Thunder Bay's 1st First Nations mail carrier a man of many hats

The first First Nations mail carrier in the former city of Fort William — now Thunder Bay, Ont. — was a man of many talents which included bringing joy to others.

John Fletcher was also a fiddle player, wood carver, residential school survivor and the first chief of Missanabie Cree First Nation.

He was recognized by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in a social media post during National Indigenous History Month.

Originally from Missanabie, Ont., he moved his family to Fort William in 1963 and got a job with the post office. He went door to door delivering mail for 26 years. 

"He was like clockwork," said his youngest daughter, Bobbi Fletcher.

But she said her dad also dealt with racist microaggressions in his workplace.

"After he got his first check from the post office, they actually asked him if he was going to come back," said Bobbi.

Bobbi said her dad never let that affect him because he was there to make a living for his wife and eight kids. 

"He was always a support for everybody," she said.

"John's story is also a struggle for dignity, respect, and fairness in the workplace — values that CUPW and the labour movement continue to fight for every day," the union's post on X read.

John Fletcher died in 2021 at the age of 92. 

1st chief

Bobbi said outside of work, her dad was also active in the community, participating in boards, events and committees.

His community involvement continued to grow after he retired. In 1992, he became the first chief of Missanabie Cree First Nation as it fought for its land entitlement under Treaty 9. Bobbi said they needed a chief to take the claim to court and John took on that role. 

"He was basically acclaimed by all the people there... he is going to be our first chief and he's going to start this process," said Bobbi. 

Another thing he did after retirement is put together a fiddle group called the John E. Fletcher band and one of their favourite places to play was assisted living facilities.

"It was always a packed area whenever they were performing," said Bobbi.

He would also enter fiddle contests because he enjoyed playing so much.

And his creativity didn't end there. He loved to carve birds, paddles — whatever people wanted.

"There wasn't anything that he couldn't fix or make," said Bobbi.