Tributes pour in after passing of Indigenous musician Vince Fontaine

“On behalf of our Fontaine family, it is with terrible sadness and shock that I announce the sudden passing of my dear Uncle Vince Fontaine today, Tuesday, January 11, 2022,” the post read.

“Vince’s love of music was only outshone by his measureless devotion to his family, friends and community.”

Fontaine, a member of the Sagkeeng First Nation, was a Juno Award winning musician and a fixture in the Manitoba music community as a founding member of rock band Eagle & Hawk, and folk pop band Indian City.

In 2002 Eagle & Hawk won a Juno Award for their album On and On in what at the time was called the Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording category, now known as the Indigenous Music Album of the Year.

Indian City, which was formed in 2011, has also released several albums, and the band collaborated with well-known Canadian musicians Chantal Kreviazuk and Jim Cuddy on their 2021 release Code Red.

But along with his musical abilities and resume, Fontaine is also being remembered as a man who would always be there for his friends and family, and for his community.

On Tuesday evening after the news of Fontaine’s death, the Bear Clan Patrol Inc. released a post on their Facebook page that touched on the charitable and volunteer work that Fontaine did.

“Vince was an integral part of our hamper program delivering hampers every Wednesday to our city’s most vulnerable throughout the pandemic,” the post read.

“Rest easy Vince, you will be missed.”

Tributes have also been coming in from Indigenous leaders in Manitoba who say Fontaine’s music and his art were important because they showcased Indigenous culture to a wide audience.

“His passion for the music industry was propelled by his conviction to share the beauty and importance of First Nations culture,” Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas said in a Wednesday press release.

Dumas said that Fontaine was also known for giving to his community, and often doing so without seeking recognition or accolades for the charitable and volunteer work that he did.

“Not only did he give his heart in the songs he wrote, but he did it by supporting so many community events and causes,” Dumas said. “He never said no when it came to helping Indigenous people, but he did so quietly.

“Every aspect of his art, his creativity and his community advocacy connected people.”

As of Tuesday an exact cause of death had not been confirmed by family members of Fontaine.

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.