Death Notices: Noel Doucette 58, Chapel Island

Chief Noel (Bushette) Doucette, 58, of Chapel Island, formerly of Membertou, died Wednesday, July 24, at the Victoria General Hospital after a lengthy fight with lung cancer.

Born at the old St. Rita’s Hospital, he was the son of the late Noel and Cecelia (Christmas) Doucette, of Membertou, Sydney.

1954-1964, he was clerk/administration in the Royal Canadian Air Force serving in numerous units across Canada.

1965-1966, community development field worker, Extension Department, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, N.S. Work involved organizing and training reserve committees, co-ordinating workshops in public speaking and community organization, working with band councils in leadership training courses and band administration.

1966-1968, assistant super-intendent, Department of Indian Affairs, in charge of welfare for five Cape Breton reserves.

1969-1973, founding president, Union of Nova Scotia Indians. Initiated numerous native programs, including the Micmac Association of Cultural Studies and the Micmac Alcohol and Drug Education Program. Both are now independent Micmac organizations serving all Micmac communities in Nova Scotia. Initiated and developed Micmac News Letter and major bimonthly Micmac News.

Major accomplishments included: (1) Successful negotiations for hunting and fishing rights for all Micmacs of Nova Scotia; (2) Negotiations on tax exemption rights for Indians of Nova Scotia; (3) Organized native fisherman, resulting in development of oyster fisheries on Cape Breton Island over a period of six years, resulted in employment and training of 150 native fisherman. Also trained and employed numerous Micmac people, a large percentage of whom are currently serving leadership role as chiefs, councilors, or band employees.

1974, program coordinator and adviser, Union of Nova Scotia Indians.

1975-1978, organizer and first president of the Nova Scotia Indian Arts and Crafts Society. Also served as vice-president of National Indians Arts and Crafts Corp. Assisted in formation of North American Indian Film Company and served as the first president. Sixteen films on Native Canadian Craft were completed.

1978-1982, vice-president and adviser, Nova Scotia Native Trappers Association. Assisted in formation of this organization.

1981-1985, president, Union of Nova Scotia Indians. Involved in formation of new programming including: establishment of Ulnooweg Development Corp., a totally native corporation, an economic development vehicle for Micmacs of Nova Scotia. Responsible for negotiations and establishment of Micmac Children’s Aid Society, currently employing 29 Micmacs in social work. Worked toward establishment of Special MSC/BSW Course for Natives of Nova Scotia at Maritime School of Social Work, Dalhousie University, leading to professional training in the health, legal and business department field. Commenced negotiations to successfully bring to Canadian Supreme Court, the Simon Case leading to recognition of the aboriginal rights for Micmacs of Nova Scotia. Took part and prepared papers for constitutional discussions at first minister conferences on aboriginal affairs.

1985-1986, adviser – Eskasoni Band Council.

1986-1989, adviser – Chapel Island Band Council.

Other organizational and community positions: 1965-1966, president, Johnstown Home and School Association. 1967, chairman, centennial committee, organizing Indian events and native participation during Centennial Year. Organized major canoe pageant, Chapel Island to Montreal. Also organized Micmac Princess Pageant, which is still an annual event. Awarded Centennial Medal for outstanding leadership with Indian organizations and community. 1967, appointed Lifetime Grand Captain (spiritual leader for the Micmac Nation), resigned one year later for personal reasons. 1968-1969, organized and established the Union of Nova Scotia Indians. 1965-1969, member, Maritime Indian Advisory Council, including chairman for one year. Also served as representative and chairman on the Canadian Indian Advisory Council. 1965-1971, board member, Indian-Eskimo Association of Canada, including chairman for a period. 1968-1971, assisted in formation of Native Council of Nova Scotia, the provincial organization for non-status Indians. Served as founding president. Also active in formation of the Native Council of Canada and served as board member, adviser and participant in numerous activities associated with the organization. 1968-1973, member of the organizing committee to establish the National Indian Brotherhood and founding member until 1973. Served on numerous NIB committees and delegations. 1965-1977, band councilor (four years) and chief (eight years), Chapel Island Band. 1969-1977, commissioner, Nova Scotia Humans Rights Commission.

