From the Shores of the Ottawa River

Rose is providing me with invaluable life lessons by example.  We don’t get to see each other often but when we do get together, her stories and laughter sustain me for months, the sub text is we love and support one another. No matter our differences we will always encourage and support each other in a loving way. She is  a fluent Dene speaker.

My Big sister  Rose is beautiful is easygoing, and strong.  Her mind and spirit are resilient. She  has epic survival instincts, but she dislikes being told what to do,  no doubt  an old residential school trauma.  She lost her husband triadically  over 30 years ago. That wound is always fresh in her mind. 

She is a retired teacher. she worked for Northland School Division in Northern Alberta.   

She is an activist, fighting for the environment, and against injustices against the First Nations peoples. It is a burning passion. Her latest fight is with the encroaching uranium mines on our traditional territory. She and our late brother have camped on our traditional lands yearly . One year she protested against the oil industry. she was the only person protesting.

I admire my big sister.  Life has not been easy to her,  She is still grieving for her youngest son, and grandson who passed 6 months from each  two years ago.  

She has a strong inner strength. She kicked breast cancer’s butt and complication from it! She overcame liver disease.   Although one never get over a loss of a child and grandchild, she is coping with her losses the best she can.

I have nicknamed her Rambling-Rose because she can’t seem to stay in one place and is always on the road.   Happily, criss crossing Canada to visit me in Ontario at least 5 times. 

Her teachings to me are to stay strong and never give up the fight for the underdog. Don’t worry about what others think when you’re doing the right thing. She has been heard saying, everything will work out, even when it seems impossible, trust in the spirit.  Just as  important, she has a gift to write, which I keep encouraging her to do.  I even created a blog for her, she must get back to it and do some blogging. One day I hope to see her publish a book.  When she is down she calls me and we reminisce about the “good old days in Doghead.

July 29 is her birthday I won’t see her but hope to talk to her on the phone to wish her another spin around the sun.