Relatives of Rifleman Joe Poucette of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles were on hand to pay their respects to a man who is considered a hero in the Stoney community. At 19 years of age, Poucette enlisted in the army. Like many young men and women, he wanted to fight for his country. Although others enlisted, he was the only Stoney man to serve in the Second World War.
He enlisted at a time when the Axis powers were still a significant threat. That he would return to see his family was not guaranteed but he bravely followed his heart. Poucette was killed in action Aug. 15, 1944.
Each year, Poucette’s relatives honor his sacrifice and contribution to the war effort. A grandson by Stoney tradition, Kenny Hunter acknowledges that his family was and continues to be “very proud” of this warrior. A metallic statue stands atop Eagle Hill in Morley, depicting the image of a warrior on his way to battle. The statue represents Rifleman Poucette who was honored by the Stoney people in a traditional dance and ceremony before he went off to fight in the war. He left the Stoney community, held in high esteem by Elders, leaders, and community members. In death, his memory remains.
People like Hunter and Poucette’s niece, Tina Fox work to keep his legend alive. Each year, Hunter arranges Remembrance Day activities while Fox speaks at schools where she is invited. This year, the Poucette family joined the people of Cochrane at their Remembrance Day ceremony where Poucette’s eldest nieces laid a wreath at the cenotaph. Afterwards, the family gathered at the Prairie Smoke Restaurant for a luncheon. Finally, family members lay wreaths at the headstone representing his memory at the Wesley Cemetery in Morley. Poucette’s body was interred at the Brette-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in France.
As a child, Poucette attended the Morley Indian Residential School. This is reflected in his penmanship in letters to his family. In a letter to his brother Noah Poucette written June 28, 1944, Poucette asks about his family and his girlfriend, Kay.
The people who knew him are no longer with us. His brother, the late Felix Poucette and his sister, the late Cora House passed away in last two decades. In 2014, his cousin Lucy Poucette passed away at 96 years of age.
The people that remain were children when he went off to war and so do not have memories of him.
However, his legend continues because he represented courage, bravery and honor. He died not only fighting for his country but also for his people. He showed people that although he was “Indian” and therefore considered inferior by general society that he was equal to all others; that he was a true warrior.
Rifleman Joe Poucette remains a true hero as are all veterans of that particular war. It was a war that saw German U-boats enter the St. Lawrence and brought the world to a standstill. If not for the sacrifice of courageous soldiers and the tenacity of people fighting for freedom, we would not be here. We are forever indebted to these heroes, and to all who have the courage to serve. Lest we forget.
