Evelyn Reta (Bignell) Ballantyne

Evelyn was born on March 5, 1941 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in The Pas, MB.  Creator called her home where she was reunited with her loved ones in the spirit world on March 10, 2025 – 2:32 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Hospital in The Pas, MB. 

 Evelyn married Albert Russell Ballantyne on July 31, 1959 in The Pas, MB.  Together, they had 6 children – Brian, Marlene (DeeDee), David, Donna, Diane and Richard (Ric).  Evelyn’s husband, Albert, passed to the spirit world in December 2013.  In June 1970, Albert and Evelyn lost their 6 year old son, David.  In September 2015, Evelyn lost Richard (Ric). She was affectionately known as “kookum” to many others.

She is the youngest child of Chief Cornelius Bignell and Florence Thomas.  Her older siblings affectionately called her “babyline”.

When she was very young, she attended residential school in Prince Albert, SK.  Although her sister was also there, they were not permitted to be with each other.  She told many stories of her experiences of residential school and even wrote a book about it; however; it wasn’t published.  She kept those memories to herself.

She also attended Sam Waller School on The Pas Indian Band (OCN).  Mr. Waller had mentioned how intelligent she was and that she would be a good writer.  This definitely came true a she is a published poet and an author of a children’s book called the Aboriginal Alphabet, with Noah Head (grandson) for illustrations and Marlene Ross (for Cree traditions).

In her mature years, she enjoyed church services, visiting, bingo, sewing, beading, drawing, and her love, was books.  She also kept up with world issues including Indigenous issues.  She loved Opasquia Times and Natotawin and watched the news throughout each day in between her classic movies.

She was an active advocate for Indigenous people, especially for women.  She was trustworthy, confidential, and genuine, many turned to her as their Counsellor as she was a “Natural Helper”.  She was a member of the Willing Workers for the Church of Messiah for many years.  It brought her such joy when she was with the ladies in this group.  She made several presentations including one for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.  She focused on the lives of Indigenous women who lost their treaty status and the implementation of Bill C-31.  She referenced housing, discrimination, and lack of women consultation on major political decisions.  She belonged to several Indigenous Women’s organizations and was instrumental in ensuring OCN was represented at the provincial and national levels. She was a founding member of several women’ organizations.  She also was a board member for several organizations, including OCN departments. Like her father, Cornelius, she was an eloquent speaker with beautiful handwriting.

Evelyn was a devoted wife and mother. She did not enter the workforce until all her children started grade 1.  Some of her past employment included Opasquiak Manufacturing, The Pas Friendship Center, Women’s Resource Center, and her last place of employment was The Pas Sweetgrass Head Start Center.  To this day, many people mention how much she did for young parents and the communities of The Pas and OCN. 

As a trapper and fisherman’s wife, she was fast in skinning and stretching and filleting.  Both, Albert and Evelyn took their children down river to fish, trap, berry picking, and camp.  It has instilled the importance of maintaining tradition.

Evelyn leaves a wonderful legacy of kindness, caring, loving, sharing, forgiving, giving, teaching, respect, wisdom, independence, compassion, humbleness, and most of all, the love for all her family and her wish for all to do their best with the gifts they were given.  She knew her gifts and roles, and did make a positive difference in this earthly world.

Surviving family – son, Brian A. (Karen) Ballantyne – daughters, Marlene (Don) Head, Donna Flett, and Diane (Corey) Pelly - sister, Anne Goodman- sisters-in-law, Linda Ballantyne (Bob Allen), Bertha Ballantyne, Margaret (Marjorie) Bignell – grandchildren, Noah (Michelle) Head, David Head, Michael Head (Kristina), Tyler Head, Dale Flett, Tahnee Flett (Conway), Cody Flett (Nicole), Jensen Flett (Donovan), Spencer Flett, Everett Balfour, Kaitlin Balfour, Briana Ballantyne, Conan Ballantyne (Trisha), Maximus Ballantyne (Jenelle), Delaney Ballantyne (Shania)-  great-grandchildren, Ethan, Ruth, Clyde, Sophia, Liam, Lucas, Dreyden, Jayden, Leighton, Peyton, Jordan, Tess, Reese, Donovan Jr., Rhett, Lark, Jake, Jed, Neo, Keanu,  Kerden, Freyah, Ricky, Daniel, Jessica, Richard, Maximus Jr, Nikita, Noah, Alex, Karma, Charisma, Keshia, Amelia, Cartier, Montana and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces and cousins.

Pre-deceased family – husband, Albert Russell Ballantyne - sons, David Gregory Ballantyne and Richard Daniel Ballantyne – father, Chief Cornelius Bignell – mother, Florence Bignell (Thomas) – father-in-law, Louison Ballantyne, mother-in-law, Emily Ballantyne – grandson, Richard Ballantyne Jr. – great-grandson - Alberta Flett-Sanderson – sisters, Emma Constant, Jean Smith – brothers, Philip Bignell, Paul Bignell, George Bignell, Eric Bignell – brothers-in-law, Harry Smith, Patrick Constant, Wally Bunch, Charles (Chuck) Goodman, Fred Campbell, Harvey Ballantyne, Laddie Ballantyne, Adolphe Ballantyne, Rene Ballantyne, Harry Ballantyne, Melvin Ballantyne – sisters-in-law, Lily Allan, Mary Campbell, Mary Jane Ballantyne, Marilyn Ballantyne, May Petrie, Betsy Ballantyne, Sarah Ballantyne, Dora Bignell, Elizabeth Dorion, Mabel Bignell, Rachel Bignell. If we missed anyone, it was not intentional.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Pas Sweetgrass Headstart Center "Elder Program".