02/13/2026
The news of Elder Jerome “George” Lussier's journeying on deeply saddens us. George was a beloved, longtime Elder and friend of AIFC and will be greatly missed.
Some of our AIFC Elders shared the following in remembrance of George:
“George was a Grandfather and partner to Carolyn. George's life started on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. As a young boy, he experienced his tribes' cultural ways of living off the earth. His family tended a vegetable garden. He said, ‘When they needed red meat, they went into the woods to get it, or when they wanted fish, they set out nets.’ One story he shared was about his specialty in making hominy corn. He watched his Grandmother, and then later his mother, to see how they prepared it. ‘They soaked it, then brought it to a boil, they soaked it again, and boiled it again. They used ash from the poplar or oak tree. They might have added an onion or two, but it was a simple meal. It came out fluffy. I used to make it for these Elders here.’
George became a gardener after he moved into the Elders Lodge. He wanted to plant gourds, corn, cucumbers, and peppers. He had been planting for many years, and even in his last few days, he talked about digging up the garden to plant vegetables or flowers.
His personality was his humorous outlook on life. While he was somewhat of a quiet man, his presence in the company of those around him was evident in the fact that he smiled a lot at them. He had an ever-present cigarette dangling from his fingers.
Over the years, he became a presence at the American Indian Family Center. Sometimes, he came to sit in the lobby. At first, he rode a bike. Then he gradually took to riding an electric wheelchair. He made many friends over the years.
George will be in our hearts until we go home, likely to greet us, as he always did. I often sit and think of George, his smile, his ability to laugh, and his way of asking me if I am okay. I know his Spirit will be with all who came to know him. He saw many Spirits on his way home [to Red Lake]. What I told him was, ‘George, the Spirits are in charge.’ I said, ‘Ask them. Use that asemaa and visit them. Tell them to go home; they don't belong here. Give them water and food, let them travel in your direction.’"
— Richard Wright, AIFC Elder in Residence
“Great memories! Waewaenon, Miigwech! Colleagues, friends, and relatives of our faithful visitor, George!
I met him when I first got hired here at AIFC! He was my weekly visitor until I got so busy that I only saw him in our lobby or having coffee in our kitchen! Of course, I always had a few minutes to listen to his stories or a concern of the week that he needed someone to listen to his concern. I enjoyed listening to him in that he would always made me laugh at his stories. He reminded me of my ole people back home from my Rez!
It was an honor to know how he overcame his recovery! He shared how this agency made it possible for his recovery, and all the staff here for the past 13 years that I’ve known him! I shared my recovery story with him, too. My thoughts are that me sharing my story built up a trust with him.
The story I’ll leave with you all was when he got stranded at a pow-wow. Our family had a couple tents up for the kids. They were empty of course nobody wanted to stay. However, George was our guest for the night. I told him we have a room. He could stay there in a tent with blankets, pop, and chairs, and boy was he happy!! He loved the outdoors, I heard. The next morning, we came back, and he was gone. Next time I saw him, I asked how he got back to the cities. He said he caught the bingo bus back home!! We laughed.
He was so resourceful! He was also our Firekeeper for our Full Moon ceremonies at the Elders lodge!”
— Nelda Goodman, AIFC Elder in Residence
“One of my memories of George was when we were all visiting our ancestral home, Madeline Island. He was carrying a freshly brewed cup of coffee, he tripped but would not let the coffee fall. I didn't think he could move like that, I could've swore I saw him flip in the air to save his coffee.”
— Pam Gokey, AIFC Youth Services Manager and Elders Lodge Board Member
Chi-miigwech to our Elders who shared some loving memories of George.
Please feel free to share any memories you have of George in the comments.
We pray that George has a smooth journey back home to the stars. Our condolences go out to his partner, family, friends, and his community at the Elders Lodge.
📸: Andrew Regguinti
