Spence, Ahab (1911-2001)

Ahab Spence was born at Split Lake, Manitoba, on July 1, 1911. He attended Emanuel College in Saskatoon, studying theology, and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan (1952). Spence worked as an Anglican priest in the Diocese of Saskatoon (1937–65), with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (1965– 70), and with the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood, serving as the organization’s president from 1974 to 1976. He taught at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College from 1980 to 1998 in the Indian Languages Department, and was recognized as professor emeritus. Dr. Spence received an honorary law degree from the University of Saskatchewan (1964), the national Aboriginal achievement award for Education (1985), and was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1982. He died on April 5, 2001.

Canadian Plains Research Center