Active in human rights activities and served as adviser on human rights matters involving native and minority groups. Assisted in the formation of numerous affirmative action committees in Nova Scotia. 1981-Sept/1985, Chairman of the health committee, Assembly of First Nations.

1985-1988, board member – Richmond County Development Corp. Duties include review and funding of local enterprises – assist in feasibility studies of county-wide business enterprises.

Instrumental in formation of workers co-op in Christmas tree industry on Cape Breton Island. 1988-Present, member Richmond Tourist Association. 1989-Present, board member – (CCED) Centre for Community Economic Development, during include review of business plans, funding of same for new businesses serving Cape Breton. Carry out research for potential enterprises and assist in formulating policy and Economic Development education for CDC’s in Cape Breton and Nova Scotia.

Present, Member-St. Peter’s Lions Club. Frequent speaker to Rotary and numerous service, voluntary organizations and schools on topics related to natives in Nova Scotia and Canada. Instrumental in design of program and training of 16 processional native hunting and fishing guides. Assisted in design of two major youth entrepreneurial training programs. Currently on board of Confederation on Mainland Micmac Youth Entrepreneurial Training Program.

1991-Present, chairman – advisory group on native policing for five bands in Cape Breton; chairman – Micmac Education Authority (Mi’kmaq Kinamasity); chairman/commissioner – Unamaki Tribal Police; UCCB – board member; board member – Mi’kmaq Family and Children’s services; International Court of Justice – Chiefs of Ontario; member – Atlantic Policy Congress; Ulnooweg Development – board member; chief – Chapel Island Band.

He received numerous awards and medals beginning in 1967 when he was awarded the Centennial Medal by the Centennial Commission, Ottawa.

In 1977 he received a copy of the Canadian Bill of Rights by the Right Hon. John Diefenbaker, Prime Minister of Canada, in 1983 he received his outstanding leadership award for his role as president of the Union of Nova Scotia Indians. In 1987 the Eskasoni Women’s Auxiliary presented him with an outstanding service award for the people of Eskasoni. In 1988 Union of Nova Scotia Indians presented him with a plaque in appreciation for the Micmac Treaty Moose Harvest that upheld the strength and protection of treaties and aboriginal rights. In 1991 he received the President’s Appreciation Award in recognition of his service to the Lions Club in St. Peter’s. In that same year he was recognized for his outstanding achievements with the Atlantic Aboriginal Policing Conference. And in 1992 he received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary for the Confederation of Canada. In 1994 he received his citation for citizenship for his outstanding achievements which exemplified Canadian values and principals of Canadian Citizenship.

Surviving are his wife, Jean Doris (Johnson) Doucette; seven daughters, Anne (Laurie), Membertou, Denise, Afton, Natalie and Noelle, Chapel Island, Yvonne Giselle, Rita, at home; four sons, Noel Richard, Charles, Francis, Chapel Island and Quentin, at home; thee sisters, Nora MacDonald-Plourde, North Salem, Miranda MacDonald, Ottawa, Shirley Ward, Eel Ground, N.B.; two brothers, Douglas and Archie MacDonald, Membertou, along with 23 grandchildren; three nieces and four nephews.

He was predeceased by his stepfather, Joseph MacDonald, one son, Cecil Stephen, two brothers Albert MacDonald and Gordon MacDonald.

The later Chief Doucette will rest at the family residence in Chapel Island after 2 p.m. Saturday, July 27.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 29 in Immaculate Conception Church, Barra Head. Interment in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Nation Capel Fund, or the Capel Island child care Initiative Fund. My request family flowers only. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Alex Morrison’s Funeral Home, St. Peter’s.