Beloved fiddle player and Métis Elder Martin Hamelin passes away

A beloved fiddle player and Métis Elder, Martin Hamelin has passed away.

Martin was born in Lac La Biche in 1939 and died in the Lac La Biche hospital, November 30, 2021 at the age of 82. He was raised in Imperial Mills before moving to Fort McMurray and then back to Lac La Biche. He worked as a welder, heavy equipment operator and a supervisor.

He was a proud member of The Nicely Put together Band, as the fiddle player. The band released a couple of CDs of their country music with Métis flavour and did many performances. In 2017 Martin was awarded Elder of the Year at the McMurray Métis 14th annual Elders Christmas Celebration.

Martin joins his parents, Peter Hamelin and Sarah (Quinn) Hamelin in heaven along with his siblings, Louie, Jimmy, Albert, Oliver, Charles, Lena (Hamelin) Couture, Katie (Hamelin) Paskevich, Nancy (Hamelin) Couture and his daughter Vanessa.

He is survived by his wife, Verna (Aubichon) Hamelin, his three sons, Glen, Kevin and Curtis and daughter Simone (Hamelin) Wiltzen, brother, Joe Hamelin (Diane Leitner) and sisters, Anne (Hamelin) Michalko and Virigina (Hamelin) Whitford, many cousins, nieces and nephews and his dog, scruffy.

Martin will be remembered for always lending a hand, fixing many peoples vehicles for free, a supporter for those battling addictions and for always keeping the jiggers on the dance floor, dancing to his fiddle music.

Martin will be incredibly missed by the Métis community. Join us in sending prayers to him and his family.