During his lifetime Bruce Point, according to those who spoke at his funeral, helped to change the course of history for Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation.
He was a community leader, not only during his position as Tla’amin Chief, but throughout his 50 years of life. He had the utmost respect for his ancestors, leaders themselves: Sitting Bull and Chief Joseph. Both were tattooed on his arms.
The overwhelming sentiment coming from people in the community was that Bruce was a selfless individual who dedicated his life to helping those around him, to those who came to him for advice or support. He is described as a man of dignity, of perseverance and compassion. His spiritual journey began on January 4, 2014.
Bruce and his brother Sandy were inseparable through their youth. Though Sandy was the younger of the two, they were often mistaken as twins. Doreen Point, Bruce’s mother, explained that the likeness between the two brothers was a concern even for the funeral director. “Pat Gisle is the funeral director at Stubberfield’s,” she said. “He worked several days to prepare Bruce before the service was to take place. Just prior to the viewing, Pat was startled when he came out to see Sandy sitting on the bench near the front. We had a laugh among us and it was a healing moment.”
Brandon Peters delivered the eulogy for the ceremony. Peters related that, being the elder of the two brothers, Bruce was the brain behind all of their schemes, which were many over the years. On one occasion, he felt that rather than attend school, it seemed a better idea to go fishing. He went trout fishing for 10 days and gave all of the fish he caught to his grandmother. He was later caught in the act and a swift end to his epic fishing adventure was decided.
Despite at the time his decisions appearing to be hijinks, even in his youth the seeds of leadership were already coming to fruition, said Peters. “Bruce showed at an early age that he was a rooster. I say rooster, because he watched out for his own, always putting the needs of others above himself.”
From his father Alex, Bruce inherited a quiet, calm and assertive nature. From his mother’s side, determination. Doreen recounted that Bruce struggled to come into the world right from the start. “He was born premature and he spent almost the entire first year of his life in the hospital,” she said. “Even as recent as two years ago Bruce had surgery and his lungs collapsed. Dr. [Pawel] Makarewicz revived him on the operating table. There was scar tissue on his lungs from when he was very young and he suffered pneumonia and bronchitis. His toxicology report came back and the coroner said it was remarkable, considering the health conditions he struggled with through his life.”
Doreen expressed frustration at the lack of understanding to his death. “After all this time we still don’t know what it means, or why he passed,” she said.
Peters said that in life, perhaps the most far-reaching contribution was that Bruce believed whole-heartedly in education for the people of Tla’amin. He knew that it was through education that the people would change for the better. “I received my bachelor’s degree of education in May 2013,” he said. “Bruce was my champion. He stood up for me at every turn. My future is far more secure because of him.”
Peters added that Bruce helped friend or foe and many people owe their brighter futures to Bruce’s advocacy.
“Bruce’s passive resistance and gentle way of leadership in the community earned him the respect of many leaders,” he said. “He met many celebrities, chiefs and politicians from all over the globe. He was on council for almost two decades. The people of Sliammon would have continued to elect him. He was not concerned with power. He never crossed the floor. He was a man of his word.”
Peters said that the greatest gift is leading quietly, with dignity and compassion. He said Bruce was a true leader, and, as one message on his Facebook page reads, “he stood out as a voice for the people who weren’t being heard. He was always there when times were tough and I didn’t know who else to turn to. His inspiration kept me in line when I wanted to quit.”
The title of elder is not for everyone. “Being an elder comes with experience, comes with knowledge, and with how many people look to you for direction,” Peters said. “There is an old native belief that when a person has done all they can do on this earth, helped everyone they can possibly help, and learned everything they are going to learn and have reached a state of enlightenment, the creator calls them home. Bruce was tired and he was called home.”
