Alex Decoteau

My Canadian historical figure is Alex Decoteau. Alex was born in the year 1887 November 19.   Alex Wuttunee Decoteau was a Cree Canadian track and field athlete. When he was three years old, his father was murdered so his mother sent him off to a school named  Battleford Indian Industrial School. Alex was a good student and a great athlete. After his schooling, Alex became a police officer in the year 1911. Alex Decoteau was the first aboriginal police officer and made Canadian policing history.

Alex began an interest in running and won many races around Alberta and even set  a few records. He then became the only Alberta athlete to qualify for the 1912 Olympics. Alex finished eighth overall in a 5,000 metre run and when he returned home the had a BIG PARADE down Jasper Avenue.

Alex join the Canadian military in April 1916. He was sent to France during WW1 where he continued to race. In one race the King of England awarded him his own pocket watch.  

On October 30, 1917 Alex was killed by a German sniper in the battle of Passchendaele.

Alex has been inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, the Edmonton Police Hall of Fame, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and the Saskatchewan First Nations Sports Hall of Fame. In 2004, he was named one of the 100 Edmontonians of the Century.

BY CHARLIE :D