The southern Alberta community has lost a champion of the less fortunate.  Nancy McPhee, Executive Director of the Stephen's Backpacks Society lost a mentor and dear friend of 25 years.  

On July 19th, Rev. Margaret Waterchief of the Siksika First Nation passed away from complications due to COVID-19 at the age of 88.  

She was a Blackfoot elder and the first Indigenous woman to be ordained in the Anglican Church Diocese of Calgary, and, while she accomplished some remarkable things in her life, to McPhee, she was something even more.

"I've known Margaret for 25 years and for the past 15 years that we've been running the charity she has been a spiritual mentor for us.  She is in touch with so many vulnerable people and she spent her whole life working for organizations like CUPS (Calgary Urban Projects Society), working on the reserve and really diligently helping vulnerable people there."

McPhee says each year she was in touch with Waterchief many times as she helped them connect with the most vulnerable populations for their program.  She also appreciated the calmness of spirit that Waterchief brought to every situation.

"She was just at peace," McPhee marvels.  "She knew exactly who she was and she knew exactly why she was here. Her whole life was committed to helping the less fortunate."

Waterchief was a survivour of the residential school system who overcame racism, poverty, and addiction to become an ordained Anglican priest at age 62 in 1994. She was prevented from speaking the Blackfoot language in residential schools but would eventually combine Blackfoot tradition with Christian teaching to care for her community. 

She provided love, support, and guidance to residents of downtown Calgary struggling with poverty.  When she spoke with the homeless and other victims of poverty she always listened and tried to learn from them and acknowledge their talents.

McPhee's feelings for Rev. Waterchief are summed up when she says, "She was just one of the finest human beings I've ever met.  She always put her family and her community first and she was just a very, very amazing woman, mentor, and friend."

Stephen's Backpacks is dedicating their programs for the rest of the year to Rev. Waterchief.  "I actually have a picture of her that we're blowing up and putting in the warehouse in her memory," explains McPhee.  "I think her spirit still lives on and once someone like Margaret touches your life, for any period of time, but I was blessed to have her in my life for a long time, I think that stays with you.  Her teachings, who she was, what she represented, that stays with you forever.  That's never going to be gone." 

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