JAMES "ARCHIE" MILLER

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. "