Tamara Leigh Polchies (nee Sanifas) passed away on October 5th, 2018 at Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa. She was born July 25th, 1975 to Mary Elizabeth Coburn (Augustine) and Ronald Sanifas and is the beloved sister of Lee Thomas Sanifas.

She was raised on Eel Ground First Nation by her mother and grandmother during her early years and received her education in Eel Ground and Newcastle New Brunswick. Tamara graduated from RCS Netherwood Private School in Rothesay N.B in 1993. She studied at St. Thomas and McGill University before going on to work for several First Nations Organizations across the country which was her life’s passion to further the awareness and assistance of First Nation Women and Children. Tamara was a kind and gentle soul with a giving heart full of laughter and love for those who were fortunate enough to be in her light.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday October 20th, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. followed by burial at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services. Donations in Tamara's memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.