82-year-old Kehewin Elder ties the knot for the first time

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Francis Jebeaux, an 82-year-old resident of the Kehewin Reserve, was an eligible bachelor until he shared his vows of matrimony with his love of seven years, Georgina Seawaposum, of the Whitefish Lake Band in Saskatchewan on April 25.

In a reception held in Kehewin Church hall, Francis' nephew Norbert Jebeaux expressed his happiness for the couple and explained to the guests that this is the first time his uncle has married in his 82 years. He added that this is another lesson in life that our Elders are teaching us, with all the people who are living common-law, that when two people love each other they should get married.

Chief Gordon Gadwa said it is wonderful that these two married and wished them all the best. Gadwa also talked about some of the problems they had in wanting to have a traditional marriage, especially for these two, as Elders.

"After the ceremony we wanted to shoot shot guns from the back of a horse-driven wagon but now there is a law against that," said Gadwa.

They also wanted to get married in the old chapel on the reserve but because of problems with getting the birth and baptismal certificates this would of held things back even longer. So when the couple went to Gadwa and the band council and asked to be married at the band office, they all approved of it.

After being a bachelor for such a long time, Francis said he feels "great." He also said they have been living together for the past seven years and that he wanted to get married properly, and do it before he met his maker.

The chief and council supplied a feast for the couple as a wedding present. Also for a wedding present, Norbert and his wife sang an Indian love song.