SASKATOON — Fr. André Poilievre’s impact in the community was evident on Tuesday, July 15, when an estimated 500 people packed into the Gordie Howe Sports Centre to join his family in a celebration of the life of the tireless prelate, who passed away on July 2. He was 88.
The memorial service was heartfelt and solemn, with church music and Indigenous songs filling the banquet hall. Despite grieving, there were lighthearted moments as speakers shared stories and anecdotes about their experiences with Poilievre.
Poilievre co-founded STR8 UP with Stan Tu'Inukafe in 2002 to help at-risk youth and active gang members in prison and on the streets on how to leave their old lives behind, after two young men approached him.
His response, according to the STR8 UP website, was honest, short and straightforward: “I don’t know, but we will figure it out together.” From that day, Poilievre helped those who wanted to get out of gang life and overcome their addictions and mental health issues.
Poilievre said that working with those who feel hopeless and unwanted, mainly when he served as the chaplain at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre in 1995, was the answer he was looking for 10 years into his priestly ministry, after being ordained in 1962. He said he wanted to be the Good Shepherd, like Jesus, and try to find those who are lost.
Daniel Poilievre, one of his nephews from his older brother Harve, also recalled when his uncle was the pastor at St. Michael’s Parish in Saskatoon from 1972 to 1978, where one day an Indigenous person knocked on the door and said: “I was told, if I knock, I could get some help.”
“Uncle Andy said, ‘Yeah, okay, come on in.’ I guess this guy was there for a couple of hours, and many cups of coffee later. I don't know if Uncle Andy was able to help him. He never elaborated on that story, but what he said was: ‘With all my searching, I forgot to look at my backyard for people that needed help.’ That statement stuck with me.”
Tu'Inukafe, who has worked with Poilievre for over 20 years, said that, despite grieving the loss of his friend, he is thankful for the help he received, which has profoundly shaped his life and that of others.
“Preparing what I wanted to share with you all today has been very difficult for me, because I begin to put into words what someone like Fr. André has meant to me. What made Fr. André special wasn't how much he gave, but how he gave,” said Tu'Inukafe, holding back the tears.
“He took time for people. He made time for people. He made time for me, without hesitation, no matter how busy he was. He made space for me, even when I didn't know I needed it. On my hardest days, he didn't try to fix everything. He showed up.”
He added that Poilievre always offers encouragement without expectations, never judges, but instead listens to you with patience and care. And despite not always coming up with solutions, he has shown compassion and reminds those, like him, that they are not alone.
“He gave quietly, consistently, and wholeheartedly. His support never came with conditions. He didn't see titles, roles, or mistakes. He saw people. He saw me. And I know I'm not the only one who experienced this kind of generosity from him,” he said.
STR8 UP Program Manager Chantel Huel, who joined the non-profit organization in 2012, said she represented the hundreds of individuals whose lives Poilievre helped transform by showing them love and support.
She shared the story when Poilievre took her to an STR8 UP presentation for the first time and put her in front of a crowd of about 1,600 to speak about the programs, services, and support they offer to those who want to leave gang life.
“He said, ‘Sink or swim,’ and that's what I feel like right now. I can hear him laughing at me. I'm either going to do this or I'm going to drown,” said Huel, earning a gentle laughter from the crowd. “Woven into the lives of countless members whom Andre has impacted are phrases and quotes we carry close to our hearts.”
“Not only do we carry these words of transformation, they ripple into our communities and our families, so we can leave his imprint everywhere and spread the love that he gave to all of us when we were in dark spaces and we felt unlovable. Andre spoke the truth, never to put anybody down or make himself the hero. He reminded folks to be accountable and that we all have the power to change.”
