Alberta Billy, the We Wai Kai Elder who in 1985 demanded that The United Church of
Canada apologize for its role in colonization and the loss of Indigenous languages, culture,
and spirituality, passed away on June 13, 2022. The Moderator and the General Secretary offer their deep condolences to Alberta’s husband Dan, their family, and their community.

Alberta’s actions and words on behalf of the Native Ministries Council at the November
1985 meeting of the General Council Executive both shocked and reverberated with those present, and ultimately led to the church’s first Apology to Indigenous Peoples at the 31st General Council in August 1986.

In 2016, Alberta, accompanied by one of her grandchildren, was present at a ceremony to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Apology in Sudbury, Ontario. This picture of Alberta Billy was taken at the location of the Cairn (at Lot #15 at Laurentian University) on that day.

The Cairn was officially dedicated on October 1^st 1988. There are two plaques at the Cairn currently. One, created by the Whitefish River First Nation, explaining the significance of the red flagstone in the rock that makes up the Cairn and a second that explains the meaning of the memorial in Anishinabemowin, French and English.

The Cairn remains “incomplete” and can be added to as the reconciliation process continues.

Photo: Kelly Buehler.

For more information about this remarkable woman and her legacy, please click on Mourning and Honouring Alberta Billy.