Bench made in Victor Thunderchild's name. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Special Tribute

Former student makes bench in honour of late teacher

Sep 16, 2022 | 5:00 PM

A former teacher at Prince Albert’s Carlton Comprehensive Public High School is being remembered with a special tribute.

Victor Thunderchild died in April 2021 after contracting COVID-19.

His death not only shocked the school but the entire community. Thunderchild was known for helping promote Indigenous culture, as a prominent member of the community, but also as a caring teacher who wanted to see each student succeed.

One of his former students, Travis Clarkson, decided he wanted to honour his late teacher by creating a bench in his name. The two also lived near each other with Thunderchild reportedly sharing words of encouragement every time he saw Clarkson walk by.

Thunderchild’s wife Vi told paNOW she was overwhelmed that someone would do something so special for her husband.

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“It means a lot and I’m sure Victor’s smiling.”

The bench includes two Montreal Canadiens logos. Those who knew Thunderchild knew just how much he loved the team.

“He was always crazy about Montreal, and it starts with them being an original six (team), I think a lot of it has to do with his own dad,” said Vi.

Thunderchild was also a huge fan of goaltender Carey Price. The B.C. native also has ties to the Ulkatcho First Nation with his mom currently being the community’s Chief.

Vi explained one of her husband’s favourite memories was getting the chance to sit behind Price at an NHL game.

Victor Thunderchild. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

The bench was officially unveiled Friday at Carlton’s ‘Indigenous Day’ celebration.

Bruce Friesen, the school’s vice-principal, shared that he knew Thunderchild before he started at the school. He remembered coaching against his kids with the entire family being some of the nicest people he’d ever met.

“He was such an awesome role model.”

Friesen explained he wasn’t surprised a former student would take the time to honour Thunderchild.

“That’s just who Victor was, he touched so many people.”

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow