Help Lyle John Fight and Beat Cancer!

Hi, my name is Alison Boston and I'm raising funds to help pay expenses directly related to Lyle's cancer treatment.

Lyle is a good friend, with a big, kind, generous heart. When I lost my rental last year, and could not find another due to our insane housing crisis, Lyle made room for me in his small apartment. We had just put the deposit on a lovely 2-bedroom rental in the same building, set to move in November 1st, when Lyle fell ill.

He was fatigued and feverish, with no appetite for about a week. I took him to Victoria General Hospital Emergency at noon, on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. By 3:00pm he was diagnosed with acute leukemia, and after spending the night in hospital, he was taken by ambulance to Vancouver General Bone Marrow Clinic- (the only one in B.C. ) where they diagnosed him with AML.

He is currently receiving chemo-therapy as an in-patient, and the doctor expects to keep him in hospital for about a month. Doc says after being released, Lyle will be a day-patient and will need to reside in the Vancouver area for a year.  

Yet Lyle's home is in Victoria, so where will he live while receiving treatment in Vancouver? First Nations Health Authority will pay for 3 months accommodation and meals. After that? 

(Yup, we gave up moving to the 2 bedroom, choosing to keep the small apartment while we figure this out!)  

Lyle was mostly self-employed for the past 10 years, and did not have sick benefits, so we're asking for your help covering costs BC Health and First Nations Health don't cover.

Lyle is an Indigenous man, and Cree Knowledge Keeper. Born and raised in Saskatchewan on One Arrow Cree First Nation (peyakwaskonam).

Lyle settled in Victoria, British Columbia in 2012 after living the full experience of a Canadian Cree man born in the 1950's. He started a small moving and delivery business, and you've probably seen his graffitted moving van driving around the CRD and Island, or parked around Yates.

He's also formed a deep connection with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, where he is recognized as an Elder, and where he teaches Plains Cree.

Lyle's father was from One Arrow, his mother was Sioux and Metis. His grandmother was also from the territory, while his grandfather was Blackfoot. His direct ancestor, Chief Peyakwaskonam was a signatory to the original treaty 6 in 1876.

For Lyle, Cree was the first and only language spoken at home. He was able to stay in his home, as the elementary school was on the territory, and says he had a happy childhood. Then at age 16 he was taken to a residential school (Duck Lake) where he found friends and others who also spoke Cree. And... he also met and hung out with Jackie Ballantine, another Nihiyaw (Cree) fluent speaker who also teaches at the Friendship Center. Yet even with those Cree speaking friends at residential school, Lyle left after only one year.  

In his early work life, Lyle worked construction jobs as a roofer, drywaller and as a general labourer at a railroad work camp, before moving to BC where his love of dogs, led him to train dogs for movie roles! 

Over the past ten years in Victoria, Lyle's built his Moving, Pick-up and Deliveries business, and is known as a strong supporter of the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, where he teaches language, culture and traditional values. As a teacher, students say he is patient and kind, while at the same time encourages others to participate and share. A favourite saying is "ki tâhkâhkîhtâkosin" (you sound good!). He is never shy to offer a joke or a fun story and will often share cultural teachings.

Lyle especially remembers his grandparents and the values they passed on to him. They were survivors in difficult times and taught Lyle values of humanity and fairness. “My grandparents lived their lives by example, and I made those decisions to follow that way of life.”

Lyle’s Cree name is mutwêsinô kîsik (Sounding Sky) and a favourite cultural value is miyomahcihowin (good heath).

Lyle wants to continue teaching Cree from his hospital bed, as much as he is able, and throughout his ongoing healing.

Can you help mutwêsinô kîsik through this medical crisis? And help keep this Plains Cree Knowledge Keeper sharing his language and cultural knowledge for many more years to come?

For now, you can also send him a cheery note, snail mail: