SOLLY KAKEGAMIC

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SOLLY KAKEGAMIC October 20, 1943 - August 8, 2016 Solly Kakegamic was born in the bush near the east side of Sandy Lake, Ontario on October 20, 1943. He was raised in the community of Sandy Lake. At the age of six, Solly was sent to the Pelican Falls Residential School near Sioux Lookout, Ontario. He did not speak English and spent 10 months at the school. He was sent home at the end of June. He attended three years at Pelican Falls Residential School. Then he was transferred to Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School and spent eight years attending there. Solly married Lydia Sawanas in 1963 and gained a step-son Rodney. Solly had five more children, Dion, Veronica, William, Knowlton and Emily. They divorced in 1976. In 1977 Solly married Lorraine Betz and had two more children, Jason and Ryan. Solly also gained one other daughter, Joy. These nine children produced 26 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Solly was predeceased by his father David; mother Patricia; siblings, Henry, Harriet, Aggie, Silas, Joy Lynn, Joshim, and Mary Rose; mother-in-law Dorothy Betz; sister-in-law Tara; grandson Aaron; and granddaughter Lindsay. He is survived by his wife Lorraine; sons, Rodney, Dion, William, Knowlton, Jason (Janice) and Ryan (Shari); and daughters, Veronica, Emily and Joy (Riley). Solly is also survived by his siblings, Ann, Goyce (Lucy), Maudie (Ken), Howard (Liz), Skip (Bertha) and Mary (McLean); his father-in-law Elmer Betz; sisters-in-law, Iris, Linda, Irene (Terry), June; and brother-in-law Tom. Solly's work history included working at the gold mines around the Red Lake area for many years. He also worked as director of the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre, director of Wa-Wa-Tay Native Communications Society and director of the Sioux Lookout Fellowship Centre. While in Sioux Lookout, Solly felt a calling into the ministry in Winnipeg. He applied for a position at the Ministry With Native People and began working with a native worshipping group of the United Church of Canada. He helped the worshipping group to become a congregation of the United Church of Canada and at the same time they obtained a building that became constituted as the Winnipeg Native United Church in 1983. Solly took his training as a lay pastoral minister and graduated in 1986. Solly also worked as a project manager at Keewaywin First Nation Reserve. He served as a Councillor of Keewaywin First Nation and served a two year term as Chief. Solly has been a member of several committees and boards over the years. He retired from being the minister of Raymond Flett Memorial United Church (formerly Winnipeg Native United Church) in December, 2013. Solly had several health issues during his life. He had diabetes, prostate cancer and kidney cancer. He was on the kidney dialysis machine for three years prior to his death. Thank you to family, friends and colleagues who gave their support during Solly's illness. Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff of Seven Oaks Hospital and St. Boniface Hospital. Special thanks to the Chief and Council of Keewaywin First Nation and to the Chief and Council of Sandy Lake First Nation. Memorial Service at Immanuel United Church, 755 Golspie St., Winnipeg, MB on Wednesday, August 10 at 7:00 p.m. Wake service at Keewaywin First Nation House of Prayer church on Thursday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral on Friday, August 12 at 1:00 p.m. followed by burial at Keewaywin cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Wheeler Funeral Home. www.wheelerfuneral.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 10, 2016