Albert Jr. Wasacase

Albert Jr Bradley (Buddy) Wasacase (Oksyasis) died peacefully with his wife of 52 years by his side in the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, Yorkton, SK on Friday, December 9, 2022 at the age of 80 years.

Buddy was known for his love of traditional powwow songs, the Edmonton Oilers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was a beloved friend to many, always had a smile and joke to share with anyone who met him. People around him would appreciate his humour and his super personality, he had a way of making you feel comfortable and happy around him. He loved his time at Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (now FNUniv) and was called “Coach” by many members of the SIFC Chief’s Hockey Club.

Albert was a very intelligent man. He was known for his aptitude for math and reading. He earned his credentials as a civil engineer from the Red River College in Winnipeg, MB and later a degree in Sociology from SIFC. In turn, he would often take on tutoring roles everywhere he went. Albert held many positions as a civil engineer, surveying in northern Alberta and Manitoba, where it led him to his love of his life, Norah. Together, they built a life, first in Manitoba, then moving to Alberta and finally settling in Saskatchewan, in his traditional territory of Treaty 4.

Albert was predeceased by his son, Bradley Lyle Wasacase; parents Albert Sr. Wasacase and Florence Wasacase (nee Ochapowace); sisters: Ida, Laura and Judith Wasacase; adopted sister Patricia Ann Kent (Ochapowace); in-laws Walter and Victoria nee (Moore) Mink; his extended family - brothers: Ruben Wasacase, George Wasacase, Steven Wasacase and Boyee Isaac; older sister Florence Isaac; his beloved uncles: George Ponicappo, Daniel Ochapowace and Martin Isaac; sisters-in-law: Margie Wasacase (nee Cressman), Priscilla Mink and Susan Walker as well as his brother-in-law Alfred Mink.

Albert is survived by his wife Norah Wasacase and daughters Jocelyne (Bob) Wasacase-Merasty and Judith Ann Wasacase. He also leaves behind his brother Colin Wasacase; sister-in-law Evelyn Isaac; brothers Harold (Cecil) Isaac and Sam Isaac; grandsons: Corbin (Janine) Strongeagle, Chase, Rhys (Morgan) and Noah Merasty; his chapans River (7) and Tate (3) Strongeagle; his relatives in Easterville, Manitoba and in-laws: Stella Ledoux, Flora (Brian) Morden, Philip Sr. Mink and Cynthia Mink. Albert will be sadly missed by his nieces and nephews: Karen Wasacase, Shelia Wasacase, Allison (Dan) Wasacase, Holly Wasacase-Cooper, Leahanne Ochapowace, Sheila Ochapowace, Walter Ochapowace, Amy (Blair) Mink, Jesse Mink, Keenan (Valerie) Mink, Michelle Mink, Zerlina Mink, Elliot Mink and many more – too numerous to list. Feeling the lost of our loved one will also be felt by his extended family members and many more friends.

Albert’s spirit will be carried on in the lives of the people he touched. His sense of humour was infectious, and his laughter will live on with each sharing of his favourite jokes or stories. His family takes comfort in knowing that he is finally reunited with his son Bradley and his mother, who we lost both in 1980.

The wake and traditional funeral service was held in Kahkewistahaw First Nation Community Complex. The wake was held on Tuesday December 13, 2022, beginning at 7 p.m. and will carried on until 11 a.m. on Wednesday .

The wake and traditional funeral service were held in Kahkewistahaw Community Complex, Kahkewistahaw First Nation on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 beginning at 7:00 p.m. and will carried on until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 with a pipe ceremony and traditional feast to send off our love, our dad, moshum, chapan, and brother - whose spirit name was known to our ancestor as; oksyasis (young calf). A short funeral service and burial followed our traditional protocols.