Rob’s Test Article

Norton’s funeral took place beneath large white tents in the parking lot of the Kahnawake Sports Centre. Several hundred people lined up to pay their respects, taking their seats afterward beneath the canopy to listen to some of Norton’s friends and colleagues share their memories of him. The crowd — wearing masks and keeping two metres apart — overflowed from beneath the tents.

The wide Iroquois confederacy flag next to Highway 138 loomed over the ceremony, but it hung at half-mast, signalling the community’s grief over the loss of a respected leader. Norton died suddenly, after a fall, on Friday.

I like playing football so much, man!

Robby

Peggy Mayo, who was on the council with Norton for several terms, told stories of his love for the community. “This is the Joe that I knew,” she said. “This is the Joe who was very sincere, humble. He was very humorous. He was funny and he loved to dance.”

He was also a force who motivated those around him, speakers said. Mayo described a journey aboard a small plane with Norton. They were on their way to a conference, and the prospect of flying on the small craft terrified her. At first Norton teased her, convincing her to come along despite her fear, but after the trip, he told her he was proud of her. “We all know Joe — he was not very generous with his compliments,” she said with a smile. Many in the crowd laughed.

The stories Mayo and others told illustrated Norton’s strength of character and steady leadership. Ross Montour, who served on the council with Norton, said his death had left the community reeling and stricken with grief. But Norton would be remembered, he added, as someone who stood tall for his community, displaying passion and vision.

“Our ancestors mastered the art of steering our canoe through the ever-narrowing waters between the rock and a hard place,” Montour said. “Joe was a man of — and fitted for — his time, standing in the breach always with a clear mind and a steady hand.”