It was a glorious celebration for Don Smoke’s 100th birthday on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at the Alderville Community Centre.
The Community Centre was filled with family, friends and people wanted to take part in the celebrations of a veteran, father and grandfather.
The celebration kicked off with two birthday cakes being wheeled out and everyone singing Happy Birthday to not only Don, but his granddaughter Tawn Thomas who was celebrating her 44th birthday.
The tradition drum led by Randall Smoke along with family and friends played a number of ceremonial songs while Don Smoke tapped along to the beat of the drums.
“This has been 100 years in the making,” said Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson calling it the most amazing party Alderville has ever had.
Shkaabaawis Gerard Saggasige started off his remarks by saying, “what an awesome day, but what an awesome century.”
Saggasige referred to the Early Years Centre in Alderville.
Pointing to Smoke, Saggasige said, “there is the early years teacher.”
“Everything that he does, he doesn’t just do it for his own family, he does it for everybody’s family.”
“And for him to be apart of my life, it’s easy for me to call him “the teacher.”
“From his grandchildren, his great grandchildren, his boys and his girls is that they just don’t call him “dad,” they call him “Spirit Dad.”
Presentations were made by Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige from Anishinabek Nation, Chief Kelly LaRocca from Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Chief Laurie Carr from Hiawatha First Nation, Chief Laurie Hockaday from Curve Lake First Nation, Judd Smoke from Red Drum Motorcycle Club, Deputy Grand Chief Christopher Plain from Anishinabek Nation, Paul Matthews from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Major Chris Wattie and Sergeant-Major Robert Brown from the Canadian Armed Forces, Chris Davenport from Cobourg Legion Branch 133 and Northumberland-Clark MP Philip Lawrence.
Among the festivities was a flyover by a CC-130 Hercules from CFB Trenton.
Donald Smoke – A Life of Service and Legacy
Murdith Donald Smoke was born in 1926 on the Alderville Reserve where his early life was shaped by family, and a deep connection to the land.
From a young age, he learned the values of hard work, responsibility, and respect through harvesting, hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering.
As a young man, Don enlisted in World War II.
His service reflected courage and commitment not only to country, but to future generations.
When asked later in life if he would do it again, Don simply said, “Yes, I would – for my grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.”
After the war, Don returned home and built a life grounded in family, work, and community.
He dedicated 30 years of service to General Motors and jokes about being on GM’s pension for 45 years.
Together with his late beloved wife, June-baa, he built a home rooted in love, humility, and generosity.
He raised his three daughters and 5 sons and grandchildren.
His strength is an enduring belief in looking after one another.
As we celebrate 100 years of Don’s life, we honour not only his military service and working life, but the legacy he leaves behind for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
His story is one of perseverance, kindness, and living with he has touched. purpose, values that continue through the many generations he has touched.
Video – Photo Gallery – WWII Veteran, Don Smoke Celebrates 100 Years of Knowledge and Love
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
