Rene Fiddler

1975 - 2024

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings, you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

(Psalm 91:4)

Rene's family sadly announces his sudden passing in Carlyle, Sask. on December 13, 2024 at the age of 49.

Rene Robert Fiddler was born in Saskatoon on July 14th, 1975. He was a member of two beautiful families in the communities of White Bear First Nation and Cumberland House, Saskatchewan. Marcel and Maria Fiddler adopted Rene and his younger sister Crystal in a closed adoption. Their parents cherished both. He grew up on the island of Cumberland House in Treaty 5, Saskatchewan. He connected with his mother, Doris, his siblings, Lorna, Stacy, and Donna, and his extended family. Rene decided to move to Whitebear and connect with his southern roots. He often talked about how beautiful it was there and continued to hunt like he did up north. It was a known fact that children and animals seemed to gravitate towards Rene, especially his dog Iskew. He was a fluent Cree speaker and an avid hunter and fisherman. Rene was a loving father to his children Drew, Mathew, Danielle, Maria, and little Chepe and was a cherished partner to Karla Flett.

Rene was uniquely charismatic and loved to laugh and joke around. Rene loved his wife, Karla, calling her a little lady and telling others how much he loved her. Rene was incredibly proud of his firstborn son, Drew. As a baby, Rene would sing to him, making silly songs for his son. His younger son Mathew was Rene’s right-hand man and went with his dad everywhere. They were 

rarely seen without each other. Rene was also very proud of his daughter Danielle, who shared a memorable summer with her dad when she introduced him to his grandsons Gianni and Adonis; he was a doting first-time mosum. Rene often described his daughter Maria as courageous and unafraid of anything, and he admired her strength. He named Maria after his mom, and his son Chepee (Marcel) was named after his dad, the family's baby. Chepee shared Rene’s big heart and kindness. Karla and Rene welcomed Mystique Bigstone into their family and considered her a daughter. Rene often talked fondly about his wife and children, and it was not unusual for him to send a message to friends or family, saying how much he loved them. 

He enjoyed the outdoors and learned to love the land through his dad, Marcel. He learned to be affectionate, spiritually minded, and loving through his mom, Maria. Rene was a jack of all trades and a natural mechanic. He spent his later years with his Lonethunder family in Whitebear, maintaining a loving relationship with his mom, Doris and siblings Stacey, Lorna, and Donna and a special relationship with his niece Dee and late nephew Talon. Rene’s mom, Doris Lonethunder, taught Rene the importance of his Nakota cultural heritage and was a key figure in his life in Whitebear. Rene deeply respected his mentors, Pastor Bernice and Kelly Kakakaway. Rene enjoyed working on projects for Pastor Kelly with his son Mathew. Rene also shared a special bond with his sis Felicia McCallum, and his family would frequently visit Felicia, Burke and the kids in Regina, staying at their special spot in her studio garage. 

Rene had many friends during different seasons of his life. Still, it was his childhood friends, Stephen ‘midge’ Fiddler, Rene ‘c-bass’ Chaboyer, Jamie ‘spyder’ Settee, Leon Chaboyer, and Glen ‘beanose’ Flett, remained important to him throughout his life; other special friends included Philip ‘popeye’ Morin, Stacy Chaboyer, Jance Flett, cousins Randy Buck, Andrea Fosseneuve, Rachelle Morin and many others too many to name. 

Rene leaves to mourn his partner, Karla Flett; his children Drew Thommes, Mathew Fiddler, Danielle Fiddler (Marcus Laliberte McKay), Maria Fiddler, and ‘Chepee’ Marcel Fiddler; his grandchildren Gianni and Adonis Laliberte; siblings Stacey Lonethunder (Angela), Lorna Lonethunder, Donna Lonethunder, Crystal Settee (Ralph Settee) sisters-in-law Lindsay Dussion-Flett, Kara Settee (Brent Settee); auntie Madeline Buck; nephews Louie Lonethunder, Sheldon Lonethunder, Garnet Bigeagle, Leslie Lonethunder, Sage Chartrand, Arxson Woodard; nieces Dee Lonethunder, Kari, Rayna and Marcie Fiddler. 

Rene was predeceased by parents Marcel and Maria Fiddler, mother Doris Lonethunder; mother-in-law Lorraine Dussion, sister Shirley Lonethunder; brother-in-law Danny Flett; grandparents Peter and Margaret Buck and Walter and Mary Fiddler, grandmothers Sandy Lonethunder and Edith Redwood; uncles Eldon and Elmer Lonethunder, John Buck, Donald Buck, Pierre Buck, Charles Buck, Horace Morin, Roy Fosseneuve, John Fiddler, Ben Fiddler, Raynold Carriere, Donald Chaboyer, Norman Constant; aunties Vina Buck, Barbara Buck, Joanne Buck, Rachel Morin, Lucy Fosseneuve, Valendie Lathlin-Buck, Carrie Fiddler, Charlotte Azure, Julie Constant, Joan Bloomfield; nephew Talon Lonethunder; niece Shanese Lonethunder, cherished friend Preston ‘Pedro’ Cook, and many close cousins.

White Bear Community Hall ~ White Bear First Nations, Sask.

Wake & Feast: Thursday, December 19, 2024 ~ 5:00 p.m.

Funeral Service: Friday, December 20, 2024 ~ 11:00 a.m.

Officiating: Kelly & Bernice Kakakaway

Heritage Funeral Home ~ Nipawin, Sask.

Viewing: Saturday, December 21, 2024 ~ 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Veteran’s Memorial Hall ~ Cumberland House, Sask.

Wake Services:

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Eulogy & Burial Service:

Monday, December 23, 2024 ~ 11:00 a.m.

Interment: Cumberland House Cemetery

Pallbearers: Rene Chaboyer, Leon Chaboyer, Osawask Buck, Mathew Fiddler, Drew Thommes, Glen Flett, Stacey Lonethunder, Jamie Settee

Providing care for Rene and his family, are Hall Funeral Services (Estevan) - Dustin Hall, Funeral Director, and Heritage Funeral Home (Nipawin) - Rosemarie Forsberg, Funeral Director.