Obituary: The Rev. Hagar Head

The Rev. Hagar Head, one of the first Indigenous women to be ordained and attain a Master of Theology degree, passed away suddenly at the age of 72 on Oct. 10, 2010.

Head was born and lived most of her life on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba. She married John Head in 1956 and together they raised six children as well as adopted and foster children. The couple were active members of the Church of the Redeemer on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. In 1988, she was ordained as a deacon. In 1998, Head earned her Master of Theology degree from the Vancouver School of Theology. During her ministry in the diocese of Brandon, she helped many families from Opaskwayak Cree Nation and surrounding communities, incorporating spirituality and indigenous cultural teachings such as the Medicine Wheel into her work.

In 2003, Head retired from ministry, but as a former student of Indian Residential School, she later worked as a counsellor with the Eyakeen Centre in Winnipeg supporting other former students.

She was predeceased by her husband John and grandchildren Tannis, Jenna and Gina. She is mourned by her children Norman, Elizabeth, Janet, Chris, Annette, Rhonda, and adopted daughter Mary, 17 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.