Skip to content

Sarah Harper’s 111th birthday celebrated in Bunibonibee Cree Nation

Indigenous leaders and provincial government representatives were among the dignitaries in attendance in Oxford House Aug.
sarah harper 111th birthday august 2017
Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Grand Chief Arlen Dumas and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson were among the attendees of Sarah Harpers’ 111th birthday in Bunibonibee Cree Nation at Oxford House.

Indigenous leaders and provincial government representatives were among the dignitaries in attendance in Oxford House Aug. 24 when Bunibonibee Cree Nation member Sarah Harper celebrated her 111th birthday, a milestone that likely makes her the oldest person in Manitoba. 

Harper was born several years before the First World War, about a decade before some Manitoba women got the right to vote and only a year after the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan were created out of what was then part of the Northwest Territories and joined Canada as provinces.

In attendance for Harper’s celebration were Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Grand Chief Arlen Dumas and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson, who also comes from Bunibonibee Cree Nation.

“The commemorative birthday of an elder is a very special event, especially a 111th birthday,” said North Wilson in an Aug. 22 press release. “Sarah and all our elders are our connection to our history and identity, but even more our elders represent our resilience and strength as northern Indigenous peoples across MKO territory. I am honoured and proud to acknowledge Sarah on behalf of the MKO leadership, and wish her and the community a very successful celebration.”

North Wilson noted that much about Manitoba and the world has changed since Harper was born.

“In reflecting on the history of our communities, our treaty regions, and on the history of Manitoba, Canada, and the world, it is amazing what Sarah has lived through,” said the MKO grand chief. “At the time of Sarah’s birth, Manitoba was still a ‘postage stamp’ province and the great majority of what is now Northern Manitoba was a part of the Northwest Territories. This means that our treaties in Northern Manitoba pre-date the province as we know it and were critical to the expansion of the province into the north.”

Harper also received congratulations from Bunibonibee Cree Nation Chief Timothy Muskego.

“Sarah has been a source of inspiration for all our community members,” he said. “She has been a pillar of support for our community members, especially the children and youth, who have been guided by her wisdom for many years. I congratulate Sarah and wish her and the Harper family a very happy and joyous celebration.”

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks