Harold Lerat

Harold was born August 9 1930 to Solomon and Mariah Lerat. He is going to meet and join his family and friends who left before him.

He was predeceased by his parents as well as his siblings – George (Rosalie), Florence (Leo), Clifford (Harriet), Mary (Isidore), Frank (Antoinette), Elsie (Bill) and Gordon. Children – Frankie, Danny and Lynn. Grandchildren – Jimmy and Tyler; Great-grandchildren Kaci at birth and Justice.

Harold is survived by his children and their mother Rosaline Lerat – Lloyd (Lillian), Irene (Ray), Terry (Darlene), Doreen, Maureen, Faron (Agnesrose), Wes, Kay (Harvey), Linda and Michelle (Johnny); 22 grandchildren – Christopher (Roberta), Avery, Candide (Dave), Dodie (Dallas), Deanna (Jason), Ry (Robin), Cecelia (Shawn), Faron, Dale, Joe (Sami-Jo), Cynthia, Kihisis, Jojo, Nicole, Dustin, Ivan (Leanda), Dayna (Leon), Darren (Allie), Maskwa, Jody, Curtis, and Crystal; 56 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren; plus the family took many extended family members under their wing.

The Family is forever grateful to the Broadview Centennial Lodge staff for giving him a great home and fantastic meals.

Harold lived a good life. He loved all his kids and grandkids. Each was special to him. He showed his love to each in his own way.

He was a great sportsman and kept the Kids on the four Reserves busy playing hockey for many years. He entered the first, all-native, hockey team to the Qu’Appelle Valley Hockey League. Those were his glory days and we spent our time at the rink, those were our glory days.

Harold wrote a book, Treaty Promises, Indian Reality, Life On A Reserve, a great feat for someone with a grade 8 education. His book is part of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s “Teaching Treaties in the Classroom” package and is on many, University Native Studies’ reading lists across Canada. He was instrumental in negotiating CFN’s Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement. Harold served on the Board of Directors for QVIDA and the original Last Oak Park Corporation.

Throughout his life, he was a farmhand, worked on a threshing crew, cat operator, road-builder, farmer, rancher, horseman, band councilor for 17 years, author, mentor, coach and bus driver.

When he was young, he always wanted to be a jockey but out grew the 115-pound weight limit, so he did the next best thing and trained thoroughbreds for the racetrack. His horses won many races and awards.

He inspired us all to get an education and taught us a good work ethic. Harold is leaving a great legacy that we are all so proud of.

The wake was held in Cowessess Hall, Cowessess First Nation on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. The traditional funeral ceremony was held in the Cowessess Hall on Monday, July 11, 2022 with the pipe ceremony at 7:00 a.m. and final viewing until 9:30 a.m. The funeral mass was celebrated in the St. Mary R.C. Church, Grayson, Saskatchewan on Monday, July 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. by Rev. John Mock, V.F. A private interment was held. Coffee/tea were served after the funeral mass with the lunch at 3:00 p.m. in the Cowessess Hall.