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March 2, 1927 - July 2, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
We announce, with profound sadness, the passing of our beloved mother, Louise Joseph of Hagwilget, B.C. Louise was predeceased in 2008 by her husband Walter Fredrick Joseph Sr. of Hagwilget.
Louise was born in Nadleh, B.C. March 2, 1927 to Dakelh Chief Maxine George and Agnes George. As the middle child of 5 children, she is survived by her youngest brother, George George Sr. of Nadleh. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings: Evelyn Louie, Steven George, Peter George, and Bernadette McQuarrey. She was predeceased by two of her children: Shirley and Gary Joseph. Louise is survived by 10 children: Larry (Lynn), Rhea, Bertha, Gene, Linda (Norman), Walter, Eilleen, Patrick (Jeannie), Richard (Sheila), Cynthia (John); 12 grandchildren; and, 2 great grandchildren.
As a young child, Louise was taught by her parents the traditional methods of trapping, fishing and making moccasins. Her life was profoundly changed when, as a 5-year-old, she was taken from her parents against their will and placed in Lejac Indian Residential School. She remained there for 11 years until she was 16 years old. Louise moved to Hazelton to work at the Wrinch Memorial Hospital and wed Walter in 1946.
Education was important to Louise and in adulthood continued her education. In 1968 one of the first adult education courses she took was an art course by renowned Haida artist, Robert Davidson. In the mid 1970s she took night courses and attained her grade 12 diploma. She encouraged and supported all of her children to obtain post-secondary diplomas and degrees.
From the age of 5 to 88 years, Louise created beautiful beaded jewelry and accessories, moccasins, regalia and clothing in moosehide and textiles. She was a Board member of Ksan in its early years. She established a home-based business and in the early 1980s opened Tsekya Gift Shop. She regularly sold her creations to various galleries and shops in Vancouver, and she has items on display at the Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau. She co-owned a family business, Tsekya Bent Box (1985-1990s), which produced small bent boxes using the traditional steaming and bending methods. However, beading was her first choice of creativity.
Each day our family thanks God for blessing us with Louise as our mother. She was a kind, loving mother and a woman of beauty, intelligence and integrity.
Louise was cremated at her request and her Funeral Service was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Hazelton on July 8, 2022.


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