An active and distinguished member of the local First Nation community in the Battlefords has passed away.
Harold Greyeyes died Jan. 31 at the age of 86. He leaves behind his wife Estelle and his family. A farewell wake was held Wednesday in North Battleford.
Greyeyes had a long history of active involvement, but his biggest contribution was in agriculture.
He was born on Muskeg Lake reserve in 1929 and started in agriculture at an early age, working on the family farm in the area. Later, he also worked in the lumber industry in British Columbia. He moved to North Battleford in the mid-1970s.
His lasting legacy in agricultural was his work as an educator and a communicator, particularly in promoting better agricultural practices to those on reserves.
For 22 years he worked for the Saskatchewan Indian Agricultural Program as an assistant extension agrologist, and earned two farm management certificates and an artificial insemination technician certificate from the University of Saskatchewan during that time.
He developed a number of agriculture workshops and courses aimed at First Nation farmers and earned a reputation as a tireless promoter of First Nation agriculture in the region.
Greyeyes was also active in the media. He wrote a column for the Battleford Telegraph and also for the First Nation Free Press. For a time he also did a Cree agriculture broadcast on radio.
From 1975 on, Greyeyes was a member of Rotary and was the first treaty person to serve as president of the local club. He was named a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow in 1985 and later served as district governor.
Greyeyes was also part of a citizens advisory committee with the RCMP, was a director with the Saskatchewan Agriculture Food Council, was active with the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation and was also a director with the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce for a decade. He has also been involved with the Battlefords Indian and Métis Friendship Centre.
He was an avid golfer and was North American Golf Champ (seniors) in 1980, 1981, and 1982.
In 1992 Greyeyes was named to the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame.
