More than a body: His name was James ‘Moose’ Sewap

“But through all of that, through all the struggles and all of everything, he was a good man,” Jamie said. “He raised me up and he treated me good.”

Multiple songs were played in Honour of ‘Moose.’ (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

James had been living on the street when he passed away. Police said his death was sudden, but the cause has not been reported. Jamie explained his father had thyroid cancer, which was in remission, and said his health issues were severe. He walked with crutches because he was waiting on surgery for his kneecaps.

Jamie is hoping to see more done for homeless people living in Prince Albert, such as support for addictions and more shelter options so no one is sleeping outside. He said if they can be carefully watched, “it won’t happen like what happened to my father.”

A traditional smudging by an elder took place during the ceremony. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

A lot of people showed up to honour James. Jamie said his father was a part of this community for a long time and he felt blessed by the support.

Helping others

One of those in attendance was Jennifer Robaillard, a homeless woman who said James had a big heart. In the wintertime when it got cold, he would keep her warm.

“I slept on his lap while we were sitting on the ground on a cardboard box, and he kept the other guy warm on his other lap. He took off his jacket and kept us warm,” she said.

She explained the homeless community in P.A. is like family and she hopes Prince Albert can make a difference for them. She would like to see a new homeless shelter, and a kitchen for all four seasons. She also hopes to see more donations of clothing because she often sees people without shoes.

Hockey memories

Tomas McDermott, a childhood friend of James said they grew up at Denare Beach but only saw him two months out of the year because James would go to residential school in the fall.

As James got older, he played junior hockey in Melville and Nipawin, with and against McDermott at times.

James was known as a tough guy on the ice.

“At the time, the Buffalo Sabres also had a keen eye on him because of his size and because of what he could do,” McDermott said adding James was a gifted skater and had natural talent. “And then he was asked to go and try out for the Rochester Americans later on and he didn’t go and then his life went in a different way.”

Last time they saw each other was in September and McDermott explained they had a good conversation and laughed about the times they had in Nipawin.

Homelessness in Prince Albert

Natalie Guimond with PAGC Urban Services, who organized the event said she knew James well through their winter shelter. He often took advantage of their services including the Stepping Stones shelter.

“When he came into the facility everybody calmed down and it wasn’t because they were afraid of him. It was because he had that respect that when he walked into a space it was like ‘Moose is here,’” Guimond said adding he looked after others who were new to the street.

(Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

She said there are 96 homeless individuals on any given day who are trying to find accommodations and of those 96, at least 30 can’t be sheltered due to circumstances. Due to funding, she said, the community is not able to take care of every persons’ needs including addictions or grief counseling.

“When the shelter shutdown at the end of April, we couldn’t get any more at the YWCA because their funding dried up. You saw everyone on the riverbank displaced and that is the direct impact of no shelter facilities in our city,” she said. “We celebrated getting through the winter with no deaths, but it doesn’t mean that we are really celebrating because in a beautiful warm evening, we lost a person, friend, uncle, dad, comedian, hockey player and a survivor.”

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Ian.gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @iangustafson12

by Ian Gustafson

More than a body: His name was James ‘Moose’ Sewap

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