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Well done, Christopher J.C.!! All our love to Lani and the Family!
It has been a year ago today, and I still think of Chris every day.  He had a substantial positive impact on me personally and professionally, and on the lives of countless others. His memory will always be a blessing.

I was sharing stories of my memories on  Christmas, and my old  Aborginal CourtWorker program boss was one one that stood out.   Chris was a wonderful boss, and shared his beautiful family with us - singing & performing.  I wanted  to show my daughter's who he was and see if any of their children popped up. Now  I was saddened to see that he had passed over : my condolences to the family.  I've seen him come out into our community,  when we lost our elder George and he attended the  service.   Condolences, on your huge loss.  Thank you Chris for being genuine and  caring.  

Juanita McArthur-BigEagle 

My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Chris Lafontaine. I got to know Chris in the context of his work with Ted Quewezance and Keeseekoose First Nation. Chris was passionate about survivors or residential schools being given a voice, and driving the process of what he terms real conciliation. He and Ted had done a very extensive consultation with survivors, which gave them a clear sense of what their priorities were, and where the felt there were obstacles needing to be surmounted. 3 years ago, we invited Chris to a meeting with the bishops of Western and Northern Canada, and his thoughtful and informative presentation helped contribute to steps the bishops took. When Pope Francis was preparing to come to Canada to offer an apology, Chris, Ted and I met and they shared what they felt Indigenous Peoples needed to hear in words of apology. Chris joined Ted in coming to Maskwacis and worked with Ted in the speech he gave to all those gathered just prior to the arrival of Pope Francis.

Over the 4 or 5 years where I had the chance to work with Chris, he would periodically text or phone to check in. His suggestions were never driven by ill motives, but always by a desire to assist the Catholic Church in taking steps that move relations forward. He had what seemed like an endless stream of good suggestions, and while we struggled with initiative overload, Chris remained positive and encouraging.

The last project that I had the chance to work on with Chris involved collaboration with a medical team in bringing diabetes testing to remote Indigenous communities in Argentina, as they had done for Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan. It was a creative project bringing together Indigenous Peoples, medical experts and the Church in both Canada and Argentina, and forms a part of the significant legacy that Chris has left us. His sudden passing left everyone working on this project in shock, deeply saddened, and struggling to maintain the momentum that Chris was able to generate.

On behalf of the Catholic Church, I would like to express enormous gratitude for our work with Chris, and deep sorry at his death. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
-Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina
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This is truly heartbreaking news. My deepest sympathies to your wife, kids, and grandchildren. You were my mom's favorite cousin, and she looked up to you in so many ways. I only wish I had reached out sooner to learn more about our family history and stories.

You were a true trailblazer in the Métis and Indigenous community—breaking cycles, overcoming barriers, and creating a legacy of truth. Your love for your church, family, and culture shone so brightly, leaving an impact that will be felt for generations.

Thank you for the wisdom and guidance you shared, especially in helping my mom with homeschooling and supporting learning disabilities like dyslexia. In your honor, I hope to continue learning about our family history and work towards getting my Métis card to recognize the genealogy you worked so hard to preserve.

Your legacy lives on, and you will always be remembered with love and gratitude.

---

Our condolences go out to the Lafontaine family. Chris had a huge impact on the Aboriginal Court Worker program and his legacy continues to influence the program to advocate for Indigenous people before criminal and family courts.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Chris lived a life of purpose and impact. Having worked closely with him for over 20 years on many projects, my respect and admiration for this man cannot be overstated. He was someone with a unique talent of bringing people together for a common purpose. He was a true visionary who contributed greatly to important work to improve the lives of others. His legacy will live on through his incredible family and all of us who were blessed to have known and loved him. He was a truly remarkable human being who gave so much in the time he was here. Rest well, dear friend. 💜
One of the kindest men in our Wascana ward when I first joined the church. I will never forget how kind & gentle he was . He is doing wonderful things in Heaven, I’m sure! 
It was with regret and sadness that I heard that our friend and co-worker Chris Lafontaine had passed away on January 9, 2025. Chris and I had worked closely on the Saskatchewan First Nations community-based healthcare improvement project for the past three years. Word of that unique project for healthcare improvement made its way to the rural communities of the province of Jujuy in Argentina, prompting Indigenous leader Rene Calpanchay to phone me to ask if we could replicate the model that Chris and his community members had developed. Undeterred by the distance from Canada to Argentina and by our lack of Spanish Language, Chris encouraged me to help lead the project in Jujuy. Then he supported the growing Jujuy team in numerous ways, using his Indigenous point of view and advanced business principles. We will miss you greatly, Chris, as we go forward to the betterment of your communities in Canada and Pueblos Originales in Argentina. Signed in profound sadness, Clayton L Reynolds
Condolences to family and friends and may Chris rest in peace.
Awe sad news!! I had the pleasure of watching him & his beautiful family as I was growing up! In some ways this inspired me to become a performer!! Mr Lafontaine you left quite a legacy!! ❤️🙏🏽❤️. My condolences and prayers with his family and many friends 🙏🏽
Your beautiful and precious family is in our thoughts and prayers, much love to you all at this time! We will miss Brother Lafontaine as a sealer in the Temple as we really appreciated his calm and peaceful manner and felt his strong testimony and love for the Savior, whenever we were a part of one of his sealing sessions. Our sincere condolences.
Our condolences on the loss of your husband , father and grandfather. Chris was an amazing man with an amazing family. 
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Chris was a great educator; always willing to share his wealth of knowledge.  Always had a smile.  A great man.  Sending  my condolences to his family.  
I was saddened to read thru an email that Chris passed!  He always spoke fondly  of his family!  He will be greatly missed by all those that knew and loved him!  On behalf of our Kehler family we extend our sincere condolences 
We were shocked and really sad when we heard the news of Brother Christopher's passing. You and your family have our deepest condolences. We will pray for your healing and comfort. We Love you and your family.  Love Jane and Darryl Berg.
Our sincere condolences to your family , Chris was a good friend for alex and myself beginning in the early seventies, we worked with Chris within The Metis Society. Much love to his family, will be sadly missed but not forgotten.  Sincerely Eileen and Alex McDougall

Our sincere condolences to your family he was a good friend and will be sadly missed

Roland & Brenda Crowe

Chris was a wonderful individual who was caring, full of life and always promoting education. I remember him when I was attending SUNTEP at the Brent building on 11th Avenue and then at GDI when it relocated to Broadway Avenue. I also had the pleasure of teaching their daughter, Kalea, at Dr. Hanna school. He has left his mark and kindness behind for us to follow. I send my sincere condolences and prayers to the entire Lafontaine family. You will be greatly missed Chris. 

I feel sorrow for the Lafontaine family with Chris' passing. I remember him as a man of quiet kindness. He is missed.

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Christopher Lafontaine