George Poitras

George Lawrence Poitras, Paskwaw-Mostos-Kapimotet (Walking Buffalo) (1937 – November 7, 2005) was a teacher and later Chief of the Peepeekisis Cree Nation.

Early years and education George Poitras was born to parents, Enoch and Martha (Brass) Poitras, in 1937 In his early life he was a member of the Peepeekisis Band, the File Hills Reserve

He attended Lebret Industrial School also known as Qu'Appelle Indian Residential School (Q.I.R.S.) located on the outskirts of Lebret, Saskatchewan, for 12 years, including when it later opened as St. Paul's High School in 1948. He received his grade 12 diploma in June 1957.

Sports Sports were a very important method of assimilation at the residential schools and Lebret, for one, "developed outstanding athletic programs" and athletes. George Poitras (in 1957) was one of four students from the school who received the Tom Longboat Award established by Indian Affairs and the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada. Arthur Obey (in 1951 and 1960), Gerald Starr (1954), and Herbert Strongeagle (1953) were the other three. Sports and games were used by students to endure their institutionalization.

Zeman, et al. report that the first native high school and sports were introduced in 1948 by Father Paul Piechet. In contrast, Sister Marcoux reports that Mr. Ed Doll started building the juvenile hockey team in 1946. aka Q.V.H.A Champions. See photo of winning team and article that notes Poitras is a "second year" man at this time. Junior "B" Atholl Murray Trophy as Junior "B" Champions in 1954–55 with Poitras playing "defense" and Gerald Starr in goal (entered Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association for first time), ), 1957–58, 1958–59. See photo of 1955(?) team on page 42 of Sister Marcoux,

Career Identified as attending Teachers College at Moose Jaw when he was announced a Tom Longboat winner. He taught for thirteen years at various Indian schools in Saskatchewan. at the newly named White Calf Collegiate. Additionally, he helped develop an agri-energy business that produced ethanol and ethanol byproducts.

In November 1981 Chief George Poitras was identified as being a member of the Board for the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College.

He was also a witness called before the Sub-Committee and Special Committee on Indian Self-Government in Saskatoon, March 1, 2, and 3, 1983 for the Penner Report, aka Indian Self Government in Canada: Report of the Special Committee on Indian Self-Government.

His eulogy would state that "George dedicated his lifetime to the development of Indian people on Peepeekisis and in Saskatchewan." and have held at least one all native, George Poitras Memorial Hockey Tournament in 2007 (March 30 to April 1) and plan three more, annually.

The Treaty Law School was created in honour of George Poitras: "The legacy of the late George Poitras of Peepeekisis in the Treaty Four Territory includes Indian Treaty Advocacy and enforcement. His Indian Residential School Education Credits were used to initiate the school in 2015."

His daughter, Evelyn Poitras produced "Buffalo: A Memorial", a telling of the experience of her father at the Qu'Appelle Indian Residential School in Lebret, Saskatchewan, put into the context of other stories of healing and reconciliation." and was awarded the trophy in the St. Paul's Indian School Gym on November 22, 1957 (photo available p. 8).

Member of "two hockey teams inducted into the Indian Head Sports Hall of Fame, the Standing Buffalo Sioux Indians from Standing Buffalo First Nation and the Balcarres Broncs."