James "Jim" Franklin Bear

We are heartbroken to announce James (Jim) Franklin Bear’s sudden passing on August 27th, 2025 at 8:20pm surrounded by family at Health Science Centre in Winnipeg. Jim was a strong leader, well respected individual to the Indigenous Community. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.

He is survived by his wife Merle Lewis, his children, Angela Boldt, Jeffrey Bear, Jamie Bear, Kelvin Harper, his stepkids Natalie Parisian, Tarina Parisian (Trenton Mallon), Dean Parisian (Jenn Sims), Heather Armstrong, His grandchildren Melissa (Missy) Bear (Colby McKinney), Carolanne Bear, Odin, Brandon Bear, Taron Heese, Ashley Heese and Abby Parisian, his Great-Grandchildren Mikayla, Lyric, Zuly and Gabriel James, and sister Jean Watkins.

Jim was the co-founder of Southeast Tribal Council; Co-founder of 1st Indigenous Jr A Hockey Club, the chair for Freshwater Fish for quite some time. He was Chief of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation on and off for a very long time throughout his 79 years of life. He was a big advocate for Indigenous communities around Canada. Jim assisted the first formation of the Historic First Nation School Division. Jim was also a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal: The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal, and many more accomplishments that the family and friends are so proud of.

Jim leaves behind not just family but a legacy. Jim is the kind of person that would help anyone who needed without thinking twice. He always lit up the room with his contiguous smile, laugh and jokes. He would always tell at least one joke when talking to people because he always wanted people to be happy. One of his favorite things to say was “forgive but never forget and learn from your past mistakes to make a better future”.

There will be a Celebration of Jim’s life with all family and friends in Brokenhead Ojibway Nation on Saturday, September 6th, 2025, at 3:30 pm. A private service for his final resting place where he joins his predeceased wife Ardell R Bear on September 19th with his family and close friends.