'We all loved her': Poplar River First Nation grieves death of recently elected Chief Tanya Bittern

Family members and people in Poplar River First Nation are remembering the community's newly elected chief, who died just four days after being elected.

Chief Tanya Bittern, who was a councillor for the community before becoming chief, died following a medical issue on Nov. 2 after being airlifted to Winnipeg from Poplar River a day earlier, according to family.

"That was kind of a shocker because she was still fine and healthy on Thursday when she came to work," said Bittern's uncle Ed Hudson, who recently served with her as a band councillor.

Bittern was supposed to start her term as chief on Nov. 4, according to Hudson. 

"She was very excited and looking forward to starting to work as the chief," he said. "I was also looking forward to her leadership."

Poplar River, a remote fly-in First Nation located approximately 350 kilometres north of Winnipeg, is home to approximately 1,200 people.

Vera Mitchell, the community's longtime chief, did not seek re-election this fall, and Bittern won an election held on Oct. 29. 

Mitchell said she's known Bittern since she was a child. They also worked together on council.

"I always kind of took her under my wing," Mitchell said. "I looked after her, mentored her." 

They were supposed to talk on Nov. 3, before Bittern officially took over as chief, but they never got the chance.

Mitchell did send her an email congratulating Bittern on becoming her successor.

"I was really proud of her because she's very community-oriented and she's a very good people person," Mitchell said. "She had patience and she was honest and always looked out for everybody."

Coun. Darcy Bruce is serving as acting chief until next steps are decided on, Mitchell says.

Right now the focus in the community is on honouring Bittern.

"She was always a very trusting person, loving person — helpful and she was always jolly and jubilant and happy," Hudson said. "We all loved her."

Hudson said a sacred fire was lit in Poplar River for Bittern the day she died, and a community feast was held on Wednesday.

While she was known in the community for her leadership, Hudson said being a mother and grandmother were both very important to Bittern.

"She really loved that and enjoyed her grandchildren very much. Her grandchildren also loved her very much."

In a statement from its board of directors, the Southeast Resource Development Council which provides programs and services to eight First Nations in southeast Manitoba including Poplar River, called Bittern's death an "immense loss" for both Poplar River and the tribal council as a whole.

"Tanya's devotion to children and families will leave a lasting impact, and her absence will be deeply felt in these areas that are vital to our First Nations communities," the statement reads.

It noted she served on the boards of Shawenim Abinoojii — the home placement service for Southeast Child and Family Services — and Southeast Collegiate, "where her commitment and vision were invaluable."

The development council's board of directors also remembered Bittern as a committed parent, aunt and grandparent. 

"She had proudly shared the news of her grandchild's welcome to this world," they said.

Bittern also served for more than 10 years as director of Poplar River's Head Start Program, which supports parents and their children through outreach services such as a meal program.

While serving as councillor, some of her responsibilities included overseeing education and Child and Family Services in the community.

"In First Nations communities, women's strengths are essential to our leadership. Her laughter, kindness, and compassion for our people will not be forgotten," the development council's board of directors said.

"Tanya's unwavering commitment to leading our community organizations built our anticipation of her vision as newly elected chief of Poplar River First Nation. We grieve the loss of our beloved chief and honour the ideas she held for our future."

In a post on Facebook, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs extended prayers and condolences to family, friends and everyone in Poplar River.

"This loss is profoundly felt across our nations, reminding us that when one nation grieves, we all share in that sorrow," the AMC post reads.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Poplar River during this difficult time. May Chief Bittern's memory be a source of comfort and strength, and may her legacy continue to guide and inspire us all."

In a separate statement, Betsy Kennedy, AMC's acting grand chief, said the organization stands with Poplar River as the community mourns the loss.

"The community has lost a beautiful matriarch who had committed herself to continuing her strong and impactful leadership journey by running for chief," Kennedy said.

"Her positive influence on her community was felt by the various roles she took on in her nation over the last several years, and she will be deeply missed by all those who called her a colleague, friend, mother, grandmother, sister and partner. We stand in solidarity with all her loved ones and community members."