Scholarship fund created in Métis vet's honour
- Linda Mikolayenko | November 11, 2016
Norman MacAuley lived a life of service. He served his country as a soldier in World War II, and served northern Saskatchewan in many capacities, including Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Cumberland constituency. With his passing this summer at the age of 98, a scholarship in his memory has been established to support Métis students in their post-secondary education.
Education was important to him, says MacAuley’s granddaughter, Erin (MacAuley) Reid.
Born in La Ronge of Cree and Scottish ancestry, MacAuley was one of only a few Métis day students who attended the All Saints Indian Residential School there.
“He might have had a Grade 8,” said Reid. “Had there been opportunity for him to continue, I think he would have taken it.”
However, says Reid, that lack of opportunity did not prevent him from accomplishing great things.
“He seemed to always tackle any issue head on,” said Reid, “and always wanted to do the best. He might not have had the formal education, but was always willing to take it on, because his ultimate goal was to make conditions in life better for everyone in the north.”
From 1942 to 1946, he served with the 8th Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in the Royal Canadian Army 70th Battery. He was sent to England for training, where he met and married his wife, Hetty. As a gunner, he saw action in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Reid notes that MacAuley often related his experience being part of the Normandy invasion – “the horrors of it, as well as the outcome.”
MacAuley served as the MLA for Cumberland from 1975 to 1982, representing the New Democratic Party. In presenting a motion of condolence in the Legislature on November 1, 2016, Premier Brad Wall said MacAuley also served as the Legislative Secretary for the Minister of the Department of Northern Saskatchewan.
Opposition Leader Trent Wotherspoon noted that a few paragraphs of MacAuley’s maiden speech in the Legislature were in Cree.
“The Legislative Library believes that Mr. MacAuley would likely be the very first person to speak Cree in this Assembly,” said Wotherspoon.
Graham Guest is an archival historian with the Northern Saskatchewan Archives in La Ronge which intends to feature MacAuley and his contributions during the annual Archives Week Open House in 2017. Guest’s research shows MacAuley engaged in a number of occupations, including working for the provincial government, as an RCMP Special Constable, and tourist camp operator. His community service included being the first president of the La Ronge Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, the first chairman of the Northern School Board and La Ronge Regional Community College, and the first La Ronge Scout Master.
With his commitment to education and youth, the family has chosen to honour his memory by establishing the Norman MacAuley Scholarship Fund. Reid, who has previously taught at Churchill Community High School in La Ronge, says an annual scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student with documented Métis ancestry graduating from Grade 12 at Churchill “who will be going on to any sort of post-secondary training that they choose – technical school, vocational school, university, college.”
Donations are still being accepted to the Norman MacAuley Scholarship Fund, care of Erin & Doug Reid, 9 - 1316 Township Road, 533 Parkland County, Alberta T7Y 0G2