The family of Ruby Ignace sadly announces her sudden passing at the age of 77. Born as the chi-dawnis, oldest daughter, in Unaka, Ontario, she grew up on a trapline but went to residential school. Ruby was a strong, independent Anishinaabekwe. Driven and intelligent, she grew up in a time when it was not easy to find a career as an Indigenous woman in northwestern Ontario. She took a cut and skidder course yet no one would hire a woman. She picked cones for many years. Eventually she came back to trapping, something that she knew from her mother. She took over her aunt’s Josephine trapline, trapping until the year she died.
Her laughter and humor made her many friends along her travels in life. She loved to see new things and loved to travel. She was able to make several trips south of Ottawa to visit her son, Edward, Yukon to visit her son, Lawrence and loved her trip south with her sisters. She had a fearless nature and this often got her in both good and bad situations.
Ruby was an Elder of Lac des Mille Lacs First Nations and practiced traditional ways of moose hunting and fishing. Ruby was happiest at her trapping cabin at Sowden along the English River. She knew the waterways and portages inside and out. Fishing from her boat was her passion and she generously shared fish with everyone. She made the most of what she had. Her goal in life was to spend her entire life living in the bush and she ended up getting what she wanted.
She is predeceased by her mother, Amin (Annie), siblings Lorene, Helen, Mary Anne, and Morris and grandson, Geoffrey. She is survived by siblings Ronnie, Roy, Christine, Diane, Brenda, Wally and Clementine, and children Lawrence, Edward, Claudette, Beatrice, Angela and Ralph and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Special thanks to Dave Hall, her “adopted son”, for helping her out in her later years. She will be missed by many friends around the English River and in Ignace, Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay.
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Jim Handbeg says
July 13, 2022 at 8:28 pmRuby will be greatly missed. It was always nice to have her spot be Shady Rest in Tannin to visit, have dinner or a beer and some laughs. We appreciated all her help over the years watching out for our camp. We couldn’t have asked for a better neighbor or friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Jim Handberg, Cindy Handberg and Marilyn Handberg
Jeroome and Julie Karl says
July 14, 2022 at 4:13 pmWe cannot say how much we will miss Ruby. It was always a joy to see Ruby. She was strong and independent. We were blessed to see her on our last visit. She beamed when talking about Lawrence and his upcoming visit. She was proud of you. She did so much for us and could not thank her enough for taking care of the Tannin Cabin during covid. Prayer for comfort and peace and hugs.
Mary England says
July 19, 2022 at 9:08 pmAs Ruby’s family doctor, it was always such a pleasure seeing her. She would light up my day with her stories, laughter and stubbornness. I will very much miss her. I’m glad she lived such a full life. Her love of this land was something she mentioned regularly. Migwetch Ruby for being so wonderful.