Tommy Prince - Civilian Life Again

Civilian Life Again

Adjusting to civilian life had not been easy for Prince after World War II, and with painfully arthritic knees as a result of the long, harsh conditions during his military service, his capabilities were limited. Coupled with the discrimination seen against Native people at the time, his life became increasingly difficult, ultimately ending in his estrangement from his family and the placement of his children in foster homes.

In June 1955, Tommy Prince made the news for his heroism in saving a man from drowning at the Alexander Docks in Winnipeg. But his personal life kept deteriorating and alcoholism overtook him resulting in his final years being spent virtually alone, living in a Salvation Army hostel. In order to support himself, he sold off his medals.

Prince died at the Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg in 1977 and was interred in the Brookside Cemetery.

Prince's medals changed hands several times before coming up for auction in London, Ontario. His nephew, Jim Bear, organized a pledge drive and purchased the medals, entrusting them to the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg.

Since his passing, a number of honours have been bestowed in his name. Some of them are:

• Sgt. Tommy Prince Street - Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Sgt Tommy Prince School - Scanterbury, Manitoba
• The "Tommy Prince Barracks" at Canadian Forces Base, Petawawa, Ontario
• The "Tommy Prince Drill Hall" at the Land Force Western Area Training Centre in Wainwright, Alberta
• Government of Canada "Sergeant Tommy Prince Army Training Initiative" for aboriginal recruiting
• The "Tommy Prince Award": An Assembly of First Nations scholarship
• The "Tommy Prince Scholarship" at Sault College, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
• 553 Sgt. Tommy Prince PPCLI Cadet Corps, Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Tommy Prince Road in the Valour Park/Victoria Cross Park - a mixed-use development of Currie Barracks in Calgary, Alberta (2010)

On February 10, 2010, it was announced that Canadian actor Adam Beach will portray the Canadian war hero in an upcoming movie about his life. According to Bay Film Studios, the movie will be a "true account of Canada's most highly decorated First Nations soldier." Beach, 37, said he is honoured to portray Prince, calling him a positive role model for all First Nations.