Home / News Releases / News Release: Kukpi7 & Tribal Chief Christian Remembers & Honours Hereditary Chief Tsaskiy, Ron George
FOR IMEMDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2021
Secwepemcúl̓ecw (Shuswap) – Tsaskiy, Ron George was a tireless advocate, spokesperson and leader for the people. He believed in the sovereignty of our people, his heart was for the people. His sudden departure has left many in deep sorrow and grief, but knowing him as a brother, friend, and co-leader he would want people to celebrate his life. Ron was an amazing person to walk alongside in the fight for our rights.
Kukpi7 Christian walked alongside Ron during the Constitution Express 2 to Europe in 1981. This was the advance team:
There were 18 in total: 10 women, three men, and five children.
Tsaskiy – Ron was in charge of the advance team, he travelled with Lynne Crompton to check-in and assist each team in each country. He was a fearless and tireless fighter for our rightful place as recognition as a Nation of people. Ron and Lynne had made contact with former German Chancellor Willie Brandt, who was a friend of PM Pierre Trudeau, and they set up a meeting with myself and Willie Brandt. I advocated against Trudeau’s plan to patriate the constitution as it would sever our Nation-to-Nation relationship with the Crown.
Ron was an extraordinary brother, friend, and leader but most importantly, a father and a family man. He changed the world with the lobby against the patriation of the Constitution. He loved his family and everything he did was to fight for his family’s right to be Wet’suwet’en.
Our condolences to Ron’s family and a BIG thank you for sharing him with us all these years.
“My prayers and blessing to my brother, I ask that the Creator clear the way for Ron on his journey to his ancestors, I ask that the Creator clear the path to the front, the left, the right, behind, above and below for my Brother on his journey,” said Kukpi7 Wenecwtsin (Wayne Christian). “I ask that all of his living family from the youngest to the oldest be touched by the Creator’s light and heal any illness within, as you shed tears for you loved one remember tears are water and water is healing.”
Memorial: Friday, June 25
A memorial will be held on Friday, June 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Camosun College Pavilion – Na-tsa-maht – Aboriginal Gathering Place – Lansdowne Campus 3100 Foul Bay Road., Victoria, B.C. People interested but unable to attend in person are invited to do a drive-by between 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Envelopes and individually wrapped baked goods can be dropped off during this time. The memorial will follow in the Pavilion at 7:00 p.m. with a maximum of 50 people only allowed inside the pavilion A zoom link will be posted by family members on social media prior to the start of the ceremony. Please feel free to wear your orange shirt or bright colored clothing as Ron did not want everyone in black.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, June 26
A celebration of life will be held at Camosun College Pavilion – Na-tsa-maht – Aboriginal Gathering Place – Lansdowne Campus located at 3100 Foul Bay Rd., Victoria, B.C. A maximum of 50 people allowed inside the pavilion. A zoom link will be posted by family members on social media prior to the start of the ceremony. Please feel free to wear your orange shirt or bright coloured clothing as Ron did not want everyone in black. The Eulogy will be accessible on the First Memorial (Victoria, B.C.) website for Ron George.