It is with heavy heart that the Office of the Treaty Commissioner acknowledges the passing of respected leader, elder and knowledge keeper Noel Starblanket. We send our condolences to his children, his grandchildren, his spouse, his siblings and his nation of Starblanket.

“It is hard to say goodbye to a mentor, a kind man and a brave survivor. This is an incredible loss, but we will be left with memories of Noel,” said Treaty Commissioner, Mary Culbertson.

Noel rooted his life in culture and tradition, he believed in Reconciliation and spoke about its importance, and he shared his knowledge through leadership and as an educator.

Through his work as a speaker in the OTC’s speakers’ bureau, and as an elder for the Teaching Treaties in the Classroom, Noel reached hundreds of educators in the oral history of treaties.

A wake service will be held beginning at 12 pm to 2 pm at First Nations University in Regina and will then commence at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Wa-Pii Moos-toosis, White Calf Gym and the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday.

“If you want Treaty education to succeed, your message cannot be about bitterness, anger or resentment, your message has to be about hope and moving forward together,”

Elder Noel Starblanket

His message is used across Canada in Nova Scotia, his impact and influence has been far reaching and will not be forgotten.