Archie Miller was one of the most
friendly and colourful people in Lloydminster. He probably shook more
hands in welcome and remembered the names of more newcomers to the area than
anyone else.
Born in Lucan, Ontario in 1896, he
came West with his parents to Edmonton in 1899 and then to Lloydminster in
1903. At 16 years of age Archie joined the Dominion Survey Team and worked
with the many team members who were Cree. He became fluent in that
language and later this made him extremely successful at trading for furs and
fish when he worked in Cameron's store. From 1912 to 1925 he lived year
'round in a tent! In 1925 he married Edna Taylor, a nurse in the
Lloydminster hospital, and they had two daughters. Miller became an agent
for the Sunlife Assurance Company.
Miller was always an avid
outdoorsman and sports enthusiast, player, coach and referee in hockey games and
later at the local arena. He was timekeeper for hockey games for 25 years.
Miller received many honours
including the Queen's Silver Medal, Life Memberships in both the Chamber of
Commerce and the Fish and Game Leagues in both provinces, and induction into the
Kinsmen Hall of Fame. One of his proudest moments came when he was made
"Honorary Chief Big Bear" at Onion Lake in 1974 receiving a Chief's
headdress. A local arena bears his name also.
Miller died in 1978. His
funeral service was held in the Civic Centre with more than 1400 attending
including a contingent of folks from Onion Lake in full regalia to honour their
loyal old friend. It was a fitting tribute to the man long known as
"Lloydminster's Goodwill Ambassador.
