Persona

Lindsay, Leona

Leona (nee Cayan) Lindsay was born March 7, 1931 at home on the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan. Leona's parents were Elizabeth (nee Morrisette) and Basil Cayan. Leona spent her early years at home with her parents. In September of 1938, Leona was sent to St. Michael's Indian Residential School in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. Leona attended St. Michael's until the spring of 1947 when she completed the highest level of education available at the school. After she was discharged Leona was employed as a domestic on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the surrounding communities including Blaine Lake and Marcelin. In 1949, Leona obtained employment as a domestic at the North Battleford Indian hospital where she worked until 1951. Following her work in North Battleford, Leona moved to Ottawa, Ontario where she began training as a Registered Nurses Assistant. Leona began her career in health care at the Ottawa Civic hospital working there until her marriage. Leona married Charles Lindsay in August of 1963 and they had one daughter (Glenna Alison, 1964). Leona and Charles moved to Renfrew, Ontario in the outskirts of Ottawa. Shortly after the birth of her daughter Leona took a job at the Renfrew County Home for the Aged were she had a rewarding career for 27 years. After 30 years of marriage Leona was widowed in 1993. Leona left Renfrew in 2001 to return to her home community of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, where she is enjoying her retirement and is an active member of the community.