BATTISTE, Thomas Leo- Son of the late John and Annie Battiste of Potlo’tek First Nation, passed to the spirit world in the loving presence of his wife, Susan (Heritage) and family members on May 26, 2009, in Strait Richmond Hospital. Born in Antigonish, on June 27, 1944, Tom started his early years in Chapel Island Reserve, but as a result of Centralization of Mi’kmaq to Eskasoni, the family moved to Linneus, Me., to work in the potato picking industry and to pursue educational and economic opportunities. From an early age, and throughout his life, he traveled back to Chapel Island every summer to live with his relatives, Isabel and James Bernard and later to attend the annual St. Ann mission as a part of his commitment to the Mi’kmaq traditions. He was the first Mi’kmaq to graduate from Houlton High School and Ricker College where he received a B.A. in Business Administration in 1970 from which he developed a lifelong quest to further knowledge in a way that would be beneficial to Indigenous Peoples and other minority groups through education, outreach, and advocacy. He was a member of the Sigma Delta Pi fraternity from which he sustained a lifelong relationship with his fraternity brothers. He served two years in the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran, a member of the America Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. His life as a leader in community development, advocacy and outreach was to bring positive transformations to Indigenous Peoples’ social and economic life and in particular for the Mi’kmaq Nation. He pursued recognition of Micmac and Maliseet through the development of the Association of Aroostook Indians in Houlton, Me., which under the treaty of 1776 with the United States would eventually become Federally recognized in the United States as the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. He was a catalyst for the development of the Coalition of Eastern Native Americans, the first national advocacy group of its kind created to assist non-federally recognized Eastern Indian tribes and nations in their pursuit of federal and state recognition. He was chairperson of the first New England Indian Conference that gathered all New England tribes to discuss strategies for recognition of their treaty rights and border crossing rights. He was a member of the Federal Regional Council’s Indian Task Force whose purpose was to formulate a plan to better coordinate federal and state programs for the different tribes and Indian organizations. He was a board member of the Indian Services of the Bureau of Human Relations in Bangor and of the Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. He was among the first Mi’kmaq to receive a Masters Degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Education in 1975 and the first Mi’kmaq to receive a Ford Foundation Leadership Development Program award in 1973-74. He developed the University of New Brunswick Native Counseling Program and was the Native Student Counselor to over 100 Micmac and Maliseet students attending St. Thomas University and University of New Brunswick. Tom continued to be a catalyst and spokesperson for Indigenous peoples in education as a member of the Board of Directors for Harvard Native American Alumni Association, Association of Affirmative Action Professionals, and Harvard Club of Boston. He worked as Program Specialist for Native Americans with the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., that would ensure maximum assistance to the administration for Native Americans to promote their own economic and social self-sufficiency. He worked as Tribal Administrator for Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, Executive Director of the North American Indian Center of Boston, Inc., and Economic Development Specialist for the Rhode Island Indian Council Inc., in Providence Rhode Island. Tom was a member of Cursillo Movement. Tom retired to Potlo’tek First Nations 2007 with aspirations to inspire youth through education. He leaves an inspiring legacy and role model for many Mi'kmaq. He is survived by his loving wife, Susan; sisters, Eleanor Mitchell, Gerry Cantwell (Randy), Marie Battiste (Sakej Henderson); his aunts, Harriet Doyle of Potlo’tek and Mary Rose Gould of Membertou;mother-in-law, Doris of Massachusetts; many nieces, nephews; cousins and friends, and godchildren, Matthew Cantwell, Jimmy Mitchell and Maryann Eastling. The wake will begin at 7 p.m. for the public today, at his residence on 129 Mountain Rd., Potlo’tek First Nation. A Catholic mass will celebrate his life in Immaculate Conception Church in Salmon River on Saturday, May 30, at 9:30 a.m. with Father Everett MacDow. A Saleté will be held following mass in the Chapel Island Community Hall. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made at any branch of the East Coast Credit Union throughout Cape Breton (902) 535-3456 or fax (902) 535-2295 for the Thomas Battiste Education Trust Fund for students of Potlo’tek First Nation. Special thanks to the Palliative Care Units nurses and staff of Cape Breton Regional Hospital and Strait Richmond Palliative Care and to Dr. Khan in Chapel Island. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, St. Peter’s. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com