Words from
Metis Citizens
(to add your words please email them)

It is with deep regret and sorrow that I advise you that Marion Larkman passed away last night (Monday, December 18th, 2006) at the hospital in Cobourg. Marion’s long time partner, Paul Elcombe, said Marion died peacefully at 10:20 pm. Widely regarded as the “Grandmother of the Métis Nation”, Marion does not want a funeral and so her wishes will be respected. I plan, however, to discuss with the PCMNO, an appropriate way that the Métis Nation, her Nation, can pay tribute to her at some time in the near future. Marion was born on May 9, 1926 and raised at Burleigh Falls, Ontario. She was a very proud Métis who was a founding member of the Ontario Métis and Non-Status Indian Association in 1971 and the Métis Nation of Ontario in 1993.

- MNO President Tony Belcourt

"I am really at a loss for words right now but I will try. My granny along with Paul raised me for most of my life as you and most of the people with in the Métis Nation know. She was my granny and "granny" to all of my friends, some of which didn't even know her name. Just granny. I want to tell stories about her and our family to all. However for now I just want the people to know that in her last day's she received much love and respect from her huge family and friends taking time to stop by. She was never alone and with Paul by her side everyday for weeks until the end. I remained optimistic because she has always been a fighter and she felt she could fight this "bug" so I supported her in any way I could. On last Friday night I stopped in before I went to work for a visit as usual, she was unresponsive to me. I really started to get scared. The hospital called Saturday night and felt I should come in. I stayed with her right by her side like i had promised. She still remained unresponsive until Sunday morning at 2am when she started to wake up. She started talking and said she must have her days and nights mixed up. We had a wonderful conversation and she was her usual self. We exchanged our words of love and respect for each other and I told her that she was savior and my hero. She stopped me and looked at me and said "no son, your my savior and my hero". Those words mean everything to me and I am so thankfull to have had that special moment with her. Not long this she started to fall asleep but we kissed each other and told her how much I loved her. She fell asleep and never really woke up. On Sunday at 10:20pm with Paul by her side and with her in my arm's she took her last breath and passed away peacefully. At this time I just want people to know that she is the greatest person I had ever known. She was so unselfish doing what ever she could to help and guide people in her life and
wanted nothing in return. Always giving, always laughing, always teaching and always loving those around her.
T hank you."

- Jason Defosse

"Whenever I was around Marion I felt love. She always had a hug for me and then a scowl if something was on her mind that she wanted to talk to me about. She was no nonesense, but with such love and generous spirit, it made everything she did and said to me so powerful. I loved Marion like she was my own Grandmother - in fact she even presided over my marriage, making it seem more official and meaningful. She will continue to be an inspiration and warmth in my heart. I'll miss her laughing with me."

- Shane Belcourt, December 19th, 2006

"It is with great regret to learn of the passing of our Elder Marion Larkman. Throughout my travels in the Métis Homeland, I always looked forward to meeting with Marion. I remember when Tony Belcourt presented me with a guitar in Ontario and I sang a song that I wrote about me & my dad. Marion loved it, and always asked me about the song whenever I met up with her.

The last time I spent with Marion was in Belgium, Europe last fall, October 2005. We travelled there on a spiritual journey to call home the spirits of our aboriginal veterans that fought and died in WWI & WW2. She was so full of life there, and had so many stories to share.

Marion will be missed dearly by all Métis throughout the Country and those throughout the world that she met. May the creator welcome her with open arms, as I know that she will continue her work for our Métis Nation from up above.

On behalf of the Métis Nation of Alberta, I send our regrets and condolences to Marion's family and the citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario."

Sincerely, Trevor Gladue, Provincial Vice President
Métis Nation of Alberta

"I can't express the heaviness that is in my heart for the loss our Nation is enduring with the passing of our Senator Larkman. I was fortunate to have Marion as part of my life for approximately 13 years now and I can't imagine AGA's without her laughter, spunk and advise. Senator Larkman will forever be woven into the fabric of our Nation with her contributions like each thread is woven through the Metis Sash that she wore so proudly!!! I will remember you with great fondness, a tear of longing and a strong sense of gratitude for all you have given to the Metis Nation so that our children and future generations will have life easier then the generation before.

Paul, you know where to find me. My sympathy to Marion & Paul's families and to the rest of the Nation! I will miss you Marion and love you always!!!"

Bonny Cann

"Although Marion may have been ready to move on to the spirit world, and I believe she truly was, those of us left behind have had our lives enriched having known her, no matter to what extent that might have been.

Marion was very much a part of my life, always reminding me of who I am and that I had a job to do in working for our people by providing encouragement, guidence, wisdom, support, love and yes even repremand when required.

For approximately 10 years, Marion was the Senator for the Metis Women's Council, a role in which she took very seriously and ensured that we stayed on track with our mandate.

On a personal level Marion was available at anytime I needed her even after I left my political position at the MNO. Marion and Uncle Paul travelled all the way to Midland for my naming ceremony, Paul to take on the role of my Uncle and Marion to fill in for Tony when he was not able to be there. I knew then that Marion wasn't feeling well but she understood how important that ceremony was too me and as she always did she put other peoples needs before her own.

