01-132: The Late Louson Moostos

 By Lee J. Phillips, 1973In Centennial year 1967, the Department of Indian Affairs moved the remains of Louson Moostos and his wife Nanath Moostos from their graves twenty miles south of Enilda to new graves in the Sucker Creek Cemetery, where they are marked by impressive tombstones.

Services were conducted in the Catholic Church by High Dignitaries of the Church, and at the graveside were a number of Indian Chiefs. Some of these were, Chief Ermineskin and Chief Samson from the Hobbema Reserve, Chief Peter Burnstick of the Stoney Indians, Chief August Chalifoux from East of Edmonton, and Chief Xavier Willier of Sucker Creek Reserve. The Department of Indian Affairs was represented by a number of officials, and a number of the R.C.M.P. were present in Red dress uniforms. Several members of Parliament and the Mayors from a number of towns along with many noted visitors took part in the activities.

This was a very impressive and hallowed occasion to honor a great Statesman. Louson Moostos was a Councillor and signed Treaty #8 in 1898 for the Sucker Creek Indian Band. It is recorded that he was one of the chief spokesmen for the Indian Tribes.

He was well respected by all who knew him, and his Indian Brethren had great faith in his judgment and decisions. Many still living on the Sucker Creek Reserve remember them well.

Louson Mootos died in 1919, as did his wife Nanath, from the flu.

 

The Epitaph on their Tombstone reads: Louson Moostos1844-1919Gone but not forgotten and on his wife’s grave beside him Nanath Moostos1848-1919Loved by all who knew her.