Maurice Henri Goutier

Maurice Henri Goutier

It is with peace and love and faith in Christ  that the family of Maurice Henri Goutier share with you the passing of our beloved Father. Maurice began his journey to The Great Sandhills with his soulmate of 58 years and his grandchildren by his side holding his hands, and having had the opportunity to have his children those he held dearest with him throughout the day. Maurice began his life in Vermillion, Alberta and was welcomed into the world by his parents Paul and Ellen Goutier on March 30, 1928. Maurice was the second oldest of his siblings. When Maurice’s parents welcomed a set of twins into the world, Maurice was sent to live with a German family for a period of time who couldn’t pronounce his name and called him “Wee Jocko”.  As a child, Maurice had an insatiable curiosity about the world around him and this often got him into a bit of trouble, especially when he got too close to a skunk and was not allowed back into the house for a while! One of Maurice’s notable misadventures with animals was when he discovered that he could put the family’s chickens to sleep by gently tucking their heads under their arms, and doing so to the entire flock. Unfortunately for the chickens, and for Maurice, his dad came home on the tractor and ran the birds over. Maurice’s high school years were spent around Vermillion County wherein he made many good friends and often got into mischief, hiding behind snow banks and throwing snowballs at other kids riding their horses to school. Maurice moved on in the world and obtained his Bachelor of Theology and began his life of service to the indigenous peoples of Canada. In his work, Maurice travelled throughout Alberta and far into the North West Territories and back again, spending many years on the Blood Reserve, Tsuu Tina Nation and eventually settling in Siksika in the mid 1960’s where he met Eileen and began to raise their family. Together, with their children, Lorne, Maria and John, Maurice and Eileen spent many years travelling for camping trips and sharing in adventures. Maurice and Eileen lived in Edmonton and Calgary before returning to Siksika and building their dream home together in 2002. Maurice was a man with a deeply rooted Faith in God and the Catholic Church, which he shared with those around him. Maurice embraced the cultural and traditional beliefs of Siksika. His work with the Church introduced him to many Indigenous people who grew to love him as their own family, and created generational bonds between his friends and each others families as well. During Maurice’s years living on Siksika among the Blackfoot people, he got to work with his entrepreneurial spirit and founded the Blackfoot Cattle Coop, Siksika Rodeo Association, Siksika Bus Coop, and the Siksika Boxing Club. Maurice worked closely with the late Chief Leo Pretty Young Man on the conceptual design, funding and development of the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park. Maurice worked closely with Siksika Land Claims and Chief Joseph Weasel Child contributing to the research pertaining to many land claims, such as the 1910 land claim, castle mountain land claim, Bassano Damn land claim etc. Maurice was an expert on Blackfoot History and was contracted by Siksika Chief and Council to research and aide the legal teams on the Stoney vs Siksika historical land claim, in which he successfully provided evidence in Siksika’s favour. Maurice worked closely with Chief Roy Little Chief on many cultural and historical projects. Maurice was contracted by Siksika Chief and Council to obtain funds and develop a Blackfoot Language lesson which was published and distributed throughout the Blackfoot Confederacy. One of Maurice’s proudest accomplishments for the people of Siksika was the introduction of a herd of Buffalo on the Nation. Maurice was a man of many talents which included the ability to speak several languages and notably being a fluent speaker of the Blackfoot Language and passing along the teachings to generations of learners. Maurice was a life long horse whisperer and shared his passion with his children and his grand daughters who became champion Barrel Racers. Maurice enjoyed watching his grand daughters in rodeos which led him to recall his own adventure riding in the Calgary Stampede as an Outrider for Rufus Good Strikers Chuckwagon team. In addition to being an expert horseman, Maurice also welcomed the love of animals as well, raising Greyhounds in his younger days and sharing many adventures with them, and in his senior years working with nervous animals to allow them to find their own peace. Maurice’s heart was filled with music and enjoyed playing his guitar, piano, organ and accordion and singing to his grand children and great grand children. Maurice’s grandchildren and great grandchildren were what defined him. His love for them was shown in the most genuine and sincere ways. Maurice was actively invlved in the education of all of his family members, having homeschooled his eldest grandson for 3 years of High School, watching with proud tears in his eyes as his daughter received her two degrees and cheering on his grand daughters in their degrees and diplomas and teaching his first born great granddaughter counting and alphabets. Maurice’s life will be remembered by his soulmate and best friend of 58 years, Eileen, and his children Lorne (Hong) Black, Maria (Curtis) Big Snake and John (Angela) Black and his beloved grandchildren Waylon, whom he raised with Eileen, Meagan, Suzanne, Anessa, Brae, Justin, Bailey, Hank, Emmylou and Liam and his precious great grand children Harlow, Zeke, Blake, and Rhegan. Maurice’s heart was filled with love for all and cared for Tweety, Jason, Tyler, Kera, Lesley, Jack, Kendall, Eulalia, Lavina and Jeanette as his own. Maurice will also be remembered by his Black family who loved and took care of him, including Sally, Sidney (Melva) Sheila, Stanley (Roxy), Stewart (Kathy) Breaker & Rachel First Rider. In the Great Sand Hills, Maurice has joined Nelson, Patsy, Theresa, Elsie, Suzanne, Camille and Uncle Father Joseph. Maurice’s siblings Marie, Therese, Cecile, Jeanne and Robert share in his family’s mourning. Maurice’s family would like to thank Siksika Emergency Medical Services, Arrowwood Fire & Rescue, Stars Air Ambulance and Foothills Emergency for their care of him in his last hours. Maurice Goutier of Siksika Nation, beloved husband of Eileen, passed away at Calgary on July 13, 2022 at the age of 94. Wake Services will be held at Maurice and Eileen's residence on Monday, July 18, 2022 at 10:00 AM. Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 PM on July 19, 2022 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Siksika Nation. A full obituary will be made available once finalized.

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