Colleagues, Julie Capot-Blanc was born on February 11th, 1966, to Napolean and Mary Capot-Blanc from Fort Nelson, BC. She was the sixth child of ten siblings. Julie grew up in Fort Nelson when the family eventually moved to the town of Fort Nelson in 1973. The family love to tell the story about when she was four years old. She would constantly cry after her older siblings when they would head off to school. After a bit of time, they got tired of it and her sister Violet decided that she would take Julie to school to stop her from crying. They did without registering her, but Julie loved it and she fit right in. This is how she started attending school.
Julie started visiting her sister in Fort Liard when she was about 15 years old. On one of her visits, she met Anthony, who turned out to be the love of her life. One time when they were hanging out with friends and her and Anthony started play-fighting. Julie pinned Anthony down and straddled him. Harry Fantasque said, Weh-ehh, we know she's going to be your wife, Anthony. A couple of years later, they ended up together and have been together since.
It was interesting that Anthony would not tell Julie this story until this summer. They had a good laugh and appreciated that Harry predicted their future!
I had the pleasure of getting to know Julie around 1996. Of those years, Julie held numerous jobs and sat on many committees that I worked with. In 2015, she found the job that was made for her. She became the government service officer for the community. I would like to share this story with you. As for her eulogy and some stories that are attached. I would like them to be deemed as read and printed in Hansard.
Julie cared about her job and always willing to go the extra mile, whether it was a road trip to an elder in a cabin or coming to another community to help. During the summer of 2023, she came to Fort Simpson and her and my CA helped the evacuees fill out the form so they would get help from the government. This was a typical of Julie.
Another of her passions was hand games. She started the Fort Liard Hand Games Society with her nephew AJ Capot-Blanc, Margaret Klondike, Tyrone Berreault, and later Robert Loe and Roslyn Firth. She loved to follow the hand games team, whether it was in person or through multiple phone calls to her nephew to see how they were doing.
Unfortunately, on September 4th, 2024, she passed away, leaving a big hole for her community, friends and community and family. She will be greatly missed by her husband Anthony, her daughter Charmain, her granddaughter and partner in crime Madison, and her entire family and numerous friends. Thank you, Julie, for everything while you were and all that you've given. May you now rest in peace forever. You were dearly loved and will be terribly missed.
At 17, Julie welcomed a beautiful baby girl (Charmain Capot-Blanc). Charmain was their pride and joy. They enjoyed raising and doing things together with her. I can tell you; she was very proud of her. She loved to share stories about them with me.
In December 2005 she became a grandmother to Madison Julia Mae. From the first time Madison came home, she adored her. Julie was lovingly called Nana, and she referred to Maddy as "my little partner". She did everything and anything she could possibly do to help Madison. She was beyond spoiled by Nana. Benny, her great-nephew, was spoiled by Julie. She made sure he had what he needed.
Julie loved to go out on the land and would tag along with Anthony on his many adventures. Her mother Mary's best memories are of going camping with her. They would camp at Old Fort, the Petitot River and along highway 77. However, going boating on the river to their cabin at Fishermen Lake, was her favorite place to be. She found peace out there. Last year Julie tanned her very first moosehide. She was extremely excited and so proud, even showing it off to the elders. She loved beading earrings and would often give them out.
Over the years Julie has held numerous jobs and sat on many committees. Here are a few more stories about her as a GSO:
Within the community, Julie ensured residents and particularly elders, receive seamless service from GNWT departments and partners. Her good nature and diligence were offered to every client that came to the office. She took great time and care to bring services and information to elders’ homes, cabins and where they lived, even if that meant on the highway. Julie did this often and kept regular check ins with her elders for many years and had a strong trusting relationship.
The Department of Executive developed a peer award program a few years back within Regional Operations to acknowledge team Members who lead with good values and service excellence. Julie has been recognized by her peers on numerous occasions for her support, excellence, and work ethic. The team will be acknowledging their cherished team member when describing the North STAR Award, which is the top award for serving elders, which Julie was nominated every year. She did everything with a smile and strong work ethic. She was a respected GNWT employee and Elder in her community and will be missed by her regional team and community.
Besides these passions, Julie was all about helping make the community of Fort Liard a better place to live. She was a hamlet and band councillor for the community. Residents of the community felt she was great at listening and assisting those in need of any services they required. She was about the people.
She was always available to anyone that needed a listening ear or a stern talking to (whether you wanted to hear it or not). She offered her help, support and advice when needed without any complaining. Julie had a big heart that was made of gold.
There were so many more fond memories of Julie to share but it'll turn into a novel, I'm sure. So, we ask you to think about your story with her, how you enjoyed that moment in time and fondly remember her.
