Tony Cote

Tony Cote (born Antoine Cote; 1935–July 31, 2019) was the first elected Chief of the Cote First Nations and creator of the Saskatchewan First Nations Summer and Winter Games. Born on the Cote Reserve in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Cote was known for his philanthropy for First Nations people in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Cote also served as a bombardier with the 81st Field Regiment in the Royal Canadian Artillery from 1952 to 1958.

Personal life Born on the Cote Reserve in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, in 1935, Cote was the youngest child of Frank and Ellen Cote and great-grandson of Chief Gabriel Cote, a spokesman for the Saulteaux communities during the signing of Treaty 4. After enduring the residential school system in Saskatchewan - having attended St. Phillips Residential School - Cote joined the Canadian Army in 1952 at the age of 17. In 1953 Cote married his wife, Sadie Friday, and they went on to parent seven children together. Cote spent nearly six years as a bombardier in the 81st Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery, served 14 months fighting in the Korean War, and was released from service in 1958 with a UN Korea Special Services Medal.

Cote died on July 31, 2019, at the age of 84.

Cote is also responsible for creating, managing, and coaching a number of First Nations sports teams. After the opening of the Cote Recreational Complex, Cote established and acted as president of the first all-Native Junior "B" hockey team in Saskatchewan. Cote followed this by creating and managing the "Wagonburners" - Saskatchewan's first all-Native Old-timers hockey team - who won the Saskatchewan East Division in 1977. The Summer and Winter editions of the Tony Cote Games run in opposite years of one another and feature biennially, including teams from both Saskatchewan and Alberta. In 2008, Cote was awarded with the Saskatchewan Order of Merit for "recognition of excellence, achievement and contributions to the social, cultural and economic well-being of the province and its residents". Additionally, Cote was inducted to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on June 18, 2011.