Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mrs. Mary Kendi, a well-respected elder from Aklavik, passed away in Inuvik on Monday, May 26, 2014. Mary just recently celebrated her 99th birthday.
Born on the Pokiak Channel in 1915, Mary Vittrekwa spent her early years in Aklavik, Fort McPherson and Nagwichoo Tshik, mouth of the Peel. She married Alfred Kendi in 1932 and together raised 10 children. She sewed for her family, always making sure her children had slippers and fancy footwear and they were dressed warm in winter months. Later on, taking care of her grandchildren sewing traditional parkys, mukluks, mitts, Mary took great pride in dressing her family with her sewing. Many of her works are now treasured keepsakes in the homes throughout the Delta.
She always had a home-cooked meal ready for anyone when they visited her, a sure sign that she often had people in her home or was expecting people to stop by. Mary contributed effortlessly to the Anglican Church in Aklavik; she was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary and Women’s Institute. Mary was one of the founding members of the Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute, one of the first women in the NWT to receive the Wise Women Award. She received numerous awards throughout her lifetime, special tributes at events and gatherings. She is honoured for her many years of dedication and commitment to her community. Mary spoke strongly about the importance of young people being well educated both in today’s world and the ancestors’. It was important for Mary to pass on cultural survival skills and traditional knowledge. She made our community a better place to live by being a positive role model to everyone. Mary Kendi will be forever remembered and deeply missed. Condolences to the family. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. Condolences to the Kendi family on behalf of all of us at the Assembly.
