Bunnie, Samuel (1945-2004)

Born on the Sakimay Reserve on June 2, 1945, Samuel Bunnie promoted Education and self-government for First Nations people. In 1964, he received his Grade 12 diploma from Regina’s Scott Collegiate, a rare accomplishment for an Aboriginal person at the time. He then returned to the Sakimay Reserve near Grenfell and served as Chief of the Sakimay Indian Band for twelve years. In addition, Bunnie chaired the Education Commission of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and served on the boards of the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. He was instrumental in negotiating a $6.3 million Alternative Funding Agreement for the Sakimay Band and a $3.9 million land claim settlement. Having improved the quality of life for his band members and others, Samuel Bunnie received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 1992. He died in June 2004.

Canadian Plains Research Center