June 27, 1941 – September 5, 2024
Alvin Gail Picotte passed peacefully on September 5, 2024, at Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Celebration of Life will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, September 13, 2024.
Al was born June 27, 1941, to Alvin Edward Picotte and Vylla Grace (Schunk) Picotte. Al grew up on the Cheyenne River Reservation and was proud of his Yankton Sioux heritage. He was an avid basketball player. The kids on the rez wouldn’t pass him the ball because he had blue eyes. Nonetheless, he became a star forward and played in state championship games.
Al graduated from Gettysburg High School, Northern State University in Aberdeen, received his master’s from the University of Minnesota, and his Education Specialist Degree from Central Michigan University. He moved to Sault Ste. Marie to be Superintendent of the Michigan branch of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he was instrumental in securing Indian Treaty Rights. He later joined Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools and retired from there. He said the most fun job he ever had was teaching Civics at Sault High School.
Al is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dixie; sons Charles (Michelle) Picotte of Cedarville, MI, Douglas (Jenni) Picotte of Dripping Springs, TX, and Allan Picotte of Rosemount, MN; daughters Jane of Kinross, MI and Tracy of California; grandchildren Joseph (Mary) of Hessel, Victor Gordon of Kincheloe, Maddison of Kincheloe, Marshall (Bailey) of San Marcos, TX, Libby of Dripping Springs, TX, Briana (Max) AL Taquatqa of Farmington, MN, Emma Rose of St. Paul, MN; and greatgrandchildren Clare, Leland, Wade, Nora and Hunter.