James Gordon Lloyd Spence

James Gordon Lloyd Spence passed away on March 1, 2026, at 8:05 p.m. at Concordia Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 81. James went by Jimmy, Jim, and Rudy. He was born on his parents’ trapline near Cross Lake on April 22, 1944, though government records list his birth as May 1. As a child he spent five years at the Ninette Sanatorium receiving treatment for tuberculosis with Thomas, Margie, Doreen, and Liz. When he returned home, he spoke Anishinaabemowin and throughout his life became fluent in four languages: Nêhiyawêwin, Anishininimowin, Anishinaabemowin, and English.

In his early years, Jim was a trapper who spent time hunting, fishing, and living on his family’s trapline with his brothers Thomas and John during the spring and winter seasons. He often spoke about how those experiences on the land shaped his resilience and his outlook on life, particularly the importance of generosity and reciprocity. Jim was a residential school survivor who attended Birtle Residential School and later Portage la Prairie, where he excelled as a long-distance runner and won many championships. Running remained one of his fondest memories and greatest passions, and he was also a member of the choir.

Jim pursued higher education at Brandon University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and later a Bachelor of Education. Fresh out of high school, he became the first Band Manager of Cross Lake in 1967 after the Indian Agent left. Alongside a small team of young leaders, he helped establish the community’s early local government structures, supporting Elders and helping lay the administrative foundations for band governance and self-determination. Over the years he held many roles that reflected his dedication to community leadership and education. He worked as a miner in Flin Flon, a coordinator with the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization, an administrator in Split Lake, a high school teacher and associate to the Director of Education, the late Rebecca Ross, in Cross Lake, and later served as Principal in Fox Lake. He also worked as a BUNTEP coordinator in Split Lake, recruiting and supporting future teachers, and later served as Band Manager at Tataskweyak Cree Nation, helping establish early governance systems. Jim was involved with the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs) and contributed to the landmark document Wahbung: Our Tomorrows. He was widely respected for his work in policy and governance development, particularly in helping advance and strengthen First Nations band governance in its early stages.

Jim was known for his humour, his quirky personality, and his love of conversation. A regular at Portage Place, he could strike up a conversation with anyone, often joking in Cree or English, laughing at his own jokes and sharing his stories, singing country songs, or breaking into a little dance. He proudly described himself as a political scientist and loved discussing politics with anyone who would listen; it was a special interest of his and he loved to share that with people.

Jim had Sonny in 1965, Michael in 1968, and Karen in 1970. He met Anne McGillivary of Opaskwayak Cree Nation at Brandon University in 1988, and they married in 1990, sharing 35 years together and building a life largely in Winnipeg. They had Sean in 1989 and Leticia in 1990.

He is survived by his beloved wife Anne; his children Sonny, Michael, Karen, Sean, and Leticia; and stepchildren Dwayne and Jenny (Owen); his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his siblings Liz (late Daniel), Margie, John (Rose), Doreen (Ralph), Darlene (Herbert), and Irvin (Delores); as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is reunited in the spirit world with his parents Alex and Evelyn Spence; his brothers Thomas (Hazel) and Willis (Roseanne); and his sisters Betsy Spence, Sarah-Jean Bittern (Joseph), and Eliza Sinclair (Eric).

Jim will be remembered for his humour, generosity, knowledge, and the many lives he touched as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend.

Officiating services will be Rev. Evelyn Broadfoot.

Wake service to be held on Tuesday March 10, 2026, from 7pm – 10pm, at Eternal Grace Funerals (10-1111 Logan Ave. Winnipeg MB).

Funeral service to be held on Wednesday March 11, 2026, at 11am, also at Eternal Grace Funerals.

Interment at Brookside Cemetery to follow.

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