From the Shores of the Ottawa River

Roger John Deranger (Denekizi) March 03, 1956- December 7, 2023

He was spiritual, both as a Catholic and in our Dene Spirituality.  When he was about 14, he had developed arthritis in his knees but that never stopped him from doing the things he enjoyed, traveling.  

Until his passing, nothing stopped him from getting where he needs to be.  He is the epitome of the nomadic spirit.  

On January 2, 1982, he received a job offer as a journalist, by phone for a Native paper in NWT. He was so excited!  He accepted the position without hesitation.  He said, I studied journalism for this very reason to tell our stories.  His soul was happy up north among the Dene. At times it overwhelmed him with something he couldn’t describe. It was forever  part of who He was.  I remember he was a sound technician on a CBC film with Chief Dan George, and had a small part on another film with Tantoo Martin. RIP my big brother, Roger. Roger had a son, Duran Rabesca Brown, (Myron Brown)

One Christmas, when I was small, he gave me an album – The Jungle Book.  I really loved that movie and would play the record all the time.  I don’t even know where he bought it.

A couple of years ago before our mom died, we both were heading into the hospital to visit her, when a lady approached us.  We stopped and Roger started speaking Denesuline with her in a dialect I didn’t recognize.  He was speaking with ease, which really surprised me.   As it turns out he speaks 13 Denesuline dialects fluently.  Who knew?  It is something he picked up in his travels among the various Dene from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and NWT.

 Roger was an artist. He studied journalism and communications.  That investigative nature continued as he traveled around to the many different Dene communities. He was a writer.  At the time of his passing, he was working on a collection of stories. 

Journey of Time and Blessings – Roger J. Deranger

The moment I entered this world

My journeys were also put forth and hurled

deep from within I became fueled

With a special blessing I could not named

It is a magic spark which made me

And from there it guided my way

Then time and movement joined as one

Still small, however, I wanted to run

Thus began my journeys with a singing light

Making my spirit fly with all its might

Then the day turned into a mystic season

 I carried something for a special reason

When it burst, it threw me far and wide

And made me great with no place to hide

But my journeys continued without any rest

For my talents always kept me at my best

From colors to songs, I always dance

And from above, I was in God’s hands

For it was His love that kept me strong

In a world filled with right and wrong

And time always gave me an assurance

So, my journeys will have a good clearance

To touch every soul and spread His love

Using my special gift which came from above