I'd like to share what I call a very special "Marion moment" with everyone. We were boarding a plane for a PCMNO meeting out west and Marion was going through security, they stopped her on the other side and asked her if they could look in her purse. Marion scowled at them but gave her consent. They found a little jackknife in her purse and told her they couldn't let her board the plane with the knife. She was so mad! Marion told them that they could keep the knife but it would be on their conscience that she would not be able to eat an apple until she got to Alberta and could buy another one!

If there is one teaching that stands out for me that I learned from Grandmother Marion it would be this; no matter what level we work, from MNC to PCMNO, Community Council, front line workers to volunteers in the community, it is never about individuals, it is about what an honour and a privilage it is to do the work of our people...that is what makes us a Nation of People.

Grandmother Marion will continue to watch over us from the Spirit world."

Sharon Reynolds, Past PCMNO Women's Rep and Past President of the Women of the Metis Nation

Marion Larkman was one proud lady, we will all miss her dearly. I had a short visit with her last week and brought her a Christmas plant from the community, she was tired but I told her we missed her at the Alderville Remembrance Day Service but we understood, she was a very proud veteran. One little story about Marion, I once had a pig roast and was tempting to carve it up and Marion pulled out her own carving set out and told me to step aside because I didn't have a clue what I was doing and boy she had that pig carved up in minutes, I still chuckle thinking about that one. Miigwetch Marion for being a good friend.

Chief James R Marsden
Alderville First Nation

Although I am not Metis, I would like to send my condolences to the entire Larkman family. Marion was a special person to many people.For the past thirty two years Marion has been a part of my life and I'm glad to have known her. She was one of the most down to earth people I've ever met. Marion was a dedicated mother, grandmother and great grandmother.She was also my father's life partner and soul mate. I know he will miss her deeply.

To me, Marion was always a friend. never once through the years did she push herself on me. She let our relationship evolve slowly and naturally. To my son, she was grandma, his favorite one.

Four years ago I lost my husband to lukemia. Marion told me I should not be sad because he had gone to a better place and his suffering was over. She also gave me this framed poem to comfort me:

Do not stand at my grave and weep:

I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the softly fallen snow;
I am the gentle showers of rain.
I am the field of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the grateful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight.
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom.
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing.
I am in each lovely thing.
So do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.
I did not die.

I know Marion will be missed greatly by friends, family and anyone who ever had the opportunity to get to know her but I don't believe she would want us to weep. In respect of that I will remember Marion with the memories of our years together. I'll remember her as a vibrant, caring person, a person who always made time to help others. I'll rememberher as an outspoken person willing to stand up for what she believed in. Her work over the years with the "Nation" is her legacy. She will not soon be forgotten. Marion made a difference in the lives of anyone she touched. I know we will all miss her but she will remain forever in our hearts and minds.

- Pam Dunford (nee Elcombe)

I can not begin to say everything I want to say about Marion as there is not enough room on a website, in a newspaper or in a book to print it all.

Marion, raised in a tent with a mud floor (summer and winter), rose to sleep in the finest hotels in Canada and abroad.In early years, she hunted , trapped and fished for food; rose to dine with governer generals, prime ministers, premiers (all ten in one sitting) and was invited to dine with several cabinet ministers.

Self educated by correspondance courses, Marion was called to sit on the university board at Trent University and invited to many aboriginal meetings for her knowledge.

At this time I would like to thank the many people, too numerous to name, those who sent cards and letters, their love and prayers and those who visited in the hospital or at home.I'd also like to thank the nurses, the doctors and the homecare workers who tended to her every need the past two months.My thanks go out as well to those who put messages on the web, the president and PCMNO for assisting her to attend and perform her favorite and final duty for the "Nation", the opening prayer (in Queen's Park on November 16, 2006)in her own tongue.Thank you to the hundreds of people that stood to cheer as she entered the room to do that prayer. I would like to thank her large family for all their support. Thanks as well to the "Nations" and all the aboriginal organizations that called for her sevices and allowed me to go with her, by plane, train, bus or car over the past thirty two years. These trips added up to over one million miles of travelling together.

There are three trips that stand out in my mind that I was not able to go with her but on which my heart and thoughts were always with her and those are as follows:

1. Out west when she received her Queens Jubilee Medal
2. The "Calling Home" ceremony to Belgium and France
3.The journey December 18, 2006 at 10:20 pm

I could not go with her but my heart will be with her forever!

- Paul

Although I only met Marion once and saw her several times at different functions I was always awed and inspired by her presence. Most people have no idea what makes a great person. The people that fall into this category usually never speak of themselves but care deeply for others. Marion, we will all miss you, and as a Nation we have a large hole in our collective heart We feel sad when we loose one of our own. Marion was cut from the old cloth and we are slowly loosing the teachers that can pass on traditions and cultures. The old timers like Marion were special because they experienced rough times.They learned to be great leaders and respected elders because of the many, many interesting things she did throughout her lifetime. My condolences to her companion, friends and family. Marion, we will remember you always.

- Jim Turner
Windsor/Essex/Kent community council