STANLEY ALBERT FONTAINE

It is with profound sadness that our family announces the passing of our brother, Father Stanley Albert Fontaine of the Sagkeeng (Fort Alexander) First Nation. After a long, courageous battle with cancer, Stanley passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026 at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg.

Stanley was born on July 8, 1947 to his parents Stanley Ambrose Fontaine and Elizabeth Beatrice Fontaine (nee Guimond). He was the second child in the total of eleven children and he was the eldest son in the family.

Stan leaves behind 6 siblings: sisters Bertha, Irma, Ingrid and Iris; brothers Barry and Derry and many nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives. He was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Elizabeth, his baby sister Maxine (at 9 months), his sister Ann in 1992, his brother Arnold in 2010 and his brother Darrell in 2013.

Stanley was born and raised at the Sagkeeng First Nation. At a very early age, he attended the Fort Alexander Indian residential school. Stanley shared that from a very early age, he felt called to become a priest. In his teen years, he chose to attend the Otterburne seminary in Manitoba, where he graduated high school. During these years, along with his academics, he received instruction to become a Roman Catholic priest. In 1966, after graduation, he left to attend the seminary in Rome, where he continued his studies and instructions to become a priest. Stanley was ordained to the priesthood on Oct. 7th, 1984 for the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan.

Stanley was known for his intelligence and strong academic skills. He achieved a Bachelor of Arts (U of M), a Bachelor of Theology (U of Ottawa) and a Master of Arts (U of Ottawa), all with high academic standing. Stanley then worked with various First Nations organizations, including Sagkeeng First Nation and Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council in Brandon. He worked on Aboriginal governance, program/policy development, government funding and community development. He assisted in writing the Constitution for Sagkeeng First Nation which resulted in the creation of the now existing Sagkeeng Laws. He worked as an advisor and consultant in many organizations including NACM.

Although his work was successful and valuable in these organizations, he said he knew that his calling to minister as a priest was still very strong in him. He returned to the ministry in 2022 for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, ministering to people of the church and helping to promote healing through the “truth and reconciliation” model. He shared that he considered his greatest work and greatest achievement was when he helped people to know and walk with God and to help them in their healing. Stan was known for his integrity, humility, respect, compassion and kindness. He has been called a gentle ‘man of God’. He will be greatly missed by his family & relatives, by his church family at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Indigenous Catholic Parish and by many First Nations communities.

A wake will be held on Wednesday April 22, 2026 from 6:00-9:00 PM, with prayers at 7PM. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday April 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM. Both services will be held at St. Kateri Tekawitha Indigenous Catholic Parish located at 265 Flora Avenue. Burial will follow at the Assumption Cemetery 3990 Portage Avenue.