Sheila James

Canku Waste Akan Mani Winyan

“Walks a Good Road Woman”

Peacefully on Tuesday July 12th, 2022, Surrounded by her family, Sheila James started her journey home at the age of 58 years old, after a brief battle with cancer.

Sheila was born in Portage La Prairie, Mb on December 4, 1963. Sheila grew up in High Bluff and then moved to Edwin in early 90’s with her first partner Jack, whom they had 2 boys together. She then met Karl while attending the University of Winnipeg and they had 4 boys together and adopted another. Sheila loved getting together with her family whom she loved very much. She loved being outdoors in her garden attending to her flowers, travelling, and going to ceremonies. Sheila also loved being at the pow wows and dancing with her granddaughters. She has a lot of collectables, like stamps, dolls, hats, a vast collection of ornaments, she still has all her barbies from when she was a little girl. Sheila was incredibly competitive at everything she did she always had to win even if it was a simple card game against her granddaughters ha-ha!! She was very outspoken, with the most infectious laugh, you could pick her out of a crowd because as soon as you heard her laugh, we knew she was there. She had a very strong work ethic which she passed on to her boys, she loved rock music, and loved hockey with her favourite hockey team being the Edmonton oilers.

Sheila leaves to mourn her passing her partner Karl Stagg of 26 years, Her 7 boys Douglas, Trent (Melanie), Clayton, Ethan, Quinn, Adrian, and Tobias. Her mother Marina James (nee Smoke), brother Colin (Cyndi), her father-in-law Gordon Stagg of Pinaymootang, Manitoba, and all Her grandchildren along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, many adopted kids, brothers, sisters and many, many friends who will all miss her very much.

Sheila is predeceased by her father Douglas James of High Bluff, Manitoba, her mother-in-law Genevive Stagg, of Pinaymootang, Manitoba, her paternal grandparents Jean & Milton James of Oakland, Manitoba and her maternal grandparents Raymond & Victoria Smoke nee Pashe.

The family would like to thank all our extended family, Dakota Wicozoni Health centre, Dakota Tipi DOCFS, Dakota Tipi Education, Dakota Tipi First Nation, the Cancer Care Society, all the cooks, the fire keepers, The Pratt sisters, The drum group, and the gravediggers, as well as all surrounding communities for the on going support for our family at this difficult time and to all the people who stopped by.

Traditional Wake will take place at Dakota Tipi Community Hall on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 4:00 pm.  Traditional Feast and Service will be held at Dakota Tipi Community Hall on Saturday, July 16, 2022 beginning at noon followed by burial at the Old Sioux Village Cemetery.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com