NORMAN LINKLATER
(September 26, 1953 to October 17, 2017)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Norman Norris Linklater – our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Uncle, Brother-in-law, and Friend. Norman leaves to mourn his passing – his wife Elizabeth (Liz); daughters Joan (Alex Hart); Roslyn and Leona; adopted children – Sheldon Moore, Joe Moose, Zach, Elana, Bethany Hall, Melissa Peterson, Earl Hart, Kevin and Larson Tait; Grandchildren – Quade, Alyce, Keegan, Ellis, Kayleen, Brady, Brandy, Kristen, Craig, Keyan, Kaylee, Renada, Peyton, Breydon, Sierra and Triston and Great-Grandchildren – Zechariah, Taya, Taleah, Kearson, Keenan, McKinley; his mother Dorothy; siblings Shirley Ann Linklater, Myrtle Linklater, Lorraine Parisien (Walter), Pat Linklater (Amber), Rick Linklater (Eileen), Kim Linklater-Beardy, Bonnie Linklater (Howard), Graeme Linklater (Francine), sister-in-law Matilda Linklater, adopted siblings - Bertha Spence, Deanna Moose and Sandra Moose and all of their families; his sisters and brother-in-laws Angie and Ron Spence, Wilson Moore and Lorette Bonner, Ronnie and Barb Moore, and Darrell and Susie Moore and their families, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was predeceased by his father, former Chief Nelson Linklater and his maternal grand-parents Sara-Jane and Isaac Spence who raised him, and his paternal grandparents Sarajane and Edward Linklater as well as his siblings Maggie Moose, Horace Spence, Wayne Linklater, David Linklater, Roslind Linklater, Kurt Linklater, Timothy and Calvin Spence, three grand-children, one great-granddaughter, Tenleah Moore and his in-laws, Alice and Jack Moore, Willie Moore, and Joe Spence. All who knew him will cherish memories of his commitment, dedication to family and community, his wit, dry sense of humor and his positive attitude regardless of the challenges he faced.
Norman was born in Nelson House and spent his early years there. He left to go to school in Thompson and Winnipeg, returning to marry Elizabeth, his lifelong love and partner on April 29, 1977. To support his family, Norman worked driving bus and then taxi for his father-in-law and then later opening up his own taxi business. He was then employed by Forest Industries Inc., a company owned by the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator on various construction projects including the Notigi Control Structure, part of the Churchill River Diversion project. This led Norm into politics in the 1980’s following massive flooding in Nelson House from hydro development. He served as a Councillor for 10 years before serving as Chief of NCN from 1990 to 1994. After serving his last term on Council from 1994 to 1996, he became the Nation’s CEO until he and current Chief Marcel Moody, became the co-managers for Future Development to explore the possibility of entering into a partnership with Manitoba Hydro to build the Wuskwatim Generating Station. He served in that capacity throughout extensive negotiations, environmental hearings and community approval processes from 1999 to 2006, when he became head of the Wuskwatim Implementation Office, the position he held till he became sick in September 2015.
Norman fought a courageous battle with cancer for the past two years. His family was his pride and joy. He loved a good laugh, jokes, time spent at his cabin on the Burntwood River hunting and fishing, Friday nights at his garage, politics and his community. He was an unbelievable role model, showing courage in the face of adversity. He will always be remembered and his spirit will live on forever.
The family would like to thank the NCN nursing station staff, as well as the staff at the Thompson General Hospital, the Health Sciences Centre, particularly Dr. Lipschitz and the staff at Victoria General Hospital, cancer care, particularly Dr. Kim.
A celebration of Norman’s life was held on Monday, October 23, 2017 at OK School gym in Nelson House, Manitoba at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that anyone wishing to do so, make a donation in Norman’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society - pancreatic cancer research.
