Thunderchild and sons to carry out his wish.

During the last seven years of his life, the couple dedicated their life to God.

They were not blessed with children. But they filled their lives by helping young people who had no home or just needed someone to talk to McNab became a father figure to many

troubled youth.

Ruth McNab expresses her gratitude to the people, the Medical Service Branch, and her Christian family for their thoughtfulness and caring during her time of loss.