Sarazine Bebe Ratt
Northern Saskatchewan remembers 104-year-old Elder
Written by mbcnews
Monday, 12 September 2016
Sarazine Bebe Ratt passed at 104. Photo courtesy Mary Ruelling, Facebook
People from all over English River First Nation are sharing their memories of a 104-year-old Elder who died last week.
Sarazine Bebe Ratt was also known as Kokum Bebe, and was still living independently after more than a century. The wake and funeral for her was held in Patuanak on the weekend.
Her daughter-in-law Martha Aubichon says when her husband Velmore visited Ratt two weeks ago, Ratt's strength was still surprising them.
"We always check up on her, always. In the morning (Velmore) went down there and came back and said 'you won't believe what my mom is doing, she's washing clothes,’ and I said ‘what?’ Like you know, she doesn't want someone to help her, she likes to do things on her own. That was the type of person she was,” Martha said.
Ratt was the longest-living elder from English River First Nation and in June she was blowing out candles for her birthday at Patuanak's Treaty Day.
Soon after, Ratt was wished a belated happy birthday on a national scale when MP Georgina Jolibois spoke in Ottawa's House of Commons.
“Mrs. Ratt sends us a very simple but noteworthy message: ‘live in harmony with one another,’” Jolibois said.
Ratt was more than just well-known, she was integral to the community, Martha said. Ratt welcomed new RCMP officers to the community, spoke at English River First Nation public meetings, acted as a midwife and was a language teacher.
Ratt knew four languages - Dene, Cree, French, and English – and also knew Dene syllabics.
People from all over English River First Nation are sharing their memories of a 104-year-old Elder who died last week.
Sarazine Bebe Ratt was also known as Kokum Bebe, and was still living independently after more than a century. The wake and funeral for her was held in Patuanak on the weekend.
Her daughter-in-law Martha Aubichon says when her husband Velmore visited Ratt two weeks ago, Ratt's strength was still surprising them.
"We always check up on her, always. In the morning (Velmore) went down there and came back and said 'you won't believe what my mom is doing, she's washing clothes,’ and I said ‘what?’ Like you know, she doesn't want someone to help her, she likes to do things on her own. That was the type of person she was,” Martha said.
Ratt was the longest-living elder from English River First Nation and in June she was blowing out candles for her birthday at Patuanak's Treaty Day.
Soon after, Ratt was wished a belated happy birthday on a national scale when MP Georgina Jolibois spoke in Ottawa's House of Commons.
“Mrs. Ratt sends us a very simple but noteworthy message: ‘live in harmony with one another,’” Jolibois said.
Ratt was more than just well-known, she was integral to the community, Martha said. Ratt welcomed new RCMP officers to the community, spoke at English River First Nation public meetings, acted as a midwife and was a language teacher.
Ratt knew four languages - Dene, Cree, French, and English – and also knew Dene syllabics.
Sarazine Bebe Ratt looking over a document from 1883. Photo courtesy Mary Aubichon, Facebook.
"She was a dictionary; she is our dictionary here culture-wise. If someone needs something that needs to be translated she is the one," Martha said.
Martha knew Ratt for “only 40 years,” and the first day they met Martha was struck by how neat she was. Over the years Martha learned about Ratt’s strong faith, kindness, and unmatched love for her four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
“Her grandkids were her heartbeat,” Martha said.
Even after a century, Ratt was using her beading skills to craft moccasins and other items.
“If I had to have her beadwork in my house here, it would be full,” Martha said.
Community leaders like Pinehouse mayor Mike Natomagan and Lac La Ronge Chief Tammy Cook-Searson have sent out their condolences to the family.
Martha said the people of Patuanak were a huge help during Ratt’s last days.
“The whole community was involved,” she said.
She thanked the community for lifting them up during this tough time.
"She was a dictionary; she is our dictionary here culture-wise. If someone needs something that needs to be translated she is the one," Martha said.
Martha knew Ratt for “only 40 years,” and the first day they met Martha was struck by how neat she was. Over the years Martha learned about Ratt’s strong faith, kindness, and unmatched love for her four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
“Her grandkids were her heartbeat,” Martha said.
Even after a century, Ratt was using her beading skills to craft moccasins and other items.
“If I had to have her beadwork in my house here, it would be full,” Martha said.
Community leaders like Pinehouse mayor Mike Natomagan and Lac La Ronge Chief Tammy Cook-Searson have sent out their condolences to the family.
Martha said the people of Patuanak were a huge help during Ratt’s last days.
“The whole community was involved,” she said.
She thanked the community for lifting them up during this tough time.
