Persona

Venne, Georgina (Lafond)

July 3, 1930 -

Georgina (nee Lafond) Venne was born on July 3, 1930, at home on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan. Georgina is one of twelve children born to August and Rose (nee Moreau) Lafond. Georgina spent her early years at home with her parents. In 1938, she was sent to St. Michael's Indian Residential School in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. Georgina's mother was a Métis woman and the family was fluent in the language of michif and while at the residential school the nuns would not speak French in front of the Lafond children. Georgina stayed at St. Michael's Residential School until 1946. After leaving residential school, Georgina returned to Muskeg Lake to help her mother at home. In April of 1948 Georgina moved to Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta to work as a domestic. Georgina returned to Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in September of the same year. Georgina married Emile Venne (a veteran of the Second World War) on October 4, 1948. Georgina and Emile had ten children (Annabelle Jean 1950, Marvin Bernard 1951, Emil Rodney 1953, Albert 1955, Kerry Dale 1958, Perry 1962-1969, Darcy Wayne 1963, Colleen Rose 1966, Shane Lee 1970 and Debra Marie in 1976). Emile and Georgina ran a small family farm on the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in the early years of their marriage. Emile was elected Chief of Muskeg Lake in 1956 and served until 1958. In 1961, Emile accepted a job as a farm instructor for The Department of Indian Affairs. Due to the nature of his job, Emile and his family resided in various Saskatchewan communities including: Fishing Lake First Nation, Big River First Nation and Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation. The Vennes settled in Saskatoon in 1970. Emile retired from Indian Affairs in 1983. Georgina was widowed January 8, 1999 after 50 years of marriage.

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