Delbert Horton

Chi Anikwat (Atik N’Dodem) "Big Cloud" (Caribou Clan) 3rd degree Midewewin Honourary Ph.D. (2015) World Indigenous Nations University Masters of Indigenous Knowledge and Philosophy (2015) – Aanda Wenjigewin Programme – Seven Generations Education Institute The Horton Family is sad to say good bye to Delbert who is beloved by his family and his friends. Delbert passed on peacefully on Sunday December 23, 2018 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. Delbert will travel on with a wake held at the Manitou Rapids gymnasium on Wednesday December 26, and a traditional Midewewin ceremony conducted by Elder Charlie Nelson on Thursday December 27, 2018. The Pallbearers will be Rob Horton, Stan Horton, Brent Tookenay, Brian Ostaff, Michael Anderson, Frank Lucachick, Doug Horton Jr. and Jamie Leonard. The honourary pallbearers will be Rocky Cook, Rory Joseph, Gary Medicine, Albert Hunter, Craig Jourdain and Jim Leonard. Delbert was born on July 8, 1947 to James and Imelda Horton. His childhood on Manitou Rapids was filled with love, fun and a little mischief. Delbert is predeceased by his parents James and Imelda, sister Mary Jane, brother Michael and nephew Trevor Joel. He is survived by the love of his life, Laura, daughter Tracy, sons Lionel, and Jeremy, brother Doug Horton Sr., sisters Dona Fiddler, Anna Horton, Audrey Horton (Craig) and adopted sister Elaine Ross, granddaughters Kirsten, Payton and Lauryn Horton as well as numerous family members Delbert attended both the St. Margarite and Assiniboia Residential schools. After Delbert graduated from High School he explored several different career paths from working as a Surveyor for CN Railway checking the rail lines to training to be a Museum Curator. Delbert found his passion when he began the Rainy Lake Ojibway Education Authority in 1985. Delbert’s vision was to promote further education for Anishinaabe and to bring education into the communities. Rainy Lake Ojibway Education Authority transformed into the Seven Generations Education Institute. Delbert’s dream continues on, Seven Generations Education Institute is thriving with campuses throughout Treaty Three Territory. His contributions to the advancement of education for Anishinaabe and Indigenous people have been felt around the world. Since his protest in grade 11 English class, he advocated for Indigenous education in the Indigenous way. He was a founding member of ONECA, AIC, NAIIHL, WINHEC and most recently IIAESC. His contributions will be felt for generations to come. Delbert was a proud Anishinaabe man who loved his First Nation and endeavoured to enrich his community by being politically active, serving as Chief for a term and as a Councillor for 25 years. He was also one of the original Financial Trustee’s for the Rainy River First Nations Trust. Delbert’s friends and family will remember his enthusiasm for golf, he had the opportunity to golf around the world as part of his many travels. He enjoyed travelling both for work and for leisure, especially with his family. Delbert took great pleasure in attending pow wows and visiting the many friends and family that he would meet on the pow wow trail. Another favourite past time of Delbert’s was taking his boat out on the lake, especially Lake of the Woods where he would visit the waters and islands that his parents travelled. Some treasured memories of his children and nieces and nephews are of when he would take them camping out on the lake. Delbert continued to enjoy camping however in later years he got into glamping by upgrading his tent for camper trailers. Delbert was a kind and generous man who leaves many people with memories of love and happiness. His love for his family was a large part of his life and he treasured them as well as his many friends. Delbert was a humble man who will be in the hearts of his family, friends and colleagues, near, across the country and around the globe forever.