Respected Elder dies
- EFN Staff | March 25, 2015
A respected Elder in the First Nations community has died.
Elder Lilly Daniels (White Bear Standing Woman) passed away on the morning of Tuesday, March 24, 2015. She was 80 years old.
A service will be held in Regina on Friday, March 27th, 2015. The location is yet to be determined.
There will be a second Service and Burial to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at the George Gordon First Nation.
The name Lilly Daniels symbolizes kindness, caring, generosity and a helping hand. Lily was known for many of her great contributions to the First Nations community in Saskatchewan, especially to the Powwow circle.
Lilly was born on the Gordon's Reserve, although she was a member of the Kawacatoose Band. She spent many years in a Residential School and worked hard all over Southern Saskatchewan as a young woman.
Lilly moved to Regina in the early 1960s. Once there, she raised her 6 children: Gary, Kevin, Lyle, Liana, Lisa and Allan, as well as contributing to the Regina community. She was actively involved with the Regina Native Women's Association at the onset of this organization. She helped established their first Day Care Centre and went on to work at the Regina Native Women's Girl's Treatment Centre.
Lilly always had a commitment to young girls and women. She lost her mother at a very young age. Lilly never wanted other young girls and women to feel as lonely as she did when she was growing up. She had definitely filled the lives of many people. Lilly had helped them find themselves and to always know they had a "kookum, mother, sister, auntie," and a friend in her.
For many years Lilly had reoccurring dreams of a group of girls dancing Powwow and a shawl with a rainbow and a teepee painted on, it. Although, Lilly had organized a Powwow troupe for the Regina Native Women's Association, she finally acted on her dream and created the Rainbow Fancy Dancers in the early 1980s. The dancers in this group all wore shawls with a rainbow and a teepee painted on them. She worked night and day to make her dream and her Dance Troupe a reality. She spent her own time, money, and energy on these dancers.
Lilly sewed their dresses herself; drove the dancers to performances around the city, province, and outside of Saskatchewan. Sometimes Lilly did this virtually on her own. Lilly's name became synonymous with the Rainbow Fancy Dancers.
Lilly not only worked with her dancers, she also helped other people and organizations form dance groups. She helped young people become involved in dancing and sponsoring Powwows at Connaught School, Sacred Heart, Herchmer, the Core Ritchie Centre, the Circle Project, the Provincial Correctional Centre and the Albert Library - to name a few.
Lilly did not only teach dancing, she taught people about their culture, their traditions and their values. She made sure her dancers knew who they were and have pride in themselves. Lilly made sure her dancers "walk their walk."
Lilly is not only active with her dancers. She was also active in the community. She gave talks at many agencies such as the Foster Parent Association; and she cooked for many feasts and gatherings. She counselled anyone that came to her for help, and she was always there for those who needed her. Most of all Lily was found giving hope, inspiration and faith to many of her people and especially the youth.
Lily was vibrant, cheerful, and an essential part of the Saskatchewan First Nations community. Lilly's smiling face, caring, kind and generous attitude made her a welcome sight at all Powwows and social gatherings.
Read a previous feature we did on Lilly.
Click here for more News stories.