Fred Sasakamoose has passed away.
Sasakamoose, who was one of the first indigenous players in the N-H-L, died Tuesday according to his son Neil. The former Chicago forward was 86 years old and had been recently hospitalized with COVID-19. Sasakamoose lived on the Ahathkakoop Cree Nation. He was tested for COVID-19 last Thursday and the test came back positive on Saturday. Sasakamoose was scoreless in 11 games with the Black Hawks in the 1953-54 season but was revered by all First Nations people for a life well lived, and not just because he played hockey, but as a respected elder and leader.
His son Neil Sasakamoose posted a video announcing his father’s passing. He said the COVID virus did so much damage to his father’s lungs, that his body just couldn’t keep up. Neil Sasakamoose also said that his mother and sisters are in lock down and that is the reality of COVID-19. He urged everyone to bide by the public health guidelines, “Listen to your chiefs, listen to your mayors, listen to your premiers. Just listen and comply for a while”.
Referring to a vaccine, Neil Sasakamoose said his father was going to miss it by two months. “If you have any sincerity towards other people, keep quiet about anti masking.” Sasakamoose also said he lost a parent and a grandparent because of stubbornness and silliness. Fred Sasakamoose’s life story is coming out in a book in April entitled “Call Me Indian”.
