Saskatoon Tribal Council grieves the loss of former Tribal Chief Joe Quewezance

Oct 9, 2025

The Saskatoon Tribal Council is grieving the loss of our founder, mentor, and dear friend Joe Quewezance, who passed away on Oct. 6, 2025.

Known to many simply as “Joe Q,” Joseph was a compassionate and respected man in his community of Yellow Quill First Nation, as well as among his STC, SIGA, and AFN family, and the greater community. He was deeply committed to a life of service.

At just 23 years old, Joseph began his leadership journey, driving and interpreting for hereditary and elected Chiefs across east-central Saskatchewan. In 1973, at 32 years old, he was elected Chief of Yellow Quill First Nation — the beginning of a lifetime of service dedicated to helping others. He went on to serve 2 further terms as Chief of Yellow Quill First Nation.

Driven by his vision for unity, progress, and community strength, in 1982 Joseph co-founded the Saskatoon Tribal Council, which began as a two-person operation and has now grown into an organization of over 600 staff, serving more than 30,000 people in Saskatoon and 15,000 members across seven First Nations — thanks to the enduring vision of those who carry his spirit forward in service to the organization and community.

He served in elected positions as District Representative and Tribal Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, from 1982 to 2000, until his first attempt at retirement. In 2005, after much persuasion from fellow Chiefs and Council members, he came out of retirement to run for one final term, driven by a shared commitment to continue strengthening the communities they served. He fulfilled his final term as STC Tribal Chief from 2005 to 2008.

During his time as Chief and later as Tribal Chief, he built foundational partnerships with governments, businesses, and industries — always with one purpose: to create better opportunities for his people.

He dedicated much of his life to building bridges, negotiating, and leading with purpose and compassion. He influenced policy, built partnerships, and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of First Nations people across Saskatchewan.

His greatest accomplishments were not written in documents or captured in awards— they live in the lives he touched and in his service to everyone he loved and cared for.

Joseph also had a lifelong love of sports. He was an athlete, a coach, and a mentor who inspired many young people through the spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and perseverance. His years of coaching and the many teams he guided were a great source of joy and pride for him.

In honour of his lifelong commitment to youth and sport, Joseph’s family invites those wishing to pay tribute to consider making a donation in his memory to support North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Team Saskatchewan.

As Joseph makes his final journey home to rest with his loved ones and ancestors, we will continue to honour and be inspired by his spirit, his teachings, and his deeply devoted love.

NT4