Update - April 26, 2012 5:50 pm : For information about Randy's funeral, please check out the Mocreebec Council website at: http://www.mocreebec.com/.

The funeral will be in Moose Factory.  Details are still being finalized.

 

In Memory of My Friend Randy Kapashesit 

 Father, Spouse, Brother, Son, Uncle, Cousin, Leader, Chief, Visionary, Doer, Creator, Pan-Indigenous Community Activist/Advocate

Donna Ashamock and Randy Kapashesit - June 21, 2009 (photo by Paul Lantz)

Randy passed away last night at around 2 a.m. in the morning.  I miss him.

Randy was an incredible person and a rare individual.  He was true.  He spoke truth in a gentle and humourous way.  He cared alot about many things and people. And he acted in line with what he cared about.  He loved his partner Donna deeply.  He loved his children deeply.  He loved and cared for his family and his friends.  He cared and was committed to his community, the Mocreebec people, and dedicated his life to leadership and projects in line with the values of his people.  Here is an article that highlights one of his many initiatives, the Cree Ecolodge:  ABC Leaders - Randy Kapashesit

Randy knew who he was. He knew that Indigenous communities like his that work for self-determination through the assertion of their own values are important. Randy made hugely positive contributions at the local and international level.

Randy was also hilarious and silly, and had a fine sense of the absurd.  He loved great music and meeting  new people.   He was generous and hospitable, and built many cross-cultural bridges.  To me, he was a great friend to play pranks on, someone who cared enough to make efforts as a matchmaker (not successful, but thoughtful nonetheless...), and a guiding light.  Randy is someone whose opinions I truly valued and respected.   I always wanted to introduce him to new people in my life, because he was such a unique and wonderful person and good people should know each other.  He is often in my head when I think of what path to take, especially in my work. 

Randy, we will miss you so much.  You left us as a young man of 50 with so much more life to live, people to meet, things to do.  You left too early.

To Donna, Aj and Wasey, our thoughts are with you. 

Randy Kapashesit, Paul Lantz and Donna Ashamock sharing a laugh - fish eye view (photo by David Hunter)