Eric John Bighetty

             Eric, a proud member, and warrior of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, Pukatawagan. All his life he lived in the land, forests, lakes and rivers, as a harvester of natural medicine, recycler, hunter, fisherman, and trapper. He never had to own a gun. He grew up using slingshots, bows, and arrows since he was a child. He hunted for wild food in the forest as taught to him by his grandparents Joseph and Catherine Bighetty.  And this was a way of life that was passed down for generations, and since time immemorial by our ancestors.

In the late spring of May 2025, Eric and his people were fully evacuated from the “Northern Manitoba Wildfires” and he was stationed in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sadly, eight months later, and in the winter season, Eric died Wednesday, December 31, 2025, just a few days after his transfer to the Flin Flon Hospital from the Victoria Hospital, Winnipeg. He was partially paralyzed and had suffered terribly. The circumstances surrounding the end of his life will not cast a shadow of hopelessness, despair, and instead hold onto the belief that love wins, and conquers evil.

Eric enjoyed life tremendously. He was a social butterfly, always giving his time, energy, and life to the joy of living. He would give up his last dollar and what little he had to others. He was kind, generous, forgiving, caring, and carried special qualities that were passed down from ancestral teachings.

Most of all, Eric will be remembered for his love of recycling. Pukatawagan people call it the “local Walmart”, but for Eric it was his land full of treasures. He found joy and value in his finds from FXR winter suites, fishing rods, tools, and large stash of money. Most of all it was being around his forest friends…the bears. The real wild bears who never ate him for dinner.

He will be sorely missed. His legacy reminds us of the real gold we must treasure and that is love, kindness, forgiveness, courage, humility, respect, family and faith.  He loved God’s gift to all of us, and that is the most beautiful woman on earth, “Mother Earth”.

In loving memory, you will be remembered and not forgotten.

Eric was the first born son of Jean John Bighetty and Marie Adele Bighetty (Nee Francois). Predeceased brother, Paul Bighetty, and sister Sarah Jean Bighetty.

Eric is survived by his children: Shawn Bighetty and  children Shawna, Dale and Maddie; Ricky Bighetty and children Xavier, Uina, Donate Prince; Survived by his sister Shirley Castel (husband Eli) and their children: Selena (Robert) and family; Ron (Elisa) and family; Steven (Corrine) and family; Dusty (Amanda) and family; Trish, Bryson, Rain, Billy; sister Colleen (Steven Bignell) and children: Chris, Rona, Juno, Jona, Hannah, Tiffany; brother Robert Bighetty (Anne Marie) and children: Harley, Leslie, Roxanne, Natasha, Robert Jr.; Rebecca (spouse Darren) and family Carla, Rose (spouse Devon); Scott (Amanda) and children; Shauna and family.

Eric was predeceased by his daughters Jenilee Ballantyne Bighetty (MMIWG, Winnipeg), Crystal and her daughter (Angel Ballantyne); father Jean Louis Bighetty; mother Marie Adele Bighetty (Francois); brother Paul Bighetty; sister Sarah Jane; grandparents Joseph and Catherine Bighetty, Albert and Helen Francois; aunties Bibiane, Agnes (Hyacinth), Mary (Leo), Clementine, Rose Anna, Caroline (Jeremie), Genevieve (Oliver), Marlene, Doreen, Donna; uncles Emile Bighetty, Claudomaire Francois, Frank Dumas; grandsons Troy, Robert, Latrail, River.

WAKE SERVICE

Thursday, January 22, 2026

At the residence of Cyrille Colomb, Pukatawagan, MB

FUNERAL SERVICE

Friday, January 23, 2026    1:00 pm

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pukatawagan, MB

Presider: Fr. Dhana Amarlapudi,

Hilda Francois and Flora Grieves

INTERMENT

Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Pukatawagan, MB

PALLBEARERS

Steven Castel, Ron Castel,

Dusty Castel, Harley Bighetty, Hanson Dumas, Derek Colomb,

John (AJ) Dumas, Emile Castel,

Gary Colomb Sr., Gary Colomb,

Jr. Marc (Mojo) Bighetty.

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

Joe Caribou, Lazare Bighetty,

Ryan Colomb, Adeliade Bighetty, Cyrille Colomb, Timothy Colomb,

Leo Caribou, James Caribou,

Rosie Colomb, Castel Family, Bighetty Family, Caribou Family, Ballantyne Family. 

All relatives and friends too numerous to mention all.

If we missed anyone,

it was not intentional.