Tributes continue to pour in for a longtime Lheidli T’enneh elder.
Mary Gouchie died last week at the age of 97 after a short battle with cancer.
My PG Now was able to track down Terry Teegee who is the Regional Chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations and spoke glowingly about Gouchie.
“I think it is a huge loss for the Lheidli T’enneh and her family and it’s a big loss for many of the Carrier Sekani members as well.”
Gouchie was one of only a few who fluently spoke the Dakelh language.
Teegee adds she did a good job of making this a priority within her own community.
“It’s quite important to keep the language alive and that’s exactly what Mary did for the Carrier people.”
“In terms of teaching the language, I think she took great enjoyment about talking to the youth and engaging them in the Carrier Dakelh.”
Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall also had some fond memories of Gouchie, stating she played a critical role in the education sector.
“She had a lot to do with the aboriginal choice school in the early 2000s, which is now Nas De Oh so she is going to be greatly missed.”
Hall was also fortunate enough to have a conversation with the longtime elder just before her passing.
“I’m very saddened by it because Mary has played an integral role in the community and her history with the Lheidli T’enneh within Prince George certainly stands out and for me, she has done a considerable amount of work in our city.”
“Through her years, she did a tremendous job educating the entire community quite honestly about what the Lheidli T’enneh is all about and what their history is all about in our area. She was a tireless worker in promoting her language and teaching it.”
A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday from Sacred Heart Church.
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