Helen (Whitehead) Sinclair

Helen Sinclair of Opaskwayak Cree Nation passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 27, 2025, with family by her side at the age of 70 years. 

Helen (our dear mom) was born February 28, 1954, to John and Jessie Whitehead, the second eldest and first daughter of 13 children.  Mom was raised on Riverside in Opaskwayak.  As the eldest, she became a help to her mother, her unwavering support was displayed throughout their childhood.  Mom was a devoted daughter, and the love between her and her mother was evident. To her younger siblings, she was a beacon of love and wisdom. 

Helen was married to James Albert Sinclair at the Church of Messiah on December 31, 1970. Together they had five children, Shelley, Kirby, Tricia, Natasha and Jeremy.  Helen shared the importance of her marriage and keeping her family together.  Mom and dad built a home to ensure our family would have a solid foundation forever.  Mom was the rock in our family.  She worked hard to ensure her husband and children were well looked after.   Mom was overjoyed when her grandchildren and chapans came into this world.  She would often call her children to make sure they were safe and well taken care of, dressing them warm (petayas) loving and hugging them.

Mom was active in her younger years.  She played fastball with the Reserve Nines and then with her sisters The Pas Chargers playing centerfield.  Mom was very proud and honored to play along side her sisters, winning tournaments, including the Women’s Fastball League in The Pas.  Mom was the fastest runner, and was known as “Pink Panther” as she was the swiftest.

Our mom was an entrepreneur, she owned a taxi business, concession booth and catering company.  Mom took pride in her owning her businesses.  As a taxi driver, she loved driving the elders around as she was able to talk to them in Cree.  During Opaskwayak Indian Days mom set up her concession booth as she wanted to make money to purchase clothes and supplies for her children before the new school year started.  In her later years, Mom went into the catering business.  She hired her sisters and niece, Paywahpun, to help.  They shared that mom was a leader in the kitchen; she knew what to cook and how much to cook and feed everyone.  Mom was successful in whatever business she had. However, the most important job she held was being a homemaker and mother to her children.  Her children were grateful for having mom home everyday.  They always looked forward to seeing her as soon as they got home from school. Mom would greet them with the biggest smile and ask about their day.  Even though mom stayed home, she still worked, fixing the furs that dad brought in from the trapline or cleaning the ducks and muskrats for supper.  Auntie Elaine (Lala) described mom as one of the hardest workers that never complained, working hard for her family. 

Mom’s home was filled with love.  She hosted many gatherings such as birthday parties, dinners at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and News Year’s. Mom always thought about the children organizing Easter egg hunts and Valentine’s Day Tea Parties that many will remember forever.  Mom always made people laugh, her humour was contagious.  Everyone knew mom had the greatest love for her family, especially her nieces and nephews, who affectionately called her the “Queen”.   Her presence was all that was needed to feel the love she had for everyone.

Mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014, which caused her to slow down.  However, Mom continued to do the things that she loved such as attending family gatherings; paying her respects at wakes and funerals along side with her granddaughter Rainee and sisters Brenda (Data), Millie, and sister-in-law Linda; and visiting her friends, “Larry” and “Cleopatra” at the casinos saying it was her time to relax.  In 2024, mom made the difficult decision to move into St. Paul’s Personal Care Home, she remained at the care home until her passing.  Our dad devoted his time comforting and visiting her every day. 

Mom leaves us with a message, “Love is the most important of all, the gift God has given us”.

Helen is survived by her husband James Albert Sinclair, children: Shelley (Tucker), Tricia (Derek), Natasha, Jeremy and George; daughters-in-law Whitney Constant and Julianna Cook, son-in-law: Roderick Spence Jr.; grandchildren: Randi Blair, Rainee, Reegan, Melodine, Ethan, Harold, Jordan, Michael, Blossom, Charmaine, Braesyn, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Josiah, and Kaitlin; chapans: Rayden, Rylan, Rayce, Maisy and Vivian; daughter in godchildren: Charlotte Constant, George Flett, Bobbi-Faye Sinclair, her siblings: Frank Whitehead (Eleanor), Millie Delaronde (Ken), Olive Beardy (Moses), Margaret Whitehead, Maureen Brown (Don), Elaine Kadachuk, Alvin Whitehead, Brenda Nelson, Bobbi-Faye Sinclair (Scott), and Marcella McGillivary; and in-laws: John George Sinclair (Lillian); Norman Sinclair (Shirley), and Linda Lathlin , and the Budd and Carriere Families. If we forgot to mention anyone it was not intentional .

Mom was predeceased by her son: Kirby Sinclair, parents: John and Jessie Whitehead, baby sister: Harriet Matilda, mother-in-law: Eva Sinclair, Louisa and Ben Sinclair, uncle and auntie: Roger and Olive Carriere, uncle: Frank Budd granny Louisa Buck, sisters: Kathy Whitehead, Joslin Jackson, brother: Melvin “Chip” Whitehead; sisters in law: Christina Halcrow, Margaret Whitehead, brother-in-law Peter Lathlin, nephews: Junior Halcrow, Ayrton Kadachuk, nieces: Elaine Cook and Francesca Whitehead, chapan: Ryder Armstrong, special granddaughter Alexis Daniels. As well as family too numerous to mention, if we forgot  anyone it was not intentional.