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Benjamin Gordon Courtrille, pioneer for many Alberta Native social service organizations passed away Monday, January 15, 1990 at the age of 57.
Before becoming involved with the Native/Metis community Courtrille joined Alcoholics Anonymous on November 6, 1964.
In 1989, he marked his 25th year of sobriety.
In the earliest years of his recovery, Courtrille established a restaurant in the Boyle Street district of Edmonton with Father Mark Barrier.
During this time, the two worked together to develop the Native Brotherhood. Courtrille went on to become the first president of Native Counseling Services of Alberta.
His community involvement was immense.
Courtrille had a 25-year membership with the Canadian Native Friendship Center and was a board member for two years.
In the 1970s, he worked with five alcohol education workers to begin the fight for sobriety among Native people.
In one year, the team conducted 268 education workshops in the Indian and Metis communities.
This hard work lead to the establishment of Nechi Training Center, Poundmakers Lodge and centers like Bonnyville Rehabilitaion Center.
Courtrille became the first director of the Inuvik Alcohol Treatment Center, also known as Hope House and the Round Lake treatment Center in Vernon, BC
He also sat on the board of Native Outreach for a number of years. As well, he was a long time member of the Metis Association of Alberta and served a four-year term as vice-president in Zone 4.
Courtrille leaves behind his loving wife Betty; three sons -- Eugene of Calgary, David of Kamloops, and Peter of Vancouver; four daughters -- Carol of High Prairie, Leona, Lorraine and Verna of Edmonton and fourteen grandchildren.
He also leaves nine sisters and two brothers: Marge Massey, Evelyn Biblock, Joyce Carlson, Mary Vallette, Ruth Better, Alice Kempe, Mary Sandstom, Emily LaRocque, Vi Bellerose, Montrose Cunningham and Doug Cunningham. He also leaves behind many brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces and friends.
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