Obituary of Lee Kornell Poucette

“Mậkoche Watậga”

August 5, 1978 - Calgary, Alberta

January 1, 2023 - Canmore, Alberta

It is with great profound sadness and heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved son, father and brother Lee Cornell Poucette on January 1, 2023, at the age of 44 years surrounded by family.

At a very young age, Lee was keen on reading comic books about Archie. Science and history books were his favourite readings. In grade 5, Lee’s test score was academically high and was advance to the next grade. 

As a youth, he would carry a thesaurus and dictionary, and with his cleverness, he would then test his sisters. As a young adult, Lee wrote an essay on his great-grandfather Walking Buffalo that captured the attention of a professor who encouraged him to attend the University of Calgary. Lee’s proficiency in writing and reading led him to study Indigenous history, the Treaties and to identify the impacts of Indian Residential Schools.

Aside from his academics, Lee had a talent as a goalie. He played in Canmore and Morley Minor Hockey, Alberta Treaty Hockey, and Alberta Native Provincials. He was invited to try out for the Cochrane Generals and Regina Pats as well. Throughout Lee’s life he attended numerous goalie camps. As a youth, Lee was very involved in hockey games and helped either as a clock keeper or score keeper for Morley Braves.

He took pride in his passion for reading and writing and attending the University of Calgary. He was also a singer with the Chiniki Lake Jr’s drum group and travelled to pow-wows. Lee was a kind and gentle person who loved his son and daughter and his mother very much.

Lee will be lovingly remembered by his son, Calum “Dada” Poucette, his daughter Jada Baptise, his mother Kathleen Poucette, his adopted brothers Dennis (April) Whitebear and Conrad Husky Lefthand (Martina); sisters, Koko (Fred), Pauline, Paula, Sandra, Natalie (Rob), and Rachel (Myron); and his numerous nieces, nephews, and his friends. He is also survived by large extended families in Mini Thni, AB, and the Poucette, Kootenay, Crawler, Dixons, Powderface, Bearspaw, Williams and Jacobs Families.

Wake Services will be held at the residence of Kathleen Poucette (Morley, AB) on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Bearspaw Youth Centre (Morley, AB) on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.  Graveside Service to follow at Wesley Cemetery (Morley, AB).  A Traditional Feast will be held at the Bearspaw Youth Centre following the Graveside Service. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Lee Cornell Poucette, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.