Letter of Sympathy for the family and friends of Patricia Monture

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is profoundly saddened by the passing of Patricia

(Trish) Monture, who died on November 17, 2010 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Trish will be remembered in our hearts as a dedicated and passionate Haudenosaunee

activist, mother, writer, educator and mentor. She was an inspiration to many young people,

faculty members, lawyers, and to many First Nations. Patricia led the way with her writings

on Indigenous theory, intersectional theory, governance, law, and social and political

inequality.

 

Trish was an exceptionally accomplished author and scholar. In addition to numerous

articles, scholarly volumes and reports, she authored two books: Thunder in my Soul: A

Mohawk Woman Speaks (1995), and Journeying Forward: Dreaming First Nations

Independence (1999). She had also edited a recent anthology, First Voices: An Aboriginal

Women’s Reader (2009). These written works will help to carry forward her knowledge and

teachings for generations to come.

 

Trish was truly admired by all those she encountered. Her contributions to community and

academia were recognized broadly, marked by honorary doctorates from both Athabasca

University in June 2008 and Queen’s University in June 2009. NWAC is deeply grateful to

have had her contribute to and author several reports on multiple subjects over the years to

advance awareness and change in response to issues impacting the lives of Aboriginal

women, their families and communities.

 

NWAC would like to extend our deepest sympathy and prayers to Trish’s loved ones; her

children, Justin, Michael, Jack, Leonard, Leith, Lionel and Genine, her siblings and extended

family. Trish touched so many lives with her tremendous Spirit and strength, we are so

grateful for all of the gifts she shared with us. Miigwetch, Nia:wen kowa, Marsi-Cho, Thank

you.

 

On behalf of all Native women, we honour Patricia Monture today and always,

Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell