'A guiding presence': Indigenous elder dies after contracting COVID-19
A highly regarded Indigenous knowledge keeper died over the weekend.
Roxanne Tootoosis was just 60 years old when she died from complications with the Delta variant.
Her family, friends and colleagues said she was grounded in Cree language, culture and Indigenous traditions.
“I’m really trying to not be selfish in the fact that I want her here,” Niska Napoleon, Tootoosis’ daughter, said.
“She did her work that she was sent here to do and so I have to be very thankful for all the lives that she touched. I only wish that she knew how valued she was.”
'KNOW WHO YOU ARE FIRST, AND YOU'LL NEVER GET LOST'
Tootoosis taught at MacEwan University as the first full-time Indigenous knowledge keeper and facilitator, according to the university’s statement on Monday.
MacEwan said she was a “guiding presence” for the students, faculty and staff.
“Roxanne inspired us to find a deeper connection with Indigenous beliefs and culture,” the statement read.
“We have been honoured and privileged to have been blessed with her wisdom and knowledge. Many of us will remember her sharing, ‘Know who you are first, and you’ll never get lost.’”
Source: MacEwan University
Napoleon told CTV News Edmonton Tootoosis was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 when she contracted the Delta variant at a sweat lodge ceremony last weekend.
She was confirmed positive on Tuesday.
While speaking to her mom over the phone, Napoleon said she could tell her air was getting a bit laboured, “You could hear her trying to catch her breath.”
According to Napoleon, Tootoosis had called 811 when her symptoms started to get worse. However, she was told they weren’t serious enough yet to go to emergency.
She was found unresponsive at home on Sunday.
'IT'S AN HONOUR THAT PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT HER'
Napoleon, an artist, lives in Mexico and told CTV News she last spoke to her mom on Saturday after she hit number one on the Indigenous Music Countdown.
Napoleon said she wanted to “live in the moment,” and uploaded videos of her day to her Instagram account later that night and saw her mom had viewed them.
But, when Napoleon messaged her to share the experience — she realized the messages hadn’t been read.
Napoleon told CTV News she grew worried and called her family to see if anyone had heard from Tootoosis.
“She was home alone,” Napoleon choked up. “No one was expecting her to pass.”
While Napoleon is deeply saddened by the loss of her mom she said she’s proud knowing she left behind a lasting legacy.
“She had a very strong background, very strong sense of self and she was a very strong Indigenous woman and I think that she knew what she was meant to do here and she did that.”
“It’s an honour that people want to know about her and to be able to honour her and recognize the impact she made. Unfortunately it took her passing to recognize the impact but I know it was far and wide,” she added.
Source: Niska Napoleon
Tootoosis will be going back to Poundmaker Cree Nation near Cut Knife Saskatchewan to be buried with her family on Thursday.
“She was very warm, humorous, loving, kind, and generous with whatever she had,” Napoleon reflected.
“It’s the community she created and helped nurture and feed and I feel like she was a mother in a lot of ways to a lot of people.”
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Touria Izri
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.